Looking for organic methods to treat lice/scaley leg mite

[RPetChicks]

Thanks for your posts! I'm listening and wondering about the same thing. I am trying mineral oil right now on the vent and scales. Other things I've come across are citrus/orange oils for the roost and enzyme sprays from the feed store.

I know regular application of oils kills any mites just by drowning them, if nothing else.

The one chicken of my flock that I tried the mineral oil with seemed better. I am going to keep applying it thouigh, to prevent re-infestation.

Thanks again!

 

[kycklingar!]

The following is messy, but not as bad as manually applying oils: buy a spray can of cooking oil and go at the legs with that! It's nontoxic, and suffocates the mites.

 

[chickenannie]

I found out that you can just wash your hen in Dawn dishwashing liquid and it kills lice and mites. You have to blow-dry them afterwards (but you end up with a very clean chicken!). I am so happy to find a totally organic method...

Here's my description on anther post about what I did -- I made it detailed so others could gain from my story.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=146550

 

[Fluffybirdie]

Hello, I just joined your site. I'm a chicken addict with an awful poultry habit.
Apologies for the long post. :-/

In response to the Original post (part two) question about trimming ANY feathers:

* Make sure that there are no blood feathers. If birds are moulting, this is likely. On lighter colors, the roots/quills of the feathers will be pink instead of white or whatever. (similar to the visible quick in a toenail). Blood feathers are still growing in, so they have a vigorous blood supply. Cutting these feathers results in bleeding as the feather shaft acts as a siphon hose. The amount of bleeding can be quite drastic and dangerous!

*If you DO cut (or break) a blood feather, you need to quickly remove it by pulling it out with pliers- one quick strong jerk in the direction of growth should do it. That allows the skin to close and the blood to coagulate.

*Leave a little of the shaft when trimming. That way, if you cut a blood feather, you have something left to grasp with the pliers to pluck it.

*Whenever possible, layer the trimmed feathers so that the stiff exposed quills do not contact and irritate any skin. For instance, when trimming flight feathers, trim them just a bit shorter than the overlapping feathers. It takes a little longer to do it right, but it prevents sores and possible pecking from other birds.

*If you trim feathers, always keep styptic powder around to stop bleeding. You can buy styptic powder made for birds, but you can also use flour in a tight.

*Trimmed feathers will not grow back until the next molt. Plucked feathers will begin regrowing immediately. Constantly plucked feathers will eventually lose their color, then cease to grow.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Um, I doubt very much that dish soap is going to kill either mites or lice. Just because someone posts something on the internet doesn't make it accurate. Bathing a chicken in the middle of winter means you need to make sure it's well dried before going back out to the cold or you're going to have other health problems on your hands in addition to mites or lice. Additionally, the problem with many pest infestations is the eggs that hatch out after you treat your birds.

Scaly leg mites and lice are two different problems and look quite different. Do you think your birds have both problems?

Feather footed breeds sometimes have scales on their feet that look raised because of the feathers coming out, not because they have scaly leg mites. Are you sure you've got a mite problem?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

This thread is ancient!

 

[Tbird84]

Dawn will kill fleas. I know this from working a city dog shelter. We used it on puppies and kittens too young for conventional flea meds and in emergency cases. We did have one dog that was covered in lice as well when she came in. We used frontline spray on her. If we'd had the time to let the soap stay on for 5-10 min, I am sure it would have killed most of the lice as well. That is how long it takes for flea shampoos so...

But yes, Dawn does work, to an extent. There is no harm in trying. It is used everywhere in wildlife rehab.

I know, old thread. Still good info.

 

[Resolution]

Organic virgin coconut butter. You'll need to reapply every three days or so for one week. Coat the perches with pinesol during the day- let them dry while the birds are out on the ground during the day. I've never heard of the cooking oil. I think i'd like to try that method as well.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Most oils and greases work by smothering the bugs. A reason for cooking oil is that it is safe for the bird to ingest when it preens itself, and is already present in most households, and easily obtained if not already on hand.