How to handle a hen who doesn't know you if they have scaly legmite

[kimbalina]

I just got my two hens yesterday from friends who had to move away. They are Isa Brown crosses, beautiful black chooks...

they were very shy this morning and took from 7am-1pm to venture out of the coop into the backyard, but they are happily foraging away out there now.

They both have leg mite, one worse than the other...

I have read up on the natural remedies, and am prepared, but I am not sure how to handle them, without freaking us all out! I am not sure how they would take to a perfect stranger rubbing their legs with a toothbrush and applying coconut oil!

Tips and tricks!

Also, can I clean out the cage with some eucalyptus in the water, to help rid the mites? They didn't clean it out often enough I don't think...

thanks in advance!

 

[kimbalina]

anyone?!

 

[rufus]

Just spray their legs with WD40. It is a lot easier than trying to rub oil into them. Do it once a week and the problem will be solved.

Rufus

 

[Mahonri]

I spray them with Pam cooking spray.

 

[kathyinmo]

Here's a couple good threads on scaley leg mites for you... (Hope it helps)
Quote:
Here is another good thread, and an exerpt from it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2713525

I have never done any worming is this somthing i need to do regulary ?
and as far as the dusting Is it Just powder you put on the bird?
Thank you all for everyones help with my questions. I also have seen a little bit of that legg stuff on another bird in that flock. ...........

On the worming, yes - it is good to do. They can technically live with some worms, but it causes a constant state of slight inflammation where the worms are, they make scars in the digestive tract if they burrow, and they steal their food - so they lower their immunity. I just worm twice a year with something broad-spectrum. For an unwormed flock, just worm with Wazine 17 (piperazine 17) first. Then go back and worm with something like fenbendazole (safeGuard for horses or goats), pour-on cattle ivermectin, albendazole (Valbazen), levamisole, etc. One of those will do the trick as the second worming.

How many do you have with this bird? Soak the legs of at least the two effected birds in warm water with some very gentle soap VERY dilute in it (ivory, or better yet - something like Nolvasan antiseptic diluted to a capful per a quarter of water. Scrub the legs with a toothbrush to get rid of the excess scaliness. The scaliness is made both by the gunk coming from mites that are burrowing under the skin (quite like mange mites do) as well as the products of irritation of the skin itself. Pat dry. Then you can use the 1% ivermectin on the legs. Dilute with a little water to get it to soak in. Or you can worm with ivermectin 5% cattle pour-on (PM me for the dosages) and you'll get the second worming done and be able to do it usually twice annually with ivermectin thereafter. ONLY use the 'broad spectrum' type wormers on birds over four months who have been wormed with wazine first.

I suspect the marks on the comb are also scaley mites which can and do migrate to combs as well, though they are more commonly found under the scales of the legs.

Still continue to give the vitamins, etc, as this will be good for their immunity.

Summary:

Worm with Wazine.
Get started on working on the legs by soaking and scrubbing. (You can put olive oil on them after the cleansing). repeat the oil part daily until 2 weeks later.

Two weeks later:
Worm with ivermectin pour-on (birds over four months) which will kill the mites and the rest of the worms. (Reworm birds under four months with wazine two weeks from this date).

Continue oil for another week.

Note: Sometimes the scales will bleed after you kill the mites as they dislodge from the skin. Be forewarned. It is normal. That's just an indication of exactly how much damage they do under those scales where we can't see.

The scales might not return to normal, but at least the issue won't be there anymore.

On dusting, permethrin (the chemical you want - check the active ingredient on the label) usually comes in a handy shaker can. I find it handy but a little annoying. So I wear gloves, shake some into my hand, and then use my hand to put the powder on the birds - under their wings, under and around their vent, under their bellies, back of neck - use your gloved hand to ruffle the stuff in at each place as you apply it. Try to keep it out of their mouths and eyes. You'll get the feel of it. Repeat in 7 days.
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[kimbalina]

Hi and thanks

I have read about how to treat it, what I want is tips on handling hens who don't really know you!

I am not into the idea of spraying my birds with petrochemicals, we don't ingest them ourselves! The cooking spray is a good tip though ta!

They are getting to know me a bit now, but we're all a bit freaked at the idea of handling (or being handled)..

Any tips about this are much appreciated!

Kimba