happy hen Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Hello, not been on for awhile but first place I thought of when discovering my beautiful frizzle cockerel Chedworth has scaly leg mite. . Had noticed he was hobbling a bit but couldn’t find anything wrong but took him to the vets at the weekend. She was not a chicken expert and has said she will get hold of of some drugs from a chicken specialist but I have treated him for four days with Vaseline and already a huge improvement. Just wanted to ask, have seen that using surgical spirit in conjunction with Vaseline works well, how many days of each do you do? Have treated all my hens with Vaseline too, only one with slightly pink legs so think others okay. What is the best product for disinfecting my Eglu cube and Eglu classic please? The vet also told me to keep him in solitary confinement which he is not happy about and I feel he would be fine back in with his girls. What does anybody advise? She did say she had only examined a chicken once or twice in the past, so although she was very helpful, I think members of the forum are much more knowledgeable when it comes to chicken health! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Ok, so don't use surgical spirit - it stings them like heck. Use the Nettex scaly leg spray, spray it onto a soft toothbrush and gently apply to the legs, brushing upwards so that it gets under the scales. Follow dosing instructions carefully and the mites will die. You won't see an immediate improvement in the appearance of the legs as the scales will remain looking raised and 'scabby' until the bird moults again. Please don't feel tempted to pick at any loose scales. I am guessing that you don't have a regular preventative programme with a spot on, so it's best to speak to a chicken-savvy vet about that - these products aren't licenced yet for use on poultry, but they'll prescribe a product containing Ivermectin, which should be used quarterly (my vet prescribes a cattle pour-on called Ivomec Eprinex). This will stop them picking up any lice and mites in future, but you need to be consistent as with cats and dogs. There are threads in the FAQ section on this. The housing should be treated with Total Mite Kill ready to use spray (can be refilled with the TMK concentrate), clean and then spray with this, followed by Buz Busters powder in all the nooks and crannies. Do this every 3 days until the mites/lice have gone and all your flock is clear - pick them up and inspect carefully around the vent area. Once they are clear you can revert to using this regime weekly, and the spot-on every quarter. If you keep to this, you shouldn't have any problems with lice or mites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Thanks for your speedy response. Some lumps of scales have fallen off! when I’ve been applying the Vaseline, obviously softened already. Do you think it’s okay to put him back in with his girls? Have kept chickens in an Eglu for many years now and the first time I have had problem. Where do they pick the mites up from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 The mites come from free ranging over ground where there've been wild birds. If he has been separated for a while then you'll need to follow the introduction procedure, see FAQ section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Thanks, he has only been separated since Saturday so think will be fine. He is very good natured! Will order the treatments now and continue with the Vaseline until they arrive. (will also update my list of hens as flock expanded since I was last on the forum!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy hen Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 An update on Chedworth and his scaly legs! The Nettex treatment not yet arrived but have continued the Vaseline every day for him and every other day for the rest of the flock. Just given his legs a wash with baby shampoo and most of the scaly bits have now fallen off and his legs clear underneath. Will apply the Nettex to them all when it arrives but no obvious signs on the others. Thanks for your advice 🐓 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 No worries, just make sure that you get a spot-on preventative regime sorted out, or you'll get it all over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
