hi all just got some chicktec egg wash has anyone used this , ive just purchased a bottle to clean my eggs for eating NOT incubating , is it as simple as put 10ml of liquid in 2l of 34 degree c water put eggs in and wipe clean then air dry ye
chicktec egg wash
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chrismahon
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We've used it for incubating I think, but the second lot we bought was a Brinsea product and the new stuff is Ferme de Beaumont?
This is an expensive way to clean eggs dye29 and you will have to keep them refrigerated and consume in 3 days as you may have removed the bloom that seals the shells. A solution of washing-up liquid would be just as good perhaps?
This is an expensive way to clean eggs dye29 and you will have to keep them refrigerated and consume in 3 days as you may have removed the bloom that seals the shells. A solution of washing-up liquid would be just as good perhaps?
Just looked up chicktech egg wash https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Egg_Wash_Liquid_powder.html and it says to soak dirty eggs for up to 10 minutes. Doesn't say anything about wiping them clean, so where does the dirt go? This stuff must be used commercially, judging by the sizes of pack you can buy, and it also talks about dipping the eggs in water at 35C and rotating them in a drum, which is strange as I thought it was illegal to sell washed eggs.
I shall stick to just a gentle wash under the cold tap where needed, shortly before using the eggs. Cold water is better than warm as the bacteria in the dirt are then less likely to penetrate the egg pores. Really no need for detergent of any kind, I think, - mud and poo wash off quite easily and detergent is likely to remove even more of the protective bloom on the egg.
I shall stick to just a gentle wash under the cold tap where needed, shortly before using the eggs. Cold water is better than warm as the bacteria in the dirt are then less likely to penetrate the egg pores. Really no need for detergent of any kind, I think, - mud and poo wash off quite easily and detergent is likely to remove even more of the protective bloom on the egg.
bigyetiman
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We just give any dirty eggs a wipe with a damp piece of kitchen towel. Which is enough to get any dirt from mucky feet off. If only we could get them to wipe their feet 1st
rick
Active member
Hi Dye,
Anti peck spray is usually (pretty much exclusively) based on a substance called Bitrex. It is used in many (very many) commercial products to make them extremely unpalatable, usually for safety reasons. Well known as the bitterest substance on Earth but also non toxic. A bit like chilli in that way - unbearably 'hot' but with no actual harmful effect (arguable after a night involving an n-strength curry!)
It tastes a bit like the pith of a grapefruit but several thousand times more unpleasant! Yes, I have tasted it just to find out!!!!
Chickens are quite fond of garlic - well, within reason.
Just buy a can of anti-peck spray if you need it (so commercially common it is quite cheap.) It has worked for me to stop pecking of pin feathers on my cockerel's feet as long as you keep applying it though I found that hiding the pin feathers under a shield was more consistently effective without the constant attention that would otherwise be needed (feet are relatively easy to hide/shield, bottoms and other places are very difficult to hide.) Be careful where it is sprayed - if it gets on the food they wont eat it and it can stop them preening (never spray it near their preen gland at least). As with all things, in moderation and for a purpose.
I'm reading between the lines but are your hens pecking the pin feathers that are coming through after the bare bottom goings on? If they are you need to set up a partition to keep the offenders away from the victims, just until the pins have grown out. I know this will be a real pain but it is the only practical way. It wont take long - pins develop quite quickly and then you should be back in the clear but if feather pecking becomes a set habit then you will have a real fight on your hands - especially with 15 hens to manage.
Anti peck spray is usually (pretty much exclusively) based on a substance called Bitrex. It is used in many (very many) commercial products to make them extremely unpalatable, usually for safety reasons. Well known as the bitterest substance on Earth but also non toxic. A bit like chilli in that way - unbearably 'hot' but with no actual harmful effect (arguable after a night involving an n-strength curry!)
It tastes a bit like the pith of a grapefruit but several thousand times more unpleasant! Yes, I have tasted it just to find out!!!!
Chickens are quite fond of garlic - well, within reason.
Just buy a can of anti-peck spray if you need it (so commercially common it is quite cheap.) It has worked for me to stop pecking of pin feathers on my cockerel's feet as long as you keep applying it though I found that hiding the pin feathers under a shield was more consistently effective without the constant attention that would otherwise be needed (feet are relatively easy to hide/shield, bottoms and other places are very difficult to hide.) Be careful where it is sprayed - if it gets on the food they wont eat it and it can stop them preening (never spray it near their preen gland at least). As with all things, in moderation and for a purpose.
