Treating a broody for scaley leg mites.

[PouleChick]

I need to treat all my chickens for scaley leg mite and have managed to find some vaseline which I'm thrilled about (wasn't sure if I could get it here), I'm going to mix in some Tea tree oil as well as my treatment. I have one silkie who is currently broody and sitting on eggs we are about 1/2 way through. My question is - should I wait until the chicks are born or treat now? I'm worried that the treatment will go into the pores of the eggs and cause issues.

Thanks!

 

[ashlierami]

I need to treat all my chickens for scaley leg mite and have managed to find some vaseline which I'm thrilled about (wasn't sure if I could get it here), I'm going to mix in some Tea tree oil as well as my treatment. I have one silkie who is currently broody and sitting on eggs we are about 1/2 way through. My question is - should I wait until the chicks are born or treat now? I'm worried that the treatment will go into the pores of the eggs and cause issues.

Thanks!

In my opinion since she's halfway through it might be okay to wait and treat her. Unless her leg mites are very bad and needing attention asap. She probably wouldn't appreciate being disturbed for every treatment. Broodys sure can be some mean ones! My girls are very friendly most of my broodys hatched here so I've had them since they hatched and became mom's and they still give me so much attitude and a peck every now and then when they are broody.

 

[PouleChick]

Yeah I think I'll leave it until she has them - don't want to risk the chicks but then also don't want to pass it on when they are little

 

[chickens really]

Just treat her after the eggs hatch although the Vaseline will get on the Chicks. How old is this Hen. Could also be scales that need to sluff off if an older Bird.

 

[PouleChick]

Just treat her after the eggs hatch although the Vaseline will get on the Chicks. How old is this Hen. Could also be scales that need to sluff off if an older Bird.

i am not 100% sure on her age - probably about 2. I got her earlier in the year and I think her mate had them but didn't find out until much later as a chicken newbie. i thought it was just scaring but no improvement so need to treat. I read on the huge SLM thread that someone did use vaseline on a broody with no ill effects but really not sure what to do.

 

[Fishkeeper]

How bad is the infestation?
You could use only vaseline, with no tea tree oil, on her. Vaseline on its own shouldn't hurt the eggs, and should still be effective, as it will still smother the mites. It'll at least slow the infestation down, if not end it outright.

 

[Shadrach]

I agree with the others. Minimum disturbance is my policy for broody hens.
While SLM is irritating for chickens it's not usually life threatening. Wait until the clutch hatches.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I need to treat all my chickens for scaley leg mite and have managed to find some vaseline which I'm thrilled about (wasn't sure if I could get it here), I'm going to mix in some Tea tree oil as well as my treatment. I have one silkie who is currently broody and sitting on eggs we are about 1/2 way through. My question is - should I wait until the chicks are born or treat now? I'm worried that the treatment will go into the pores of the eggs and cause issues.

Thanks!

Personally I would not use tea tree oil on chickens. It can be deadly with dogs (and cats I think) and that alone would put me off. But I know I have read not to on a few different occasions, including a thread here somewhere. If I find it I'll link it. Good luck with your hatch, I have never had chicks, but I'm feeling the itch...maybe some day.

 

[Fishkeeper]

It depends on the amount of tea tree oil. You have to dilute it with a carrier oil first, THEN use it, and only very small amounts.
Keep in mind that essential oils are extremely strong, and are hazardous to the health of just about all animals unless properly diluted.

 

[PouleChick]

Hi thanks so much for all your feedback and help. I am going to try to track down some castor oil after reading the huge 72 page thread on here! In the meantime I'm going to use my vaseline on the whole flock. I think I'll leave Hermoine be - she is a bit unsettleed and has left 7 of her 9 eggs to get cold - very confused - she is an experienced mama so thinking the others aren't viable (a bit of a split hatch but around day 14 or sightly more) and she is being a good mum. Will check it out in the morning but will not put anything on her until the chicks arrive and when I do I'll just put the vasesline (or castor oil if i find it) and no EO's.