Another question about hens

**happyathome** · 11-01-2004, 12:45 PM

I have 3 hens in a huge cage. They are moved every other day onto fresh grass. The question I have is what does one use to prevent the hens getting lice? Is there anything I can put in their water trough?
AS a matter of interest I thought I would add this- in New Zealand eggs are produced for the supermarkets using the battery method (most cruel - 2 hens to a small cage where they can not even turn around -lose their feathers-cannabalism- animal rights people have been trying to have this typeof egg production outlawed for years). Well because of this method the colour of the egss yolks are insipid SO 1 teaspoon of this colouring agent is added to 1 tonne!!! of poultry food and -walah- the egg yolks are a nice yellow colour!! Now does that make you sick or what.That stuff must be so potent if so little can colour the yolks for thousands of eggs. Before I subscribed to a organic growing magazine I had no idea. Praise God for my 3 little hens -I feed them organic mash and know what they eat is good so it is good for my family.

**forestdale** · 11-01-2004, 04:12 PM

Hi happyathome and welcome to the village.

I been keeping chooks for years now and have always kept them healthy and chemical free. It's horrible what they do to animals and birds for the sake of overfeeding our portly human stomachs.

The best way to keep chooks mite and lice-free is to give them access to dirt and dust. They take dust baths to keep themselves clean and free of insects. Can you move their cage to a dry area that doesn't have any grass? I use a crushed clove of garlic added to their drinking water for general heatlh. I think it helps with the mites too.

**happyathome** · 11-02-2004, 12:38 AM

Thank you for that advice. I had heard about the garlic but was not sure how to administer it.

**kimmee** · 11-02-2004, 12:46 AM

I personally , have never had a problem with bugs cuz they d roll in the dirt - but then my chickens are at large. And I also ive them scraps - particularly cooked noodles with garlic so that is perhaps what has kept me so fortunate !! Good luck with yours - I REALLY like raising chickens. What kind do you have??

**happyathome** · 11-02-2004, 04:14 AM

I would like to have my hens free- range but am not allowed to as the owner of the farm does not like chook poo every where.
My hens are Orpington but I would like to get some red shavers one day also.