I'm reading between the lines but are your hens pecking the pin feathers that are coming through after the bare bottom goings on? If they are you need to set up a partition to keep the offenders away from the victims, just until the pins have grown out. I know this will be a real pain but it is the only practical way. It wont take long - pins develop quite quickly and then you should be back in the clear but if feather pecking becomes a set habit then you will have a real fight on your hands - especially with 15 hens to manage.
I expect Bitrex is in the stuff you can buy to paint on fingernails to stop you biting them. I used it on her favourite door frames when our dog was a puppy and at the chewing stage, and it worked! I never connected it with anti-peck spray.
Are you sure you need it, Dye? I've never found that they peck new pin feathers, so unless you can see blood on bare areas, I would leave well alone.
Are you sure you need it, Dye? I've never found that they peck new pin feathers, so unless you can see blood on bare areas, I would leave well alone.
If theres no sign of blood they're not being pecked. If theres any blood, then do as Rick suggests, observe them to find out which one(s) are doing the pecking and separate the culprits from the victims. Spray affected areas with Septiclens on the ones that show blood.
When you say 'raw', do you mean the skin is red but intact, or that the skin is red and the surface is open and sore and weeping, but not bleeding?
If it's intact but red, don't worry, just let it be, and let the tender new feather shafts grow out. Chickens really don't like any interference or handling when they're growing new feathers, as the new shafts are very tender.
If the skin is open and weeping, spray it with Septiclens, which will disinfect it and the purple colour will deter other birds from taking any interest in it.
When you say 'raw', do you mean the skin is red but intact, or that the skin is red and the surface is open and sore and weeping, but not bleeding?
If it's intact but red, don't worry, just let it be, and let the tender new feather shafts grow out. Chickens really don't like any interference or handling when they're growing new feathers, as the new shafts are very tender.
If the skin is open and weeping, spray it with Septiclens, which will disinfect it and the purple colour will deter other birds from taking any interest in it.
rick
Active member
This may not be the cause Dye, and I'm not sure how long the redness has been going on, but be careful that you haven't got too much diatom around the roost. If you gently rub a bit of it on the back of your hand you'll see that its actually quite abrasive and irritating. You just need it in the corners not everywhere. If it is everywhere, just wipe it off the flat surfaces with a damp cloth.
And in any case, there's no need to use it in winter when it's far too cold for red mite to be a problem.
Diatom is actually rather dangerous stuff. If it's inhaled and gets into your lungs it's just as abrasive as on your skin, and can cause all sorts of problems, from asthma and bronchitis to lung cancer. Not good for the hens to breathe it in, either. Maybe next year, use it made up as a paste with some water and just paint it on round the places like perch ends where the mites would gather.
rick
Active member
dye29 said:
I think mine is Netex - very common brand. But they should all be very similar (Just Bitrex solution in a can.)
What colour is your 'anti peck' spray? If it is purple/blue then it is wound spray and, despite its purpose to take attention away from wounds, it can attract some general attention to a chicken.
Anti peck spray is clear like water and should be invisible to the hens. Never spray them all over.
valeriebutterley
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I know you have to be so careful with Diatom, but I think there is nothing more effective. About twice a year, bearing in mind all of my girls are sweethearts naturewise, I get a bristle paint brush, dip in Diatom and dust head and neck and fluffy bum at the first sign of trouble from redmites.
It does seem to work overall, as it splits their shells, goodbye redmite!
I have heard that some keepers roll their pellets in it, then they never have worm problems, I have not tried this one.
It does seem to work overall, as it splits their shells, goodbye redmite!
I have heard that some keepers roll their pellets in it, then they never have worm problems, I have not tried this one.
dinosaw
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Try seperating one of your birds from the others but keep them in view of their mates. If the feathers grow back then you know for sure you have a pecking problem. You can then start to narrow down who the culprit is by separating different groups but depending on the amount of space they have then it might just be boredom related throughout the whole flock. I would say 99% of the time you get feather loss like you describe it's going to be pecking whether you can see them doing it or not and you don't need to see signs of blood for it to be pecking either.
ok today i hid at my garden so hens couldnt see and sat and watched them for a hour i have 13 brown hens and 2 light sussexs . as i watched them the 2 light sussexs ones were going round and pecking every hen so today i have seperated both white ones from the flock until the brown ones feathers grow back i put one white one alone in its own run and the other with my vorwerk hens seem to get on better with them never seen it peck at all . the reason i asked about pecking spray was i sprayed all my hens tushes and that seemed to make the hens want to peck them even more this is what i used https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Net-Tex-Anti-Feather-Pecking-Spray-250ML-OR-500ML-Chicken-feather-pecking/300909696863?hash=item460f9d975f:m:mkJIu-OZPQRfWxEr_4r4AjA . is there any sort of vitamin or suppliment i can give my hens to help them grow feathers abit quicker thanks steven
