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Doris replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Broody hen in Micro Livestock
"Hi Carol
I had 4 go broody and they were 2 per box when it was 110 outside a couple of weeks ago. I figured if it was too hot they would move and join the others in the shade and misters. Now there are only 2 left and they are all okay."
Jul 8, 2015
Kelly Liston replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Broody hen in Micro Livestock
"I had a broody hen once.  I had read that dipping them in a bucket of cooler water will lower their body temp a bit and trick their brain into thinking they aren't broody anymore.  People that wrote about this said they had immediate success.  It…"
Jul 8, 2015
Carol Duffell posted a discussion in Micro Livestock
One of my Marans has gone broody. I have tried just shutting her out of the coop but when the others want to go in to lay it gets difficult. I put her in a wire crate but can't remove the plastic tray as I discovered the wire on the bottom of the…
Jul 8, 2015
Carol Duffell replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"I have just read somewhere that if I treat my chickens with Praziquantrel (tapeworm meds) the egg withdrawal is 45 days.  Other research indicates 7 - 14 days, does anyone know? 45 days seems a bit extreme."
May 13, 2015
Alison McKee replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"Silvia is correct, the heat from the composting process should kill any micro organisms.  Make sure you keep the compost moist and turn it often.  Also, a 3 ft deep pile is needed to get the temps where they need to be, 140 - 165 f.  I recommend a…"
May 7, 2015
Carol Duffell replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"Thank you for all your advice."
May 7, 2015
raf evan replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"there seems to be no outright parasites transmissible from chicken poop to humans. Salmonella, and maybe shigella, could be transmitted via chicken droppings, but these are bacteria-- they are not animals.
chicken poop on low-lying vegies could pose…"
May 6, 2015
Silvia Messmer replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"The heat from the composting materiel should break down any chemicals that the chickens may have excreted, but you can just exclude the waste if you don't feel comfortable using it.  How long to wait?  As long as the medication's directions say…"
May 6, 2015
Carol Duffell replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"Thank you, that puts my mind at rest. Should I keep their waste out of the compost if they are ever chemically treated?"
May 6, 2015
Silvia Messmer replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Parasites in compost pile. in Micro Livestock
"Chicken waste and litter make great compost!  Remember that any parasites your chickens pick up came from their environment, so the parasites they might have can come from anywhere in your yard including where you already grow veggies. 

Luckily the…"
May 6, 2015
Carol Duffell posted a discussion in Micro Livestock
All my chicken waste and wood chips currently go straight into the compost bin. Could anyone please tell me that if my chickens have any parasites or worms, will this be harmful? Once fully composted the soil will go onto my vegetable planters and I…
May 6, 2015
dj griffith replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Chickens and snakes in Micro Livestock
"Yes."
Aug 12, 2014
Rachel replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Are these eggs safe to eat? in Micro Livestock
"It depends on the temperature. Eggs degrade and bacteria multiply as a function of time and temperature combined. If the eggs have already been exposed to 12 hours of veerrrry warm daytime temperatures and then go inside to an 80 degree house, they…"
Aug 10, 2014
Catherine, The Herb Lady replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Chickens and snakes in Micro Livestock
"Probably.  The chickens will pretty much eat anything that comes into their pens if they can catch it - they may sadly get a hold of baby song birds which fall from nests.  Some of the reasons for keeping critters out of the pens with good sturdy…"
Aug 10, 2014
Rachel replied to Carol Duffell's discussion Chickens and snakes in Micro Livestock
"Yes. She would have killed and eaten a snake that small."
Aug 10, 2014
Carol Duffell posted a discussion in Micro Livestock
One of my chickens caught a small snake (about 10" long) yesterday and ran off with it. She was chased by the others so ended up dropping it and it escaped into the grass. I just wondered if she would have killed it and or eaten it?
Aug 10, 2014
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