Please help me Help my little guy!

[Mbart83]

Even though scaly leg mite almost never attacks chicks so young, it sure does have all the symptoms of a very bad case. I see slightly raised scales at the bottom of the shank. This is a very good indicator of the presence of leg mites.

Leg mites are extremely painful and the chicken will peck and scratch at them, further injuring tissue. This could account for some of the other scabs.

If you don't have castor oil on hand, it should be in every chicken first aid kit. It will smother scaly leg mites far more effectively than any other oil, even Vaseline, and it has many other healing properties. I would treat once a day with it after daily soaks.

Another valuable thing to have is a no-holds-barred treatment for mites, lice and scaly leg mites called Elector PSP. It's organic but it is 100% effective on external parasites. Pricey, but it will last you for years. Look on Amazon. I successfully treat leg mites with it where other treatments have not fully resolved the issue.

Ok- I will try this- should I use blue cote too?

 

[Mbart83]

Ok- I will try this- should I use blue cote too?

Should I treat all the chicks that are together with him?

 

[azygous]

Blu-kote and castor oil is a recipe for a huge mess. Hold off on the Blu-kote, although it wouldn't harm him.

Look at the feet and legs of the other chicks. If you see the slightest separation of scales from being tightly flush, then you need to treat any whose legs and feet are showing this. If they all look normal, then you may skip treating them.

 

[azygous]

By the way, you should win the prize of the day for excellent photos!

 

[Mbart83]

Thanks so much for your help!

Oh and no way can I take credit for my good handsome boy staying still for me! He really is a good boy.

I will keep you posted- how long until I shoukd see a difference?

 

[azygous]

His feet will feel so much better right away, but it'll be a week before you see a real indication of healing. But it could be a lot faster in a baby chick since his cells are multiplying so rapidly anyway.

 

[Mbart83]

Awesome! Does it need to be any certain castor oil? Like unrefined or anything?

 

[azygous]

Wal-mart's cheapest.

 

[6sablehens]

It could be scaley leg mites, but it might be an infection as you say it was not long after the chick hatched and a chunk of skin had appeared on the bottom of its foot, and then the top didn’t heal. The toes look very swollen.
You could try putting something like a diluted solution of beta dine on the affected area.

 

[Mbart83]

It could be scaley leg mites, but it might be an infection as you say it was not long after the chick hatched and a chunk of skin had appeared on the bottom of its foot, and then the top didn’t heal. The toes look very swollen.
You could try putting something like a diluted solution of beta dine on the affected area.

Ok! Thanks!