The Poultry Keeper

peterrockell · Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 2 Location: devon england

hi
i keep about 25 chickens all different breeds. i have been told i can get a product called (condis crystals) i think i have splat it correct.for worming the chickens and de miting them .the same person told me to use burnt lime to kill the mites in the chicken house.is this correct. if so where can i get it from? if not what can i use to demite and worm them?
Cheers Pete

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Cheers yourself Pete. Very Happy

I use diatomous earth...aka diatom. I use it on the floor of the coop, to help with odors. Sprinkled in their scratch, to help with worms (the sharp little edges compromise the worm's casings and end up scratching them and killing them, all while not doing any harm to the bird). And I sprinkle it in their dust baths (which is a bit difficult as mine free range on a 10 acre farm and switch dust baths almost daily), to help control the mites (the sharp edges do the same to mites as they do to worms).

The chickens actually search out the diatom on the floor of the coop, scratching away the bedding to get to it. It is wonderful and completely natural. I don't like chemicals that much.

I can't help you on what to use IN your coop for the existing fleas/mites, as we are allowed to use different products over here.

NannyP · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 4:18 pm Post subject:

There is another product out now called Fossil Sheild, I saw it advertised in Practical Poultry magazine, it sounds the same as Diatom, and if I weren't sitting here mid multi tasking, I'd get mag and tell you where to buy it. However, I must carry on, so maybe later, meanwhile Diatom can be purchased here www.sprcentre.co.uk
Welcome from North Devon !!!!! Laughing

.............................
an hour has passed
Ok, have looked in mag now, Fossil Sheild can be obtained from
www.wheatcroftpoultry.co.uk (That's a fiver you owe me Alistair!!! Laughing

)