UPDATE AS OF January 2024:
The waterer is still working perfectly. I use a rag and dishwashing soap to clean it every once in a while. No build up, no leaks, no problems. And the girls are all grown up so don’t try to perch on the top anymore! 😜
My girls have a mild infestation of mites. I have the dust and use an infant nasal aspirator to poof the dust around their vents and the backs of their necks. There’s got to be a better way! The aspirator doesn’t suck up much powder and can’t be opened. Any suggestions would be welcome...
Try making it with a lot less water. I just wet it so it gets damp thru but not soupy. My girls think it’s a big treat because it looks different than their dry chow. 😜
The best thing to do is wrap your run in clear plastic sheeting. You can buy it by the 100’ roll from Amazon or get it at your local hardware or feed store. Another alternative is to use clear plastic shower liners that you can get at Walmart or the dollar store. I use a combination of both.
I’ve not had a problem (yet) with mites, but I keep elector PSP on hand for when that day arrives. I bought it from this site:
https://shopthechickenchick.com/products/elector-psp
My partridge Cochin, Shirley, is trying to cover her naked fanny, but her sisters keep picking her feathers out!! Any suggestions other than Blue Kote?
I noticed that you mentioned this is the first adult molt for at least one of your birds. My alpha, Butterfly, a Salmon Faverolles, molts hard - every year (she’s five now). She eats and drinks normally, but her poop gets runny and she sleeps a lot during the day. I also have birds who won’t...
I’d buy Kalmbach feed as it’s made in the town where I grew up, but it’s all got DE in it. I have limited lung function, so don’t want to take any chances. I do like the idea of the calf manna!
They’re already on an 18% protein feed. I’m a little more concerned with the lack of calcium. They’re on layer chow, but the shells are thinner than this time last year.
Has anyone made beef bone broth as an added source of calcium for their birds? My girls are in the midst of a supremely ugly molt and are not eating as much as they usually do. Plus, they seem to be ignoring the oyster shells and their eggs are getting pretty darned easy to crack.
I’m...