Annual foot soak??

[ame087192]

So every year I soak the ladies feet in a tub of water. The water has a little Dawn soap, and vinegar. I do this as I read somewhere that is helps kill any mites that may be hiding under their scales.
Is this overkill or even needed? I don’t mind doing it, and the chickens don’t seem it kind when I hold them in the bucket soaking their feet. But I’m curious if any of you all do this and if you see any changes? I don’t have a mite issue- at least I don’t see any.

 

[sourland]

Seems like overkill to me, but if it is working for you why change ?

 

[ame087192]

Seems like overkill to me, but if it is working for you why change ?

Out of laziness lol.

 

[pennyJo1960]

think if you enjoy doing it just keep doing it

 

[ShrekDawg]

Well, if it's only once a year that doesn't seem like too much work. But definitely not necessary as long as the coop and run are clean. You can also put castor oil on their legs if you start to see any issues if/when you stop doing this. That smothers scaly leg mites and more effective than Vaseline or some other methods. That way you don't have to do it every year. But if you want to keep doing it, it wouldn't hurt them. Wood ash is also a good thing to give them to dust bath in. It's supposed to help prevent mites but I'm not sure how effective it is. But it doesn't hurt them (as long as it's pure wood ash and from safe, non toxic trees/plants) and might be easier than bathing them every year. Just put some in their run or inside a tire or bucket or something. Dust bathing is also fun and healthy for them. You should also check their legs regularly but not necessarily bath them. If the scales on the legs are raised up rather than flat then you have scaly leg mites.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I personally think that it's not too much of an overkill. It's always great to take preventable measures.

And doesn't harm them, so why not?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I personally think that it's not too much of an overkill. It's always great to take preventable measures.

And doesn't harm them, so why not?

Very true. And it's not like it's weekly or monthly or anything like that.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well I don't think it would work. I don't think it would hurt, but I don't think it would work on mites. Everything I have seem to have read, is oil, grease, vaseline....to smother them...

I think you just don't have mites, and don't need to do it.

 

[ame087192]

Well I don't think it would work. I don't think it would hurt, but I don't think it would work on mites. Everything I have seem to have read, is oil, grease, vaseline....to smother them...

I think you just don't have mites, and don't need to do it.

 

[ame087192]

Wow, thanks for the feedback, guys