Chicken husbandry

Re: Chicken husbandry

S-J — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:34:31 GMT

just collected my 3 new chucks ex battery so looking a bit henpecked compared to my 3 pretty ones

Re: Chicken husbandry

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:54:05 GMT

Contact Louise she is Chicken mad!!!

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/members/Louisesadieandshads/default.aspx

Re: Chicken husbandry

Vicky RVN — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:52:46 GMT

I'll suggest the spaghetti ball to my sister! Hers are fussy and when she's tried hanging things they don't touch it, silly birds!

Re: Chicken husbandry

funkyfish — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:13:47 GMT

Wow thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the spag idea!!! will give it a go!!

xxx

Re: Chicken husbandry

Carli Dodd — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:09:55 GMT

My client has used a cat treat feeder ball in the past but has recently adapted a hamster exercise ball!! Apparently making the slits in it a bit bigger has made the perfect chicken spagetti dispenser!!!!

Re: Chicken husbandry

NorthernLass — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:56:51 GMT

I use Stalosan powder in the coop to stop the red mites getting a hold. Also put it into the sand they use for dust bathing. Works vv well, but you have to buy a huge amount< last forever tho'

Shredded paper seems favourite, hay and straw tends to be dusty/have mites

I like Auboise too, Prefer mash to pellets, as gives them more to do

Think the spagetti idea brilliant: will try this at the weekend

Re: Chicken husbandry

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:49:57 GMT

[quote user="Carli Dodd"]

One of my favourite chicken clients cuts up spagetti into 'worm lengths' and puts them inside a ball that the chickens push round and the 'worms' fall out - she says it's the most fun thing to watch in the world!!??!

[/quote]

wow!!! what a great idea! what sort of ball do they use??

Re: Chicken husbandry

Carli Dodd — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:28:28 GMT

Sounds like you're well on your way to creating a fab chicken home!

Recently we've had a lot of calls about red spider mite and northern fowl mite infestations, (not sure if the weird weather has created a boom!?!) If you do have a problem with mites then we tend to receommend treating the chuck(s) with fiprinol (100ml spray bottle) one spray under each wing and one down the back, make sure you do this outside as the propellent can cause a bit of irritation if done inside. 'Treat' the henhouse with Indorex spray - remove all birds from coup spray thoroughly and leave well ventilated. Birds can be returned 8 hours after spraying.

I would say that running a faecal parasitology is always a good idea, esp before putting chickens on new ground as some of the parasites can be impossible to shift if they get in the soil (coccidia imparticularly!) Also means that if they're clear you wont need to use any treatment!

Hope that helps, have fun with the chucks!

Re: Chicken husbandry

funkyfish — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:22:52 GMT

Thanks that helps!

Re: Chicken husbandry

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:50:24 GMT

We use Flubenvet(sp) once a year for ours and we have yet to use mite control. We don't live in an area for infestation (knock on wood)! I usually scrub the coop every three months or so with Safe4 and we use Auboise or shavings for bedding. I found straw to be too messy and damp. We also use Growers/Layers and Oats(uncracked) We also feed grit and lots of greens. they get kitchen scraps minus; citrus, raw potato or onions and of course chicken. Hope this helps :)