Severe scaley leg mites on rescue chickens

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for posting. Scaly leg mites are a tough nut to crack. The others are probably lice. You'll need to dust with an insecticide powder and repeat in 7 days because the eggs hatch in 4-7 days.

 

[PouleChick]

Oh those poor poor chickens - good on you for taking them on. I look forward to pics after you have been caring for them for a while.

 

[Kristina Moatts]

Thanks for posting. Scaly leg mites are a tough nut to crack. The others are probably lice. You'll need to dust with an insecticide powder and repeat in 7 days because the eggs hatch in 4-7 days.

I went and got some DE today and will be making them a dust bath with wood ash. Will also dust them as well with it to make sure all are coated.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I went and got some DE today and will be making them a dust bath with wood ash. Will also dust them as well with it to make sure all are coated.

A dust bath is a good thing for prevention but I don't think I'm in the minority believing that a dusting of DE won't eradicate lice. They need to be met with something that will kill them immediately. Otherwise, you'll be dealing with this for a long time.
I would go for a permethrin dust or 5% Sevin garden dust.
The more parasites they have, the weaker they are and less able to resist more pathogens and disease.
You may want to read through this.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

For coop/pen bound birds' dust baths, I like to use a large cement mixing tub filled with dry soil, sand wood ashes and Ag lime.
Most of my buildings are about 18" above ground. That gives them a dry space to dust bathe in even in winter or wet soupy weather.

 

[Kristina Moatts]

Starting to see improvements. It’s poultry and garden dust with insecticide and udder cream mixed to make a paste then slathered on. Added the Roos first pic before treatment then today after only 2 treatments. Still a long way to go but seeing a difference lets me know it’s working. The hens weren’t as bad but their feet look so much better, looks like new skin.

 

[Kristina Moatts]

 

[Kristina Moatts]

After a good warm soak and continued treatment their scales are falling off.

 

[PouleChick]

The relief for them must be enormous!

 

[Kristina Moatts]

The relief for them must be enormous!

It seems to be. Some were having a hard time walking from the pain, irritation or both. I’m so glad it’s helping and they are feeling better. The weight gain will be he next big thing for them. They’re little pigs for sure so shouldn’t take too long.

 

[Kristina Moatts]

The difference is AMAZING.