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Subscriber Letters

Andrée : Hello again Gina. I have always loved your letter… thank you. My Egyptian houdan is molting, but also seems to be scratching too much and I suspect mites. I have read many ways to cure mites and would like to stay away from pesticides. I use DE in the laying area. Do you have any other natural ways to clean the coop and get rid of mites on the birds?? thanks AST

My Reply : There are some products labeled natural on the shelves but I have noticed that they often specify the active ingredient is food grade D.E. so I have personally always just gone for that (I put some in an old talcum powder container and occasionally poof a little over/under them when they have their bums in the air eating mealworms before they go to bed, and also put a little in their bedding and dustbath when they are changed). For cleaning the coop naturally, obviously all bedding should be removed and anything else that can be removed as well. If you can get your vacuum cleaner near enough then vacuuming in all the crevices can help remove the mites and their eggs, also giving it a good steam clean is another natural method, once dry, new bedding and a dusting of food grade D.E. should hopefully greatly reduce, if not remove all the mites, but you will probably want to do it all again a few days later and then perhaps a week after that to catch any eggs that might have hatched and obviously keep a regular check to make sure all are gone.

Lin : Hi Gina, as always LOVE your newsletter. Thank you. I have seen in your newsletter about how to clip chicken wings. Would you please send me info about that again? I have a little sea-bright rooster that needs to learn to stay in the chicken yard with the ladies. I am hoping this will help. He is a great "watch dog" and lets me know when we have company or the neighborhood dog comes visiting. Beautiful little guy but way too social and nosey. Thanks for your time and help. Lin from Minnesota

My Reply : There is a bit of info and a video on the blog here :
http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.co.uk/2007/09/wing-clipping-clipping-wings-of-chicken.html
The main thing to remember is that although the term refers to the plural (wings) it is actually only one wing that is cut so that he will be too off balance to fly properly (that is the theory anyway).

Becky : Do you know what else besides bananas that I can give my chickens as a treat? Thanks!!

My Reply : Likes/dislikes can vary with individuals and there is probably not much they wouldn't eat given half a chance but in terms of treats most seem to love mealworms, pasta and seedless grapes (of course always in moderation - ideally their balanced layers feed should be 90% of their daily intake).

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