Severe SLM

[MilesFluffybutt]

I rescued a rooster from a coworker's extended family after they lost their pet flock to a predator. They were just done with chickens and since my bachelor flock is down to two, I figured I take him. He's about the same age as my two boys - approximately 10 years old, if you're wondering.

The new guy has a great temperament and has been well taken care of, except the SLM. The family tried home remedies and sought veterinary help, but nothing seems to have worked. I do not have access to a vet so I won't be able to get him tested for an active case. Currently, he walks fine and there's no swelling. His nails are super long and twisted so he walks a little slow. I am cutting them back slowly since the quick is very long.

I have never dealt with anything this severe. His feet are a mess. He's currently staying in my house as I didn't want to introduce him to my two until his feet are taken care of. Because I have cats, I can't use permethrin.

What are my options here?

 

[Debbie292d]

Permethrin doesn't work on SLM.

Slather his feet and legs with vaseline every other day for three days, then repeat this process in 10 days.

The other thing that works is Ivermectin Pour on 5%, but if it's just this one chicken, I wouldn't pay for that, and would just use the vaseline.

You could put him with your others after the first round is complete.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Permethrin doesn't work on SLM.

Slather his feet and legs with vaseline every other day for three days, then repeat this process in 10 days.

The other thing that works is Ivermectin Pour on 5%, but if it's just this one chicken, I wouldn't pay for that, and would just use the vaseline.

You could put him with your others after the first round is complete.

Interesting about the permethrin. The family gave me what the vet sent him with.

When I had a bigger flock, I did use Ivermectin, but I'll try the Vaseline method on this guy. Those scales look uncomfortable. Hopefully they'll shed easier once they've softened.

Should I trim his feet feathers? The feathering is quite extensive.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The Vaseline suffocates the Scaley Leg Mites, and the repeat treatment kills the eggs as they hatch. Good thing you quarantined him! Sorry about your friend's flock.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

The Vaseline suffocates the Scaley Leg Mites, and the repeat treatment kills the eggs as they hatch. Good thing you quarantined him! Sorry about your friend's flock.

I started the Vaseline method earlier this evening. *fingers crossed*

The family loved their flock. They trusted a neighbor to care for them while away for the weekend. The neighbor was too late putting them to bed or maybe he didn't secure the latch. I don't recall which, but they found this guy and two hens a couple days later. The hens went to a home that already had a rooster so I took this guy.

I've got him in a diaper so he's got free run of the house. He's already figured out that blueberries are kept in the big white box. He runs over every time the fridge opens. He's quite the character.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Interesting about the permethrin. The family gave me what the vet sent him with.

When I had a bigger flock, I did use Ivermectin, but I'll try the Vaseline method on this guy. Those scales look uncomfortable. Hopefully they'll shed easier once they've softened.

Should I trim his feet feathers? The feathering is quite extensive.

I'm glad you were able to take this guy in. So cute about already learning where the Blueberries are!

Permethrin is very good to use for lice (and some mites) that live on the body. Good for treating housing as well.

Scaly Leg Mites live under the scales of the feet/legs feeding on blood, tissue, etc., so the Permethrin dust (or spray) will not reach them. Applying the vaseline somewhat seals them in and suffocates them.
Ivermectin is absorbed into the bloodstream so it's effective in treating Mites on the body and the Scaly Leg Mites too since both feed off blood (lice do not).

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I'm glad you were able to take this guy in. So cute about already learning where the Blueberries are!

I'll have to try to get a video. It's precious. When my CB EE house roo passed two years ago, I said no more in the house. He's making it really hard to stick to that rule. LMAO!

Permethrin is very good to use for lice (and some mites) that live on the body. Good for treating housing as well.

I know it's bad for the pollinators, but I use Elector PSP on housing and the chickens once a year. The darned grackles, jays, and their bugs move into the coop in the Spring. Despite having two chickens, I go through 60lbs of food a month March through late June and again in the fall.

Scaly Leg Mites live under the scales of the feet/legs feeding on blood, tissue, etc., so the Permethrin dust (or spray) will not reach them. Applying the vaseline somewhat seals them in and suffocates them.

That's what I thought - it can't be effective if it can't reach them. And an exotics vet recommended it.

Ivermectin is absorbed into the bloodstream so it's effective in treating Mites on the body and the Scaly Leg Mites too since both feed off blood (lice do not).

I think I'm going to pick some Ivermectin up and treat him concurrently with the vaseline since he's heavily feathered on his feet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'll have to try to get a video. It's precious. When my CB EE house roo passed two years ago, I said no more in the house. He's making it really hard to stick to that rule. LMAO!

I know it's bad for the pollinators, but I use Elector PSP on housing and the chickens once a year. The darned grackles, jays, and their bugs move into the coop in the Spring. Despite having two chickens, I go through 60lbs of food a month March through late June and again in the fall.

That's what I thought - it can't be effective if it can't reach them. And an exotics vet recommended it.


I think I'm going to pick some Ivermectin up and treat him concurrently with the vaseline since he's heavily feathered on his feet.

I think Ivermectin for him would be a good idea. This will help knock the SLM out and you can still just keep applying the vaseline once a week to help soften up the scales.

Errrmm...It sounds like you have new House Rooster


Ivermectin Dosing
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mites-lice-now-hen-growling.1242981/post-19965544