Quote:
First, eye drops: ==> 'Oxy Rid'
but some background, I got my hen and two pullets from a listing on Craigslist in April. Then I discovered that they had (or at least one for sure) round worms. Then I saw a worm in the eye of one of the pullets. Sooo after much research, an on-line vet exchange, reading this and other forums, looking at picts. on the internet etc... I did this 1. wash the eye with bicarbonate of soda and water, repeat. 2. Find Vet Rx and while holding the chicken upside down, drip with a Q-tip Vet Rx into the upper beak. repeated this two times. 3. Research more on the internet and finally find a product in the Phillippines called 'Oxy Rid'. I applied this (two drops to cure, 1-drop once per month to prevent ) to chicken that had it, and the other two to prevent. I would hardly believe they really had them, except one of the pictures I took after treatment shows one up. So.... I decided to treat them monthly with eyedrops... Unfortunately the product isn't available in the USA. (that I know of). The product is only about $5 per bottle---but the shipping was horrendous. (don't ask). Then I think my poor smallest pullet had a couple of other ailments... so I make the joke that I bought the 'sickest chicken in the state.' This problem requires an intermediate host, and is probably only a concern for people who live in warmer places, like the Gulf States of the USA, warm parts of Australia, Hawaii and the Phillippines... I wouldn't worry about it if you live in climate that gets cool...
Second - For the scaley leg mites prevention: ==> Vet Rx
The Vet Rx bottle said that it was a preventative (a cure too, I think), so since I was going to be giving them eyedrops once per month, I just took a damp papertowel and scrubbed down their shanks and rubbed in some Vet Rx---and they loved it! This particular mite is invisible to the naked eye... and I thought why not prevent them from ever getting started. I only have 3 hens so it isn't quite like some folks that have big flocks. I think the objective is that anything gooey (vasaline would work too... but what a mess that may be in the dust) would cut off the air supply of a mite.
Vet Rx is also good for 'roup'...and I did have a discussion with a Poultry Vet about my 'sickest chicken in the state' about what to do for her respiratory problem. This is where I sometimes put Vet Rx under her wings at night. She is her own little vaporizer.
Now my three seem healthy and happy, and totally worm free and withdrawal completed, so we are enjoying an egg-a-day from each of them. I guess I go by bright eyes, big appetite, head and tail high and egg production to determine if they are healthy..
Hope that answers it.
P.S.
Next day Addition: Regarding Oxy Rid, it is safe even for chicks and there is no egg withdrawal, but I was speaking with a vet who told me that the chemicals in it are not approved for Meat birds in the USA. I got it on line at New Tree and I keep thinking I will lobby an online vet supply or pet supply in the USA to stock it--and keep forgetting to do that.