Don't have any advise cause I'm new to chickens, but I wanted to say that I'm glad they are in a loving home with more knowledge and care than they had. They are beautiful!
Scaly Leg Mites or another problem? photo heavy
- Thread starter BlueMoon
- Start date
It does look like scaly leg mites. They are beautiful chickens.
- Sep 4, 2007
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Bluemoon, I had the same problem when I bought a few hens myself. I gave them Ivomec and it cleared up in a few weeks. I kept soaking their legs in mineral oil to help remove the mite crust with no discomfort to the chickens. Mine where Polish and didnt have feathered feet, which probably makes it harder. Here is the link if you decide to medicate. I did because I hear it will keep coming back. At least the girls have you now. I know the lady I bought mine from probably just didnt know. Good luck.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21215
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21215
Thanks for taking them in...Doesn't sound like they got out much in the first place.
But it does look SLM...sometimes the scales come off...sometimes old birds have their scales lift up anyways...
But it does look SLM...sometimes the scales come off...sometimes old birds have their scales lift up anyways...
Bluemoon..with the nails so long..they probably didn't get around too well..and that would make them very vulnerable to mites/lice.
it would be a good idea to treat as "countrygirlcleelum" suggested using the Ivomec..
it will de-bug them and worm also.
and to continue to treat with the bag balm or oil, since it takes several treatments, and also helps re-condition the scales.
you might have to use a tooth pick or small very soft brush to get the mite "crud" out..but be careful.
another thought I had is that the nails would have pushed the feet up in an unnatural position..and put pressure on the legs..and could have been part of raising the scales, especially around the feet.
they must have been very uncomfortable..poor things.
I hope they start eating.
it would be a good idea to treat as "countrygirlcleelum" suggested using the Ivomec..
it will de-bug them and worm also.
and to continue to treat with the bag balm or oil, since it takes several treatments, and also helps re-condition the scales.
you might have to use a tooth pick or small very soft brush to get the mite "crud" out..but be careful.
another thought I had is that the nails would have pushed the feet up in an unnatural position..and put pressure on the legs..and could have been part of raising the scales, especially around the feet.
they must have been very uncomfortable..poor things.
I hope they start eating.
Their poor nails probably hurt. Being that long they would put pressure on their toes and feet that would not feel to good. I had some bantam hens given to me and they had the scaly leg mite too. A guy at the local auction told me he uses Pam cooking spray on them. I did it to my hens and it cleared it right up.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks so much for all of your goos ideas. I'm treating these as if it is scaly leg mites, but I like Sammi's theory too. Either way, I rubbed their legs with almond oil with tea tree oil mixed in. They're on straw, which seems better than the coop did. they still don't move much, but they are eating and drinking.
With the cold weather, they're in the house and seem to have gotten used to the cat and three dogs, as well as our coming and going. I'd love to have them in a bigger cage, but they seem comfortable now, just chirping happily away when we speak to them.
Will keep you posted - should the scales hopefully start falling off soon?
With the cold weather, they're in the house and seem to have gotten used to the cat and three dogs, as well as our coming and going. I'd love to have them in a bigger cage, but they seem comfortable now, just chirping happily away when we speak to them.
Will keep you posted - should the scales hopefully start falling off soon?
POOR BABIES - Glad you have them now.
Scaly leg mites will travel from one bird to another, they will fall from an infected bird and can live for 30 days on the floor of the coop before they go to a clean hen and start to burrow under the scales of her legs.
They are notoriously hard to get rid of
Ivermectin will certainly be a good start with them... and continuing to put some form of oil...even plain old olive oil painted on with a small paint brush so you don't get too much onto them and into the feathers
If you find the feathers are becoming soiled with the oil.. then you will need to wash the birds
If your finding they are louse infected.. then a good wash will probably do them the world of good and freshen them up.. and you can use dog or cat soap or shampoo for getting rid of fleas on them... make sure you dry them off well... don't put a hair drying to close to the skin.. it will burn easily
Leave them to finish drying in a sheltered warm area.. or they could chill and get a respiratory infection
The nails... cut small amounts once a month off the nails.. cutting too much can do more damage... it will cut into the quick of the nail and make it very sore for them to walk
Put down a few blocks of cement... paving squares... then they will gradually file their own nails down as they walk on them.. don't what ever you do keep them on soft flooring it will make the pad of the foot go soft and then they will be in worse condition as they will end up damaging their feet when they do go outside and stand on a stone or something... keep them toughened up..
Good luck
They are notoriously hard to get rid of
Ivermectin will certainly be a good start with them... and continuing to put some form of oil...even plain old olive oil painted on with a small paint brush so you don't get too much onto them and into the feathers
If you find the feathers are becoming soiled with the oil.. then you will need to wash the birds
If your finding they are louse infected.. then a good wash will probably do them the world of good and freshen them up.. and you can use dog or cat soap or shampoo for getting rid of fleas on them... make sure you dry them off well... don't put a hair drying to close to the skin.. it will burn easily
Leave them to finish drying in a sheltered warm area.. or they could chill and get a respiratory infection
The nails... cut small amounts once a month off the nails.. cutting too much can do more damage... it will cut into the quick of the nail and make it very sore for them to walk
Put down a few blocks of cement... paving squares... then they will gradually file their own nails down as they walk on them.. don't what ever you do keep them on soft flooring it will make the pad of the foot go soft and then they will be in worse condition as they will end up damaging their feet when they do go outside and stand on a stone or something... keep them toughened up..
Good luck
Yeah vaseline,Any type of oil, or vetrex works on leg mites.
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