2nd hand Silkies ~ not sure what to do with them? *pics!*

[KellyHM]

So what do you guys see in the pics that look like mites? I've never seen them before, so just wondering.

 

[onthespot]

every free silkie I have ever got has had bad leg mites. I give them a couple drops of ivermecin injectible in their beaks, then rub their legs thoughoughly with vaseline or something like it. Vicks works if you don't have vaseline. Don't let them share perches or boxes or anything until it clears up. Takes a few weeks. Re-apply vaseline weekly. Make sure you rub it up a half inch or so into the feathered parts. I am jealous. I'd take them off your hands, even trade you for some white, non-nippy ones!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
It's that the scales are lifted. Scales should be smooth. If you do a google image search of scaley leg mites, you'll see lots of pics of the various levels of the problem.

 

[redhead83402]

Onthespot ~ honestly, I'd take the trade, but sadly, I am in Idaho ~ I just don't have an extra space for them outside that would be safe. I thought that they could co-exist with my larger hens, but after reading UrbanChickenFamily's post, I am thinking that would be a poor choice on my part.

Also, where do you get Ivermecin? I think I will try that & some tea-tree oil & vaseline. Hopefully that clears it up. I wonder if silkies are just more susceptible to scaly leg mites?

KellyHM ~ in the pics, do oyu see how the scales on the chicken foot & leg seemed slightly raised? as if there is a gap between them? That is an indication of scaly leg mites. I don't think this is a raging case of it, I have seen pics ont he internet that look 100 times worse, but it does look like mites to me. I wondered if maybe the scales on silkies are just looser or something than larger standard hens ~ but everybody seems to agree ~ I've got a few mite-y silkies ~ lol.

UrbanChickenFamily~ Thank you for posting, I am definately not going to put the silkies in with the standards now. I guess they will have to stay in the house, quarantined in the brooder till Wood Genius can make me a separate pen for them. And I am sure you are right about the care part ~ Come to find out, these chickens came from a gal whose husband had died, he loved them, she hated them, so she pretty much ignored them until my friend picked them up from freecycle. But at least the lady cared enough to put them up, she could have just let them languish completely, I suppose. Not to mention she was likely a little grief-stricken due to her husband's death. I guess " but for the grace of God, there go I", eh?

JennsPeeps ~ Thanks for the site!! I am also a newby chicken owner, ( since about March-ish), but have found so much helpful info, both here & from many many books, magazines, websites, & nice people at the feed store.
I'm a little nervous to give these gals a bath, as they don't know me too well ~ also, I wonder if they scratch me with their toenails, and they have scaly leg mites, can it transfer to a human, sort of the way scabies does? I am trying to find out info on that right now ~ still unsure.

Tiki ~ thank you for the suggestion, I actually do have some BagBalm around, is that the same as udderBalm? Perhaps that would be better than teatree oil.

Smartie_Pants ~ uh oh ~ roo-ish? What signifies a roo for a silkie? Neither of them look like they have big combs or anything, but maybe silkies don't have big combs, I don't have a clue there. Also, if one was a roo, wouldn't he try to ride the hen? Or crow? But see, maybe silkies don't do what standards do, again, I don't have a clue. Or maybe they are just trying to get used to the new strange environment before they comfortable enough to ...~sling feathers..~? lol ~ Enlighten me, please!!
~Red

 

[onthespot]

I bought my ivermectin at the vet supply store. I am pretty sure you can buy it all over the place online. I forgot to make it crystal clear, which I did not in my post, that you DROP the ivomec in their mouth, not inject. Not implying you didn't get that, but all sorts of people read here and, well... you know... better safe than sorry.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
nah - you don't have scales so don't need to worry. The mites are very specialized and will only live on certain hosts.

I'm a pretty new chicken owner, too (May). I read BYC religiously and have learned SOOO much. It's a good resource!

 

[redhead83402]

Quote:
Onthespot ~ Actually, I am quite glad you verified & clarified ~ ;-D ~ cuzzzz ah am CLUE-lissss ~ :-D
(an ah ain't reel afeered o' admittin it, neether) lol :-D
~Red

 

[justusnak]

Red,
Last year I rescued 15 birds, with a terrible case of scaley leg mites. They DO have a certain smell to them. These birds I had were in terrible shape, and there was no way I could bathe 15 of them....so..I got the vaseline, and rubber gloves...and slathered thier legs with it about every 3 or 4 days. The bedding will stick to it, and they may peck a little at it....dont worry. You can bathe your little ones...just use a mild soap. Baby shampoo would work good. Blow dry them very well..and before you put them back in thier brooder...clean the brooder out! Keep them in a draft free place after the bath. The Vaseline will eventually get rid of the mites....it takes a few weeks depending on how bad the infestation is. Yours dont look too bad. They are very easy to spread...so I recommend you NOT go near your flock after touching the silkies, untill you have a chance to change clothes...and remember your shoes can carry them as well. Dont panic...this wont kill your birds...but it a pain in the rear to get rid of sometimes.
Oh, by they way...those are some pretty little ones you have there.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Baby oil will work as well.

 

[vfem]

Sounds like you got good advice! I just wanted to say, for the nippiness... I got 2 black silkies in August (look JUST like yours) BOTH hens by the way. Mine were flighty and nippy and wanted to peck at everyone and everything. (I named one Peck because she continued the longest). After about 2-3 days of handling them the pecking no longer hurt and it was more a warning nip. After about 2 weeks they seemed clean and happy and more comfortable with me, though flighty, so I let them free range with the others.

To make a long story short, yesterday one walked over to me and actually squatted down for me to pet her. The trick is picking them up daily and giving treats to them daily. Once they heal from any apparent condition let them go be all chickeny. Just prepare to be present a lot! Silkies will become more docile to you faster then you think!