cockerel/rooster tail feathers still in casing, and leg colour

[junebuggena]

Treat the hens too, but there is no need to treat the coop. There are lots of options for treating scaley leg mites, but effective treatments all boil down to the same technique. You want to coat the legs in something that will smother the mites. Some people swear by castor oil, others use vasoline, some prefer coconut oil. All will work to achieve the same end goal.
To confine the rooster, just shut the coop. They'll be fine inside for a few days with food and water. Then you can let everybody back out. I do think it's wise to have a somewhat secure run setup, just in case you ever need it for any reason. Better to have and not need, rather than to need and not have. Especially if a predator decides that your flock is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

 

[fishdaughter]

Ok, great, thank you. Should the vasoline/castor oil/coconut oil be applied several times or will just one coating be enough to suffocate the mites? I will get some general (we have a good recommended organic one locally) mite powder to dust them all with, just to be on the safe side whilst I've got them captured. They are confined to a paddock which has reasonable fencing which I've reinforced in places...but there aren't a lot of natural predators where I live as I'm in the heart of game shooting countryside where all natural predators to pheasants and grouse are obliterated....whilst I thoroughly and wholeheartedly disapprove of blood sports, I guess it's come in handy for my poultry. But you are right, it would be handy to have a smaller area to confine them to if necessary. There was a great chicken coop with small enclosure on freecycle recently, I wish I'd tried to get it now! Thanks again junebuggena

 

[junebuggena]

Keep the legs coated for about 2 weeks, just to be certain you've killed all the bugs.

 

[fishdaughter]

Hey everyone, just to say that I could only get coconut oil as the vaseline had sold out. And I've just been out (it's 9pm at night) with a torch and managed to catch him. He was alert enough to run, but disorientated so I threw the blanket I had to wrap him up in, over him and easily got him. Once he was wrapped up gently in the blanket with his legs sticking out, he didn't try and escape but was really calm. It almost seemed like he liked having his legs massaged with oil (saucy bugger). Thanks for all your help.

 

[fishdaughter]

Hey everyone, just to say that I could only get coconut oil as the vaseline had sold out. And I've just been out (it's 9pm at night) with a torch and managed to catch him. He was alert enough to run, but disorientated so I threw the blanket I had to wrap him up in, over him and easily got him. Once he was wrapped up gently in the blanket with his legs sticking out, he didn't try and escape but was really calm. It almost seemed like he liked having his legs massaged with oil (saucy bugger). Thanks for all your help.

 

[aart]

Once you have them confined, wings pinned down, they usually submit pretty quick.
Covering their heads can calm them further if needed.
Once they've been 'captured' and handled, without 'dying', they'll be calmer next time.
Oil probably felt good on the irritated legs.

 

[fishdaughter]

Yes, I bet, and they already look a bit better this morning! I will reapply the oil in a few days...won't be so nervous next time!! Thanks for your help.

 

[JohnTheChickenMan]

It's a genetic condition. Just cull him or at least do not breed him as he will pass this condition to his offspring