How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[BethK]

I'm trying to get everything i need for our Chickens due to arrive after the local Air show in July.

 

So far i've got -

 

Aubiose bedding

Layers pellets

Disinfectant spray

 

Mixed Grit - How much of this do you give the chickens and how? I've read some that say give it in a separate bowl and others say mix it with the pellets.

 

Diatomaceous Earth - I've bought this to dust the coop once a week after cleaning, and also to dust the Chickens themselves once a week, is that right?

 

Tonic - I've read they need tonic to keep them in top health. On Amazon, when i search for Poultry Tonic, it comes up with numerous things, one of which is Wells Poultry Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Is this the same as the Tonic that they need? Or is this another thing entirely? How would you give this to the Hens? Would you add it to the water or put it in a separate bowl or give it through a dropper like rabbits have? How much would you give?

 

How often do you replace the Aubiose in the run? When you do replace it what do you do with the old stuff? I'm thinking of buying a compost bin to put it all in as you're not allowed to put it in the green garden waste council bin.

 

I think that's all my questions, sorry if some are a bit silly

[Chickabee]

 

This is my grit station. You need to feed it separately as the girls will just take what they need. Mine is raised off the ground, as the girls do like to scratch in it. So if it's in a bowl on the floor, you'll be forever filling it up.

 

I wouldn't use diatomaceous earth in the run once a week. It's not a disinfectant. You need something like biodry or nettex ground sanitizing powder. Also I wouldn't dust the girls that often. Dust them when you first get them, then every now and then.

 

Don't forget to ask when they need worming.

 

As for the aubiose you'll be able to see when it's dirty.

 

Tonic is a bit of a minefield, but if it helps I use oregostim. Most tonics are just put in their water, no hassle at all.

 

Your questions aren't silly. It's best to get as much info as you can. I didn't know anything when I got mine

 

Good luck, can't wait to see your photos

[Beantree]

We put our mixed grit in with the feed BethK. When it starts to build up we stop for a while. If it all disappears we add more. Just saves on an extra container, which really is the best way to provide grit. But we would need rather a lot.

 

We used to add Apple Cider Vinegar at 1% with water once a month. But couldn't perceive any benefit so stopped spending on it. We now use no additives at all. When they are first added we have noticed a reluctance to drink. At this time of year that's not what you want at all. However the occasional tonic may be beneficial over Winter, especially with a reduction in sunlight which has the potential to give thin eggshells. Vitamin D is transfer agent for Calcium from the bones to the eggshell I read.

[Chickabee]

I was advised against putting the grit in with feed Beantree. As you have no control over how much they are getting. Was advised it's best for them to have it separately. Have also read this in poultry mags

[jennie186]

Hi

I have 2chickens in a wir.

They get out for at least an hour a day so I don't give them mixed grit but I do give them oyster shell which they peck at In their run. I put it in a separate container a cup that hangs on the bars. The apple cider vinegar is for the pH levels

And I put a teaspoon in the water in the glug once a month but not sure if it does anything.

They also have a hanging water feeder and I put poultry drink in that one. They prefer that to the glug. And I think it's a tonic.

I use the diatom powder to dust under bars but dust the chickens with red mite powder. The diatom is brown and muddy but the mite powder is like talc and smells nice. I also spray total mite kill weekly as the Eglu is inside a Wendy house.

I Also use ivermectin spot on for mite control.

Also need ground sanitising powder to sprinkle on aubiose weekly. How often you change aubiose depends on how often you poo pick, if it gets wet, and what's underneath. I have my run on sand with aubiose on top and poo pick daily. It is well covered and I would say every 4 or 5 months. I just dump at bottom of Garden or dump. The sanatizing powder keeps it fresh.

You will need a wormer. Flubovet is best. I use the powder as my chickens eat mash but you can get pellets already dosed.

I also use garlic granules occasionally in their food but add poulty spice most days.

I give them brocolli or cabbage on a hanger and a Hand full mixed corn before bed.

Oh yes meal worms are the best treat and good to get them back in the run.

