Leg Mite problem

[KathyR]

Hi,

I have discovered my small flock of chickens has leg mites. I had to treat them when I first purchased them and thought I was rid of the problem but apparently not. I have started treatment with vaseline. My other problem is that I have 12 - 6wk old chicks, still on my porch, that I had hoped to put outside in an ajoining pen. I am wondering if I should keep them inside for a couple more weeks. Can anyone tell me how a chicken gets leg mites, how long they can live off the chicken, and also what is the safest and/or easiest way to clean the coop? Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Kathy

 

[lalaland]

I got a few hens that ended up with scaly leg mites. After trying vet-r-ex(expensive), bag balm, tee tree oil, etc, I ended up putting corn oil in a large yogurt container and dipping the hens legs into it. Messy! but effective. I've been told the scaley leg mites might get on the roosts, so to oil those up as well. Bad cases get scrubbed gently with an old toothbrush - crud comes off. Do this scrubbing somewhere other than the chicken area, as there could be mites in the crusty stuff that comes off.

The two hens that were original to my flock did not "catch" the leg mites from the others. I did clean bedding out, but that's it. Did not use severin, which is a favorite of those who are unconcerned about chemical loads.

Good luck!

 

[KathyR]

thanks for the reply. I hope it will be that easy.
Kathy

 

[wohneli]

I had a mite problem with one hen in the flock. I used Ivermectin on her and DE everywhere else(coop, roosts, run, yard). I was really paranoid about them coming back and/or infecting the rest of my flock. So far the rest of the flock is looking good.

 

[KathyR]

I have heard of using Ivermectin also. How would you know what dose to give if you have several sized chickens? Also, where would I purchase the DE? Is it safe to leave down or does it have to be cleaned up after treatment? Sorry for so many questions, I just don't know.
Kathy

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Info on Eprinex: http://shilala.homestead.com/ivomec.html -

 

[peckndirt]

Pour motor oil on they're legs and feet works every time,and it's cheap.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

We use mineral oil (baby oil).

 

[wohneli]

A few drops on the back of the neck several times over the course of a few weeks is what I did with the Ivermectim.

 

[Lollipop]

Leg Mites;

Leg mites dig under the scales on a birds legs. They cause the scales to lift creating a rough appearance. They inahabit cracks and openings in roosts and surrounding areas.

Treat leg mites by rubbing any kind of oil on the legs. The idea is to drown them. Repeat as needed. Should be back to normal in a month.

Oh yeah, I`ve used Ivermectin for years. Nobody has said yet that it gets in the blood to do it`s work and taints the eggs for a month........Pop