Rescuing hen w/scaly leg mites

[texsuze]

We've been looking to add a single hen to our tiny flock (long story) and happened upon a red sex-link/who-knows-what-else hen living with a flock of quail. Care of these birds appears to be sketchy, at best. Owner will let us have her for free, but it appears she has a fairly hefty case of scaly leg mites.

My heart tells me I can keep this chook in quarantine while curing her of the mites.

The pragmatic in me says, stay away.

Your thoughts, please? I hate to see an animal who might be suffering. I'd lose sleep over this one because she's right in town where I'd be once a week.


ETA-I've read 14 pages of the "Scaly Leg Mites" thread already.

 

[Odelia]

I would be cautious knowingly bringing a parasite on my property. I know people who bought birds that they knew had been treated for leg mites and they looked fine. Well they might have looked fine when they came home with them but their entire flock became infected with them. They are a pain to completely kill. Good luck

 

[texsuze]

Sadly, we have decided against taking this poor hen. Husband gave the owner some info about scaly leg mites, including the BYC website info. Hopefully owner will begin to treat this poor bird.

We are still ISO a single hen up to a year old, who can join our small flock. Anyone in central TX with a friendly hen to sell?

 

[dawg53]

Sadly, we have decided against taking this poor hen. Husband gave the owner some info about scaly leg mites, including the BYC website info. Hopefully owner will begin to treat this poor bird.

We are still ISO a single hen up to a year old, who can join our small flock. Anyone in central TX with a friendly hen to sell?

Smart decision. Glad you remembered biosecurity.