Hope this helps. You just accumulate chicken stuff once you look online!

[Beantree]

As I described Chickabee. I agree a separate container is certainly the best way. But it can be done without, just needs careful management. You still can't control how much an individual takes, either method.

 

Ivermectin carries up to 28 day egg withdrawal, so I wouldn't advise using that too often. That's a terrible waste of eggs.

 

I wouldn't spray Nettex without their actually being a mite problem. Mites will evolve immunity to it and the killing them will be a major problem as we have found in the past.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Guest

[Chickabee]

Found a really good beginners guide on durhamhens.co.uk. Worth a read BethK although it is mainly aimed at selling you their stuff. Just ignore that bit

[Luvachicken]

Hi BethK and welcome from me.

Any chance you are about to view/hear the Farnborough Air Show racket or is there another air show going on ?

If so then you could get everything you need from Rokers which is next to Merrist Wood/Guildford.

It has loads of stuff - horsey things, pet food, straw, hay, chicken stuff and a farm shop.

 

I get Stalosan F which is a ground sanitizer - bit expensive but lasts a long time,

Aubiose

Life Guard Tonic

Garvo food

Garvo treats

Nutridrops - expensive too but very useful for any chook not feeling it's best

And best of all they sell little galley pots that you can pop inside the run with some grit in - mine have 3, one for oyster shell, one for mixed grit and one for ground up egg shell.

 

Can't wait to see pictures when you get your chickens

[BethK]

Thanks ever so much everyone!

 

Will search for a ground sanitizer and also get mite spray for the eglu. The Diatom I was just going to powder the eglu after cleaning it to keep mites out.

 

Will also look for a container for the grit.

 

Thanks for all the brand suggestions, I'll look them up

 

And yes, worming, that's another thing for my list

 

It's the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire on the 11th - 13th July Luvachicken. They do the display over the fields surrounding our house and is incredibly noisy all weekend so it'd be kinder to get them after that

[BethK]

I've added some nettex ground sanitiser to my basket

Also some hanging cups for grit.

 

Where can I find a hanger for veg?

[Chickabee]

I don't use a hanger for mine. I have seen them though, try internet

[Luvachicken]

Hmm, least it seems like you will only have noise for a weekend then.

The Farnborough Air Show noise lasts for about 3 weeks because they practise so much before the end result.

 

Where can I find a hanger for veg?

 

I bought a couple of these for my girls. Excellent for all things like apples, broccoli,kale etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feathers-and-Beaky-Vegetable-Holder/dp/B005452LC6

[BethK]

Hmm, least it seems like you will only have noise for a weekend then.

The Farnborough Air Show noise lasts for about 3 weeks because they practise so much before the end result.

 

Where can I find a hanger for veg?

 

I bought a couple of these for my girls. Excellent for all things like apples, broccoli,kale etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feathers-and-Beaky-Vegetable-Holder/dp/B005452LC6

 

 

Unfortunately it's the same here.

 

There's already loads of noise as NATO have the stealth bombers here on a training exercise all month and they've already started coning off roads and we've got another month to go yet

 

They'll be practicing as soon as the bombers are done

[UKMARCH]

I have a tonic handy for use during a moult or times of stress so would be good for new hens. I just hang my veg with string or garden twine on hanging basket brackets in my run now, I did have a hanger once but one of my hens broke a lump off her break on it so stopped using it. I think it was because it swings and their aim is then off and hits the metal bits either that or she was pecking very hard. Its grown back now but still a bit crooked.

[BethK]

Thanks, I'll just hang it with twine

 

What tonic do you use?

[Luvachicken]

I have a tonic handy for use during a moult or times of stress so would be good for new hens. I just hang my veg with string or garden twine on hanging basket brackets in my run now, I did have a hanger once but one of my hens broke a lump off her break on it so stopped using it. I think it was because it swings and their aim is then off and hits the metal bits either that or she was pecking very hard. Its grown back now but still a bit crooked.

 

I'm sorry one of your girls hurt their beak.

Was it one of those Feather and Beaky ones ? I have those and they bounce