Once and for all scaly leg mite treatment?

[Chicalina]

I've had a scaly leg mite problem in my flock for ages. This is despite me treating it over and over.

Some birds seem more susceptible than others. I no longer keep feather footed breeds for instance.

Once the mites start then the crud left behind is solid and debilitating. I have tried soaking and picking it off but it takes the skin with it leaving sores so I no longer do this. I still soak to soften and then oil them. Various oils/fats I have used with a few drops of teatree oil or citronella.

I've got too many birds to do a long soak for each of them but manage 5 mins a bird soaking and scrubbing with a soft toothbrush.

The process to get back to better feet (not even really good normal feet) takes months and months while the scales fall off, skin heals and they regrow. Meantime more mites get in.

I spray the coop with insecticide mite spray in all the crevices and perches. I use a different insecticide on the birds.

About to do an ivermectin dose but they've been on flubenvet recently so not sure how long I should wait.

The thing is, I never seem to be able to get on top of them and eradicate the problem fully. And some birds are in discomfort while the cruds are there.

Anyone been able to completely get rid of them? If so, please share your tips.

I'm so fed up of this.

(No lice, fleas or any other parasite on them)

 

[Livia Ammon]

Wow, that’s pretty bad. No experience here with mites but I wish you best of luck! Hopefully a more experienced member will see this post!

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you been removing all coop bedding and spraying your coop with insecticide before adding new bedding when you treat your birds? Sand in your coop and run might be a good alternative to whatever bedding you are using now. Usually soaking feet is only needed at first, and then regular coating the legs with something like castor oil, mineral oil, vicks salve, menthol ointment, or sulfur powder mixed with vaseline at least twice a week. Ivermectin may not protect against scaly leg mites, but works against body mites.

 

[Chicalina]

Yes, they have a thorough clean out and deinfestation treatment every 3 months. I use deep litter in the coop and it all gets swept out and disposed of.

I am going to increase the greasing up I think. Perhaps a blitz of 3 times a week for 3 weeks in a row.

Any other ideas for loosening the hard crud that seems cemented onto their legs and toes? I can't pick it off as it takes the skin with it. Poor things.

Have you been removing all coop bedding and spraying your coop with insecticide before adding new bedding when you treat your birds? Sand in your coop and run might be a good alternative to whatever bedding you are using now. Usually soaking feet is only needed at first, and then regular coating the legs with something like castor oil, mineral oil, vicks salve, menthol ointment, or sulfur powder mixed with vaseline at least twice a week. Ivermectin may not protect against scaly leg mites, but works against body mites.

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes, they have a thorough clean out and deinfestation treatment every 3 months. I use deep litter in the coop and it all gets swept out and disposed of.

I am going to increase the greasing up I think. Perhaps a blitz of 3 times a week for 3 weeks in a row.

Any other ideas for loosening the hard crud that seems cemented onto their legs and toes? I can't pick it off as it takes the skin with it. Poor things.

We aren't supposed to get it off. They will lose it in time naturally. At the most, you could take a soft toothbrush to their feet and legs while soaking them.

The best treatment is lubing them up every other day for three times, then in 7-10 days, do this same thing again. We'd go in the coop at night while their roosting and do it.

We have silkies that will just get them, no matter what we do, about once every couple of years. After doing this two different times, we had then tripled the number of silkies, and made greasing 40 feet three times a week nearly impossible. We then went to the Ivermectin pour-on. It's a drop on the back of their necks for bantam breeds, two to three drops for larger birds. Repeat in 7-10 days.

 

[Chicalina]

Thanks. I'm going to try that.

 

[Chicalina]

Thanks. I'm going to try that.

Also at lubing them up!

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

You could want to try Cade Oil... specifically the one made for chickens : https://www.distilleriedescevennes.com/collections/soins-huile-de-cade-vraie-animaux/products/soin-naturel-huile-de-cade-poules?variant=41057647460399

It is 100% efficient.

(Be careful to not buy contraband!
The link I am sharing here is the real deal, so I would recommend to buy directly from them.)

For what it's worth : I have used Cade Oil from "La Distillerie des Cévennes" for several years now, for diverses purposes... and I'm happy with it!

 

[Chicalina]

Thanks for the recommendation. That's really quite expensive though.

It looks like a quality product but perhaps I could just get some essential cade oil and mix it into a carrier oil like they do? I checked the ingredients and it's got juniper oxycedrus essential oil (cade) and castor oil as the carrier. I bet it smells lovely!

What else do you use it for?

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Thanks for the recommendation.

You are welcome.

That's really quite expensive though.

Trust me : Cade Oil is worth it.

It looks like a quality product

Ooooh... it is more than "a quality product" : it is, in my very honest opinion, the best.

I don't know any product more efficient than Cade Oil... and it even has the advantage to be 100% natural!
(So, you can use it AND still eat the eggs!!)

but perhaps I could just get some essential cade oil and mix it into a carrier oil like they do?

I don't know if it would be so efficient...

Cade Oil for Chickens is specifically made for maximum efficiency for chickens... so I really would recommend to buy this specific one.

I bet it smells lovely!

Smells strong.

You like it or you don't like it... doesn't bother me, personally. But it bother mites AND lice...!

What else do you use it for?

Really any wound - small or severe...!

If there is a wound... blood, or whatever : I just use Cade Oil.
(I would also use it for any kind of skin issue...!!)

After care of bumblefoot treatment?
I put Cade Oil on the affected part.

A bloody, broken nail or feather?
Cade Oil.

A severe wound?
...Cade Oil!

Scaly leg mites?
Ooooh... I have several feather-footed chickens, so you can trust I am so grateful for Cade Oil...!

I even used it when I had to remove a rooster's spurs in the past - just the horn, to be precise -, and matrix was then bloody... I put Cade Oil on it, and it did the job!

You don't need to disinfect the wound before using it : Cade Oil will do it for you.


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


Cade Oil has, in fact : soothing, healing, anti-inflammatory and purifying properties.

Meaning : product is an ally of choice for the skin and the treatment of certain dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema or dermatoses.

Cade Oil is also : valued in veterinary medicine as antiseptic, antiparasitic, antifungal, and repellent - it can be used to combat all kinds of insects and parasites.


Source : https://www.distilleriedescevennes.com/pages/huile-de-cade-vertus


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •


If you buy the 500 grams one, there is a brush connected on the cap... and Cade Oil is so efficient that you won't even need to clean the brush after use...!