Dingle76 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Hello All Does anyone have any suggestions on the following 2 queries:- 1. A new Chicken moved in with our ex-bat flock last weekend. She has come from a home where her Chicken mate died of old age. She is much bigger than the ex-bats as she was a privately bought Chicken when the owner got her a couple of years ago. He says she is about 3 years old. My query is she is very stiff when she walks, I presume it's her age as our ex-bats are only about 2 but very lively. I wondered if there was anything I could give her to help her loosen up or is this just happens to the girls as they get older? 2. Due to the weather and Chicken poop there are quite lot of flies hanging around. I am sure I read previously about some sort of lime that you can spread for smells. Does anyone have any suggestions for making the area the girls hang around in less full of flies maybe by making the poo less attractive to the flies or something?? Whatever it is needs to be livestock friendly and veg friendly as when the girls move to a different patch we will be planting veggies in their current spot Any thoughts appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 If your old girl is stiff in her joints, Lifeguard in her water may help as it contains glucosamine. Do reassure yourself though that she is stiff and not 'waddling' which can be a sign of peritonitis. Regarding the flies, a bit of bokashi bran in food may help to a degree and a spritz of citronella (diluted) around the coop may help repel them. A fly trap is a must during the warmer weather too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I would try and remove the droppings each day to keep flies away and spray with diluted citronella but don't let the girls breathe it in. I would rake the area as well each day to bury the droppings Garden lime dug into soil neutralises and 'cleans' the soil of parasites, eggs etc., when the girls move to new patch . Not sure about the stiff legs as Chucky Mama says it could be a sign of peritonitis and agree a tonic such as lifeguard is good for lots of problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 We failed to get any good results moving the house etc, as just ended up with bald grass. So we slabbed the area the run sits on - then use Hemp bedding, and when the poop is removed (easy job to do) we sprinkle stalasan. It's been relatively easy to keep everything clean for quite a while - changing the litter every 4 to 6 months, and no real problems with flies. Good luck Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingle76 Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Thank you everyone for your comments and have spent about an hour staring at the new girl! I have also ordered some Bokashi bran and other bits and bobs for the land and now off to the garden centre to see if they have any of your other suggestions. Hopefully I will not have to resort to Chicken Yoga or something to supply her up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
