Mites or Worms?

[ChickenMack]

I acquired a four month old Black Minorca roo today. In inspecting him, his comb and wattles are pale, pale, pale. His legs look normal, maybe a little dry- this may be from poor nutrition or mites. His comb may also be poor nutrition or worms. I am not at all familiar with this breed so I don't know what their weight should be at four months. I haven't posted enough in order to post pictures but his eyes are clear and he is breathing normally.

Suggestions? Powder or wormer? I am not going to let him out with girls until we can get this squared away. Oh- I will say I was looking for a black australorp roo but when I saw him not in the greatest of shape, I took him anyway hoping I can change his little roo life. So any suggestions would be great. I don't want to worm him if he doesn't need it but I don't want to expose my girls to any unnecessary chemicals either.

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[ChickenMack]

Nevermind. I made a gut decision and gave him some Invermectin. If I don't see improvement in a day or two, I will go to dusting. Thanks.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would quarantine him for a month to see if anything shows up (this is what you should do regardless). If the scales on his legs and feet are lifting up it is scaly leg mites. You can dip his feet in mineral (or vegetable) oil for 2 weeks (do it every day or so to smother the mites).

Pale combs/wattles can be from mites or worms. Don't forget to dust him every week until all bugs are gone to get the hatching eggs.

Personally, I WOULD worm him. You don't want those worm eggs all over your property. Since he is less than 18 weeks of age, prophylactic worming isn't recommended I have read on BYC. However, with those pale wattles/comb the chances are there that he could have worms. Now you can take a fecal sample to a vet for a fecal float but there can be false negatives.

Be aware that there are diseases that can pass quarantine, as they make a chicken an asymptomatic carrier.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/599812/ivermectin-some-questions
see post #3

Ivermectin won't kill lice if he has them. (I know that you suspected mites, but I thought I would mention this anyway.)