Question for chicken keepers re moulting

[amandakm]

i have had our lovely chickens since august, they were ex-batts that i took on from a friend who had re-homed them from the battery but then couldn't manage them. They have been very healthy, settled quickly, have plenty of space, good diet etc, they still seem very perky and bright, but two have lost a lot of feathers, i know they are supposed to moult but thought they did this in late summer/autumn, could the feather loss be due to other reasons. Also their run is on grass, well mud now, will they get foot problems being on mud all the time, should i put some slabs in during the wet weather? many thanks all

[maryjane]

I would put a couple of slabs in, they do like to get off the wet ground. have you watched them to see if they are pecking each other. keep an eye on that, if thats the case the only thing that worked when mine did this was genson violets.

[amandakm]

no not pecking each other, hadn't really thought of that as they all seem very settled and content, will keep watch for a couple of days, anyone recommend a good chicken vet around hillsborough area? thanks

[Chez2]

It is a bit late for moulting but not if they haven't been long out of the farm. My chooks moulted late this year.

 

There is a proper poultry specialist in Retford which isn't as far away as you might think. They charge a fraction of the price of Vets and do test swabs etc in their own lab.

[amandakm]

thanks chez , seem really bright otherwise, will keep a close eye for another day, retford sounds good

[Chez2]

Check they haven't got lice etc on a regular basis. Check their coop at night for redmite. Run a white tissue around the perch etc. If you see red on the tissue its redmite. A bad infestation can kill chickens as they suck thier blood.

 

I put pallets down over the boggy bits of ground in winter. This allows the grass to grow in between the slats of wood and I can move them around. They can get problems been on wet or poopy floors. If you put slabs down you will have to wash and brush them on a regular basis.

[amandakm]

pallets, excellent idea will fetch some from allotment, will check again for redmite havent see anything though thanks again.

[terminator]

I can vouch for this if you need to spray them although i used to make my own up http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200ml-HARKERS-DURAMITEX-PLUS-RED-MITE-SPRAY-/130332464269?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Birds&hash=item1e586b948d

Ive used it on wild birds canarys budgies finchers parrots the lot.Just make sure all food and drinking water is removed.

[Chez2]

You won't see redmite unless you are in the coop after dark or take some of it apart. They hide during the day and come out at night to suck blood.

 

Is there any egg withdrawal with duramitex? I used to use it years ago but it was withdrawn. I used to buy the concentracted stuff in bottles that you had to dilute. I didn't realise it was available again. I have used ant powder with permethrin in but diatom is best and its chemical free.

[terminator]

You won't see redmite unless you are in the coop after dark or take some of it apart. They hide during the day and come out at night to suck blood.

 

Is there any egg withdrawal with duramitex? I used to use it years ago but it was withdrawn. I used to buy the concentracted stuff in bottles that you had to dilute. I didn't realise it was available again. I have used ant powder with permethrin in but diatom is best and its chemical free.

Ive still been using the undiluted liquid myself.Never had any issues with eggs people i do know that use the new Duramitex also no issues.Would agree they do hide but you may catch them on birds if you look under there wings right on joint near chest.Will look like dried blood if theres any there.