Selling my chickens with Scaly leg mites

[Luca Bree]

Hi all,

Thanks to this forum I was alerted to the fact that my chickens have scaly leg mites. Since then, my husband and I have been attempting to treat them with foot baths and petroleum jelly. It worked a bit, but the chickens are still infected and some of them are pretty bad unfortunately.
We are at a time in our lives where we can't take care of our chickens in a way that is meeting their needs. We are also moving soon and so we are looking to sell our flock.
My question is: is it unethical to sell the flock with scaly leg mites? He told me to not mention it in the ad but it doesn't sit right with me to hide information like that. At the same time, if I put in the ad that they have scaly leg mites I doubt anyone would buy them. Shall I accept that I should just sell them for free or at a super low cost? I would love to see them go to a home where they can get the treatment they deserve.

I had a recurring problem with mites some years ago, at a time when it had become difficult for me to care for them properly. I offered the chickens free on a Poultry lovers website, and explained I had treated but suspected the old coop was a problem so would be dismantling it. I chose genuine new owners from about 50 applicants! They were delighted with their cute Pekins and even sent photos.

 

[Stephoney]

If possible can you treat them with ivermectin pour-on before you sell them? If you can do both doses, that would be optimal. Even if you couldn’t give them the first dose, disclose that they are being treated and will need the second dose (supply new owners with dosage info and bottle of ivermectin- you’ll have plenty extra) on a specific date, then at least the new owners would know how to handle the mites. I had several hens that I inherited with a coop that had S.L.M and had no idea what it was until I noticed that the hens looks in pain when they walked and didn’t move much. I tried the vasoline route for a month, every day, but it didn’t work. Ivermectin pour on is put on the back of the hens neck (on the skin) like flea medication. The exact dosage can be found on BYC, just search Ivermectin Pour On dosage.
The ivermectin worked within a week and the girls had flattened leg scales within a month or two. They felt so much better after treatment. Egg withdrawal is 30 days with ivermectin, so if you go that route, be sure to mention it in the listing, too.

 

[DawnLee]

If possible can you treat them with ivermectin pour-on before you sell them? If you can do both doses, that would be optimal. Even if you couldn’t give them the first dose, disclose that they are being treated and will need the second dose (supply new owners with dosage info and bottle of ivermectin- you’ll have plenty extra) on a specific date, then at least the new owners would know how to handle the mites. I had several hens that I inherited with a coop that had S.L.M and had no idea what it was until I noticed that the hens looks in pain when they walked and didn’t move much. I tried the vasoline route for a month, every day, but it didn’t work. Ivermectin pour on is put on the back of the hens neck (on the skin) like flea medication. The exact dosage can be found on BYC, just search Ivermectin Pour On dosage.
The ivermectin worked within a week and the girls had flattened leg scales within a month or two. They felt so much better after treatment. Egg withdrawal is 30 days with ivermectin, so if you go that route, be sure to mention it in the listing, too.

Egg withdrawal is actually not necessary with Ivermectin treatment since this drug is also prescribed to humans.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Update? Everything going okay?

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Egg withdrawal is actually not necessary with Ivermectin treatment since this drug is also prescribed to humans.

Do you often give medical advice directly countering the manufacturers labeling?

 

[Chicken poppy]

Do you often give medical advice directly countering the manufacturers labeling?

Sometimes labeling is incorrect. I have no clue what applies to this specifically, but you wouldn’t believe how many I’ve seen that does NOT apply to what the labeling says and works better doing the opposite.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

You are taking what I’m saying wrong.
The label says 30 day withdrawal period and is what should be observed. If you choose to eat the eggs it’s is your personal choice. Instructing others to do so is only opening yourself to being liable.

You all do you though. I’m not about to suggest going directly counter manufacture instructions. To do so would be wreckless.

 

[Chicken poppy]

You are taking what I’m saying wrong.
The label says 30 day withdrawal period and is what should be observed. If you choose to eat the eggs it’s is your personal choice. Instructing others to do so is only opening yourself to being liable.

You all do you though. I’m not about to suggest going directly counter manufacture instructions. To do so would be wreckless.

I would agree with this. Everyone would have their own opinions on this sort of matter.
Not sure what was said beforehand, but on this alone, everyone is divided 50/50 on if you should or should not.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I would agree with this. Everyone would have their own opinions on this sort of matter.
Not sure what was said beforehand, but on this alone, everyone is divided 50/50 on if you should or should not.

I’ve had so damn much ivermectin pour on soaked into me that if I thought it would hurt you I’d say exactly that. Worse thing that I’ve had happen is diarrhea.

This day and age saying ‘you can eat them’ opens up a hole for some lawyer to stick their nose into. Hard pass from me thanks.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I’ve had so damn much ivermectin pour on soaked into me that if I thought it would hurt you I’d say exactly that. Worse thing that I’ve had happen is diarrhea.

This day and age saying ‘you can eat them’ opens up a hole for some lawyer to stick their nose into. Hard pass from me thanks.

Yeah, i don’t eat eggs anyway, but i always like to be on the safe side. Sure, i could, but why? I might as well not because its not hurting me to wait.