Scaly leg mites on feathery footed rooster

[LindsayRae]

I have a cochin rooster that has scaly leg mites under all those feathers. I did the warm soapy scrub and the vaseline smother. I kept him in a crate in our basement to dry up and so I can reapply the vaseline since that is what I read to do. He is not very friendly and a pain to catch. So, I am wondering what the signs are when the mites are gone or dead-- maybe to keep him in the crate until then?

Not a single hen of mine has the mites. . Is that common?

Also, when I was applying the vaseline it seemed like his feet were bleeding a little- Maybe the mites dying?

He is crowing in my basement now---while the hens get to sleep in for once

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How bad are the legs? Do you have photos?

It would take more than one treatment of vaseline to kill the SLM.

For a rooster that is feather footed, I would treat him with Ivermectin to rid of the SLM. You may need to apply vaseline or oil to help the scales of the feet/legs heal, but not as often as you would need to to kill off the SLM.

Ivermectin Pour On dose is 0.09 ml per pound of weight, apply the liquid to the base of the neck along the spine making contact with the skin. Repeat in 10 days. This would be a good time to reapply the vaseline or oil since you have to gather him up for the repeat.

Even though SLM live most of their lives on the bird, they can migrate, so it would be a good idea to check your hens for signs of raised scales. I would also treat the coop, nesting boxes and especially roosting bars with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust. (Spray, imho, is easier to use for treating coops), repeat in 7 day intervals. This way any that may be in the housing you will hopefully kill them off before they can infest the others.

The bleeding - maybe we can see that in the photos - irritation from the mites, broken feathers...not sure.

 

[raingarden]

Couldn't the red color be from the mite frass (excrement)?

 

[LindsayRae]

How bad are the legs? Do you have photos?

It would take more than one treatment of vaseline to kill the SLM.

For a rooster that is feather footed, I would treat him with Ivermectin to rid of the SLM. You may need to apply vaseline or oil to help the scales of the feet/legs heal, but not as often as you would need to to kill off the SLM.

Ivermectin Pour On dose is 0.09 ml per pound of weight, apply the liquid to the base of the neck along the spine making contact with the skin. Repeat in 10 days. This would be a good time to reapply the vaseline or oil since you have to gather him up for the repeat.

Even though SLM live most of their lives on the bird, they can migrate, so it would be a good idea to check your hens for signs of raised scales. I would also treat the coop, nesting boxes and especially roosting bars with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust. (Spray, imho, is easier to use for treating coops), repeat in 7 day intervals. This way any that may be in the housing you will hopefully kill them off before they can infest the others.

The bleeding - maybe we can see that in the photos - irritation from the mites, broken feathers...not sure.

thanks! I think ill do that since he gets so freaked out when I catch him. Poor lil guy.. .
when i do grab him up, ill take pictures for ya! thanks again