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noob's question on chickens

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  • 19-05-2014 9:22pm
    #1
    tsuzmir
    Registered Users Posts: 173 ✭✭


    i got 2 ex battery hens and when last week i picked them up to look for any insects that might be living on them. I found that in fact there seem to be loads of white small insects on both of them around their vents. I used Diatomaceous Earth as instructed but today - few days later - the insects are still there. should i re apply the powder?
    also, i was told I should give them worm treatment twice a year - is it onlky available from vet or can i buy it somewhere else?

    thanks!


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    #2
    Oldtree
    Registered Users Posts: 8,104 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    Who did you adopt them from, can they not advise you?

    If not maby give these a ring:

    http://www.adoptapet.ie/rescues/littlehillanimalrescue/


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    #3
    gozunda
    Registered Users Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    tsuzmir wrote: »
    i got 2 ex battery hens and when last week i picked them up to look for any insects that might be living on them. I found that in fact there seem to be loads of white small insects on both of them around their vents. I used Diatomaceous Earth as instructed but today - few days later - the insects are still there. should i re apply the powder?
    also, i was told I should give them worm treatment twice a year - is it onlky available from vet or can i buy it somewhere else?

    thanks!
    !

    Sounds like regular poultry mites or possibly lice

    DC earth is not particularly effective in the control of these in my opinion. Use something like pyrethrum dust which is derived from the Pyrethrum plant.

    Check online - there are many good online poultry sites that will help you with advice

    Useful site here

    http://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/worming-chickens

    Best of luck with the new arrivals..


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    #4
    aonb
    Registered Users Posts: 3,277 ✭✭✭aonb


    Not sure how effective Diatom earth is for getting rid of lice (as opposed to a preventative). They obviously came to you infested - better to get rid of them fast if they are ex-battery (the hens wont be so robust the poor things) You could use the Diatom Earth in the crevices and cranny's of their coop, to keep the lice etc away after you have de-infested them. I havent used pyrethrum dust so cant comment.

    On worming, yes they should be wormed at least twice/year. The most effective wormer is FLUBENVET - available from good poultry suppliers - I get it from Floods in Newbridge - with only 2 hens, a tub (around E20) will last you years! Or you can of course get it online - amazon does it, Old McDonald in Carlow has it too I believe


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