This is not by any means an emergency, but rather a chicken health question.
I have an Ameraucana hen who I thought had hurt her leg when we got her. But, as time has passed and she has continued to hang out in the hen house, obviously with painful legs, I've come to the idea she may have scaly leg mites. I've not been able to find a good picture representing the effect of the mites on a chicken's legs. I've asked several people if they agree. Seems few people around here have seen this affliction.
My studies have produced the idea that oil or a kerosene/oil combination may be the solution. My girls are housed in a 50 year old wood structure and I am reluctant to consider spraying or brushing the roosts and nest boxes down with any flammable liquid in Arizona's heat.
At any rate.......I finally decided I would try mineral oil, I've got some. Search is on. Two years after moving, there are still things we can't find. But, alas, I find a spare jar of vaseline. Why do we need "2" jars of vaseline, I wonder. Oh well, I'll donate jar #2 to the girls, Tootsie specifically.
I greased her legs down good with the vaseline over the weekend. Trying to make sure to get the goop under the callouses. I've noticed a big difference in her since. She comes out on her own rather than waiting for me to put her in the dirt, she joins the rest of the flock to eat (still mindful of who's boss), she's walking better.
My mom came over today, and I got Tootsie out to ask her if she'd ever seen this, and was shocked to find most of the biggest callouses are gone. I'm going to bring her up to the house tomorrow, wash her legs good, and apply a fresh coat of vaseline.
So, after all that, my question is............do you all think I was right in my diagnosis, or did I get lucky with the vaseline idea? Any thoughts?
I have an Ameraucana hen who I thought had hurt her leg when we got her. But, as time has passed and she has continued to hang out in the hen house, obviously with painful legs, I've come to the idea she may have scaly leg mites. I've not been able to find a good picture representing the effect of the mites on a chicken's legs. I've asked several people if they agree. Seems few people around here have seen this affliction.
My studies have produced the idea that oil or a kerosene/oil combination may be the solution. My girls are housed in a 50 year old wood structure and I am reluctant to consider spraying or brushing the roosts and nest boxes down with any flammable liquid in Arizona's heat.
At any rate.......I finally decided I would try mineral oil, I've got some. Search is on. Two years after moving, there are still things we can't find. But, alas, I find a spare jar of vaseline. Why do we need "2" jars of vaseline, I wonder. Oh well, I'll donate jar #2 to the girls, Tootsie specifically.
I greased her legs down good with the vaseline over the weekend. Trying to make sure to get the goop under the callouses. I've noticed a big difference in her since. She comes out on her own rather than waiting for me to put her in the dirt, she joins the rest of the flock to eat (still mindful of who's boss), she's walking better.
My mom came over today, and I got Tootsie out to ask her if she'd ever seen this, and was shocked to find most of the biggest callouses are gone. I'm going to bring her up to the house tomorrow, wash her legs good, and apply a fresh coat of vaseline.
So, after all that, my question is............do you all think I was right in my diagnosis, or did I get lucky with the vaseline idea? Any thoughts?
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