silkie question...is this normal?

[sunket77]

I just got this roo Sat. and I am new with silkies. He is 1 1/2 years old, is this mites or is this normal for scales?

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Looks like scaly mites; one of my faveorite little hens, Poppy, had them when I got her. I just dipped both of her little feet in vegetable oil for several days and they went away. You could also put some vaseline on the feet, coat the feet really good, it suffocates the mites. Do this as they are bedding up for the night. You will also want to treat their bedding, roosts, etc. to make sure that no mites,lice, etc are living in their coop and making them miserable when they try to rest. Make sure to notice all the other chickens and treat anyone that looks like they need it, they will end up passing it around if you don't!

 

[sunket77]

just discovered this is not my only problem!! they have mites as well! ARG!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

A bath in flea/tick shampoo, then ivermectin pour-on.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
Or Frontline spray.

 

[sunket77]

Thanks! I am not sure what that is but I will find some! What about sevin dust? should I use that?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It won't get under the leg scales. You need to either put ivermectin or oil on the legs. Or both.

 

[muzzles&nuzzles]

Did you have the bird shipped or did you pick it up? I have made people really angry with me..but when I go to look at birds I pick them up and part the feathers around the vent area and look for lice and mites. I part the crest and look etc. I also check their feet. I never go into anyone elses coops and I change shoes and clothes when I get home. Part of that I learned from a friend part I learned by happily bringing home birds that were teeming in lice and mites. Live and Learn.

Look at everything when you are buying birds. Eyes, color of the waddles, are the birds scratching, shaking their heads etc. Yes, I am paranoid BUT rather safe than sorry.

Nothing quite ticks you off and ruins your day like having to wash a mess of birds in Adams flea and tick shampoo (including a blow dry) and a total cleanout of a coop plus having to debug it etc.

I am not saying to treat the person selling like they are selling nasty birds..mites can happen as can the scaly leg mites. But I am saying you can choose to NOT buy the bird and save yourself a headache.

When I wash silkies they get very cold. I have to blow dry them ASAP. How would I let the vinegar set on them? Also, do you mean use a laundry soap like in the spray bottle?? Like shout?

 

[sunket77]

thanks, this is my first time to have chickens, my others I raised from chicks this spring. I am still learning to spot things like this. And honestly I was so excited to have silkies I wasn't being real careful. I knew I was going to quarantine them. Oh well lesson learned I got them for a good price so I'm not complaining if I have to do some recon!