How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] [CHICKENS101] New Rooster/snow

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Re: [CHICKENS-101] [CHICKENS101] New Rooster/snow

The same holds true for many parasites. The eggs survive cold and freezing and still hatch with the thaws and the thaws help spread them. HEAT does kill, so manure piles are allowed to COOK before spreading the compost.
We are diligently fighting parasites that our alpacas and goats are susceptible to and it is an ongoing battle. The worst we've encountered are Barber Pole worms and they are killers if left undetected or untreated. Sadly, many times there are symptoms, it is too late.
I think very cold helps control the mosquito population a bit but not even sure about that.
Laura

On Feb 3, 2014 10:27 PM, "Dale Clark" <redbird.dale@gmail.com> wrote:

Actually cold does not kill very many insects. I used to think that also until I got into the pest control field. They can stay frozen for long periods if they are sheltered and still live. Weather extremes disrupt their breeding cycles. If you have a warm winter they are more active and breed more. That is why we have a boom in population of some insects after a warm winter and a lot less insects after a cold winter. Moisture also plays a role.

Dale

On Sun, Feb 2, 2014 at 12:20 PM, CathrynTherese <cathryntherese@yahoo.com> wrote:

Deb, The snow and cold also kill insects and are why we do not have a variety or large population of venomous snakes and scorpions. Our REAL Michigan winter caught me unprepared this year and I had a good 60 4 - 4.5 - 5 month old coddled silkies get soundly chilled when outdoor temps dropped to -10 -11 with a windchill of -40. I have run a heater for them since, and had to put the ones who developed an illness from being chilled down. They had heat lamps and 90 and 100 watt heat areas, but it was not enough. My egg layers are in the other chick barn because we had a tornado come down just far enough to rip the 3 heavy duty thick tarp roof with supports off their pens. Took the ropes that go across, criss crossing tied down, hold each layer so the wind can get it, off too. My chicks went into the main barn in their own half of the barn.

Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM in Michigan