Parasites and a Dust Bath - for everyone

Okay guys, I love raising chickens, but some aspects about it are just nasty. Rooster, (his name is Cogburn), started showing signs of mites on his comb. Those nasty things multiply faster than rabbits because in a few days it was beyond gross. It was time for a dust bath with DE (Diamtemaceous Earth). I read that in case it wasn't just mites, you might want to put vaseline on their combs, wattles and legs to smother the potential stick fleas. Well, we are using organic methods to raise these birds and our garden, so vaseline and DE it was...for everyone...

My husband went and purchased the goods and we geared up with gloves and dust masks to perform the deed. (By perform, I mean for our neighbors of course). I think it is safe to say that if there was any concern we had mites, it is long gone. We were covered in the DE too. First we started by luring them into their coop and locking the outside hatch. We proceeded to coat them in DE I-N-S-I-D-E the hen house. BAD IDEA. When we got finished with the first batch, we decided to lure them into the hen house and then take a couple at a time O-U-T for their coating. Clouds of dust billowed in the wind each time we released a chicken. I am convinced that our neighbors must look our direction and chuckle each time they see us outside working. Folks, you really should make sure to wear masks because this stuff can be harmful to your lungs. Seriously.

We usually do this on a more regular basis, but haven't done so since the onset of winter. Make sure that if you need to treat them for mites, fleas or lice that you clean out their coop at the same time so you can get a handle on the pests. Be sure to add a bit of the DE to the nest boxes, coop floor and corners as well. Insects like to hang around there and attack the hen while she is laying or nesting.

If you love your daily egg but are faint of heart, you should stop reading now. Really.

Now, on to the gross part... If your eggs are beginning to show brown smudges on them, it may be a sign that they have internal parasites (worms). You can treat the hens for that by adding a teaspoon of the DE to their feed, being careful to mix it in well, also making to sure clean and treat the coop. They can pass the parasites along through their feces. Other chickens may contract the parasites by eating the contaminated feces (as if feces isn't already contaminated). Certainly, there is always the possibility of complications or a more serious type of internal parasite. It is good practice to externally examine your hens regularly. Watch their feces and behavior and you should be able to keep them healthy and producing eggs.

Below you will find a picture from "OUR" dust baths. lol. (Video is coming soon). The entertainment value alone when you dust your chickens is priceless. If your neighbors don't thank you, your chickens will. ...with the added benefit or course, that you don't have mites...

And no, we did NOT dip the chickens in the DE, although it sure looks like it. We got a handful and rubbed it into all into their feathers. But we did hold them upside down.