Chickabee Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Got my first ever case of scaley leg mite. Only one chicken and only one leg. What's the best way to treat it? Do I need to treat all the birds. Does it live in the coop or just on the bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Get some scaly leg mite spray. I usually do all mine at the same time, just in case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Thanks. Have ordered some , this will be fun these are the chooks that do not like to be handled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 We've actually learnt about this in Parasitology this week. Scaly leg mite are called Cnemidocoptes mutans that burrow underneath the scales of the legs and feet. You can use Ivermectin spot on or topical ointments once a week for 4 weeks. There are lots of products available from Pets at Home or your local poultry supplier, personally I prefer the ointments to the sprays. Best done at night as they roost if they aren't used to being handled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Thanks Lewis, she's a big bird, welsummer, great advise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I spray them when they're settling for the night, they're much less likely to try and scarper . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Smother in sudocrem it works brilliantly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I was going to say that but it's hard to know if it's worked as the scales remain raised so I carry on with some Vaseline and Invermectin. The sudocrem is good though and softens the scales so they go smoother again. I treated all of them and changed the run material to prevent reinfection. Don't know if that's part of the life cycle though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 Thanks everyone. Couldn't believe how heavy the welsummer was when I lifted her out. I think she's a turkey in disguise. As none of them are laying, I think I'll use invermectin too on them all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 If you use spot on regularly as a preventative, then they won't get mites. But some scaly leg spray, or one containing permethrin (not licensed for use on poultry in the UK) will work. Use a soft toothbrush and work it up under the scales. The scales will remain raised, but the crusts underneath will go when the mites die. Don't be tempted to pick at the manky looking scales; they will be replaced att he next moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I'm reluctant to use insecticides as the mites (or any bug) can evolve resistant strains. We have experienced this with red mite. Our treatment is just to soak the leg in Olive Oil which creeps between the scales and suffocates the mites. In a bad case a wrap with lint soaked in oil and then bandage. This method has never failed us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 If you want to avoid insecticides, then Sudocrem is the next best in my opinion. My grandad used to use the oil method, athough in those days they used tractor engine oil, which I wouldn't recommend now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Have you heard of Neem oil. I used to use it on my horse who had mites on her legs. It's completely natural (stinks) but soothes the animal and suffocates the mite. Worth a try do you think ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Almost anything oily will work. The downside is that it attracts rubbish, which sticks to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I used Neem oil in my Dissertation to kill red mite, it does work but the problem with essential oils are that they're volatile and so evaporate quickly at low temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
