White dandruff on chook house floor?

[Snadger]

Whilst cleaning the chook house out recently I noticed there appears to be white dandruff on the chook house floor.
A few of the chooks are 'neck molting' and my younguns (18-19 weeks) are probably due a molt. Nothing to worry about I hope?

And before anyone asks........NO the white specks aren't moving and aren't some sort of bug. They are only under the roosting bars in the same area as the poo!

[Bephlam]

I have the same problem, but the girls breeder assured me that it was simply dander from their new feathers. They don't have mites, and are all healthy as anything, so I'm just assuming he's right...and worrying no more about it!!

[MaureenHall]

Mine have wood shavings and stuff in the coop, so I wouldn't notice really. The ex-batts are moulting but the youngsters aren't. I didn't think they moulted until they're about a year old - someone will no doubt put me right on this though

[Snadger]

Mine have wood shavings and stuff in the coop, so I wouldn't notice really. The ex-batts are moulting but the youngsters aren't. I didn't think they moulted until they're about a year old - someone will no doubt put me right on this though

I've maybe picked it up wrong then.......I thought they would molt before they layed?

With having to clean them out every other day I thought woodshavings were a waste of time under the roosting bars? It means I can shovel up the poo in that area only without putting woodshavings down each time. I have woodshavings on floor of main coop area and straw in the nestboxes!
I even toyed with laying the old kitchen floor lino down to make it easier to scrape up and clean down, but I'm a bit worried about mites getting under the lino!

[MaureenHall]

I've got lino on the floor of the coop as well, makes it easier to clean up and the lino can be taken out and washed. I do put red-mite powder all over the floor under the lino and in all the corners, edges etc. Never seen any evidence of lice or mites so it's preventative rather than curative

[frias]

My girls arrived as oven readies and some still have couple of bald patches. I have seen a few small feathers about so maybe they are going into a moult. I also use shavings so haven't noticed any other 'dandruff'. None of mine roost or perch to sleep so have to have something absorbant on the floor. I do have lino under the shavings but put red mite powder under it and haven't seen any mites or lice. (touch wood) I've got enough problems with the b***** worms!

[frias]

Oh look, Maureen does the same except she hasn't got worms!!!

[MaureenHall]

Maybe mine haven't got worms cos I give them ACV every other day or so (when I remember really ) Dunno really, I'll keep doing it though

[HayleyB]

I have newspaper under the roost which gets cleared up and composted and replaced daily. It works really well except last night they must have had a hen party cause a few of the sheets were all over the floor

[frias]

I also use ACV, garlic powder,Stalosan and worm every month but still can't get rid of the flippin things. I'm waiting delivery of second set of specimen pots to send off poo again to be tested for second time but I can still see the worms.

[lynda66]

i'm planning on having lino on the floor and walls sealed with sealant at the corners so no nooks and crannies for mites ..... and i can just turn the hose on it when it needs it

[HayleyB]

Snadger have you checked their legs for a condition I think may be called scabby leg caused by a tiny mite that lives in the cracks in their legs. Apparently it causes a type of eczema but can be solved by covering the legs with vaseline which kills the mites by suffocation. Was told about this at Hen School.

[HayleyB]

Umm it's called Scaly Leg

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseas...caly-leg-mites

[Snadger]

Umm it's called Scaly Leg

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseas...caly-leg-mites

Yep, some of them have scaly-ish legs but I put this down to their age?

Right, so not only have I to put vaseline on my leeks I've got to add it to the chooks legs now!

I'll do that at the weekend as a preventative measure......even if they aint got it! I'm looking for excuses to pick them up as I want them to get used to being handled!

btw......I love the idea of the newspapers, it will save me having to shovel it up. Thanks Hayley!

[HayleyB]

Yep, some of them have scaly-ish legs but I put this down to their age?

Right, so not only have I to put vaseline on my leeks I've got to add it to the chooks legs now!

btw......I love the idea of the newspapers, it will save me having to shovel it up. Thanks Hayley!

Glad to be of help for once Snadger .

I have used Frontline on Babs as a just in case measure (apparently also a cure). It's not licenced for use on chooks in this country but apparently vets say there are no contra-indications (confirmed by vet nurse at Hen School). Have to say Babs was not impressed being held up side down with a foul smelling puppy/cat flea/lice spray and it got in a cut in my hand and stung like hell .