Is the hen isolated for this treatment or left in the coop? I'm visualizing the litter and dirt collecting on that salve or oil being used. How often is it removed and reapplied?
I have 12 hens and just planning ahead in case.
KAREN: sure hope U R not asking me that question...lol! this is my first rodeo with regard to scaly leg mites! Btw...I've changed my mind about the Vaseline treatment....I'm going to hold her gently over a metal container (old coffee can) 3/4 filled with canola oil and 2 olive oils and then I'm going to hold them there at least 10 minutes. Will repeat this method each night after dinner until both their legs look like normal again!
If I'm going to go thru all this trouble, I'm going to make it worth it!
They'll have at least 2 hrs after that to settle down before they put themselves to roost in the 2-story chicken coop. I hate the idea of the mess but it's better than letting my girls suffer and or...die.
In response to your question about the scales, yes you are supposed to continue treating until all of the infected scales have fallen off, and the new ones are fully grown in. In a severe case like this, I would continue treatment for a week even after the new scales are grown in, just to be sure!
Yes...that "growth" on the leg is exactly as mentioned above.
Your hen has a severe case of leg mites. That's quite serious. Here is some information on the scaly leg mite. Key points are they take 10-14 days to complete their life cycle and an oil based product works because the mites breathe through their cuticles.
I use cooking oil spray to treat my cases. The thin oil penetrates well under the scales. It's much quicker and cleaner than picking each bird up and rubbing their legs with petroleum jelly etc. The key is to keep at it with regular treatment intervals.
In response to your question about the scales, yes you are supposed to continue treating until all of the infected scales have fallen off, and the new ones are fully grown in. In a severe case like this, I would continue treatment for a week even after the new scales are grown in, just to be sure!
THANKS for that, Poultrybreeder! I was planning on doing it for at least 7 days in a row - but I don't care how many days it actually takes. This must end! I feel like a bad mother who is neglecting and abusing her two children...NOT a good feeling.
Took pics of their feet today - two days after their 15-min soak in tepid water and they didn't look much better however...their skin looked pretty nice...especially Henrietta's bare butt!
Will post ALL pics of their feet before, half way thru and after so others can benefit from my experience!
THANKS for that, Poultrybreeder! I was planning on doing it for at least 7 days in a row - but I don't care how many days it actually takes. This must end! I feel like a bad mother who is neglecting and abusing her two children...NOT a good feeling.
Took pics of their feet today - two days after their 15-min soak in tepid water and they didn't look much better however...their skin looked pretty nice...especially Henrietta's bare butt!
Will post ALL pics of their feet before, half way thru and after so others can benefit from my experience!
Pictures would be great! Pictures will help other people. That's always a good thing.
I have over a hundred to do when I treat (if that helps you feel any better ) so I've never gotten treatment done as often as I'd like. Now that I've found easier ways to treat, I should be able to get things to 100%. I didn't see/realize my first chickens had leg mites until my one little rooster's legs were in bad shape.
@Poultrybreeder is quite right...it does happen to all of us at one point.
That's how we learn and grow from it.
I appreciate your kind words but...I was more upset with myself for not noticing this horrible condition until it had gotten close to terminal. I sure didn't raise my 36-yr old daughter like that...oh well, I'll be a much better Mother Hen going forward...lol!
Pictures would be great! Pictures will help other people. That's always a good thing.
I have over a hundred to do when I treat (if that helps you feel any better ) so I've never gotten treatment done as often as I'd like. Now that I've found easier ways to treat, I should be able to get things to 100%. I didn't see/realize my first chickens had leg mites until my one little rooster's legs were in bad shape.
@Poultrybreeder is quite right...it does happen to all of us at one point.
That's how we learn and grow from it.
Over 100??? OMG! It's all I can do to keep these two hens alive! I enjoy looking after them, however, so I consider it a "labor of love"...but on your scale...I think they'd have to institutionalize me at some point...lol!
BTW...I've got hardwood ash (pure from our pit) in their large sandbox, with a little chicken-grade DE, poultry powder (w/permethrin) and chicken-safe sand! It's also the floor of their coop, their nests in summer/spring and their 14-foot run! There's no way they can get away from it, except when rooting around for bugs in their large cove!
I also have the BriteTap cooler set up in the shade with electrolytes, minerals & ACV in the water and...here's the thing you'll really like...every morning I bring them 1 store egg, scrambled with a tad of minced garlic in it, a 1/4 pinch of cayenne pepper and a handful of shredded sharp cheddar! Oh boy do they love that!
I'm sure you know why the garlic, cayenne pepper, and ACV in their diets, but I don't think this would work too well for you with your HERD of chickens! I reckon this means you don't have names for all of them either? Just kidding!
Well, we've got one oil treatment done, another 10-15 to go, but if you have time, could you just tell me one thing?
AFTER this blight is over....considering all I told you here, do you still think I have to do this every summer or can I just catch them and put POULTRY PROTECTOR on their legs and feet as a preventative or is the sand, ash, DE & garlic enough to prevent it in the future?
Thanks and now I see why you go by "WickedChicken!" Unbelievable!!!
ps: Here are some pics of their "environment"....the "cove" is raptor proof from above, the other areas are predator-proof on the sides & dig-proof from below!
In the fall, I convert the run into a sun tunnel and they love being in it during the day to bask in the warmth of the sun! High tech materials: Clear, shower curtain liners..lol!
I also covered the lower windows/doors with clear shower curtain liner to keep out the rain, wind, snow, ice & that stays on all year round. Only 6 feet of curtain nearest the front door remains in place year round. These winter pics are from 2016.
Will submit pics in a few days of Abigail's and Henrietta's legs...right now they look better but that's cuz they aren't DRIED OUT. I didn't expect to see so much YELLOW on their upper legs either...guess that's the color when wet or moist?
Note: The coop, run & cove are in the shade 95% of the day in spring/summer but in winter, they are open to the sun pretty much all day....perfect placement!
I hope everyone who reads this post section understands I will continue their oil dip every night after dinner until this is gone and then a few days to make 100% sure!!!
Pictures would be great! Pictures will help other people. That's always a good thing.
I have over a hundred to do when I treat (if that helps you feel any better ) so I've never gotten treatment done as often as I'd like. Now that I've found easier ways to treat, I should be able to get things to 100%. I didn't see/realize my first chickens had leg mites until my one little rooster's legs were in bad shape.
@Poultrybreeder is quite right...it does happen to all of us at one point.
That's how we learn and grow from it.
Yep, it would be the same story for me, luckily my chickens don't get scaly leg that often, or I would go crazy! I have 100 chickens at my backyard, but I love them all
Yes...that "growth" on the leg is exactly as mentioned above.
) so I've never gotten treatment done as often as I'd like. Now that I've found easier ways to treat, I should be able to get things to 100%. I didn't see/realize my first chickens had leg mites until my one little rooster's legs were in bad shape.
