Treating Scaly Leg Mites in 60+ Birds

[WVduckchick]

A good way to inspect them is by taking pics and zooming the pics. I scour my pictures all the time. See a speck, zoom, and it's just a fleck of dirt. But it's helpful sometimes, especially on birds that you can't handle easily.

 

[casportpony]

where I got my info;

http://www.sweeth2o.us/health.html
"...Grown birds are treated with 1cc of ivermectin per quart of water for 2 days. Mix a fresh batch as needed each day. ..."
"....generic Ivomec from Jeffers Supply. Some feed stores carry it. Jeffers has it on sale sometimes and it is cheaper than my feed store even with shipping. DO NOT GET POUR ON. Pour on is oil based and will not mix with the water. GET INJECTABLE...."

https://www.meetup.com/AustinBackyardPoultry/messages/boards/thread/23965462
"... 1% water soulable is injectable and can be used in
the water. "

I did an experiment with my bottle of injectable where I added some to a vile of water and in less than five minutes it was floating on the surface.

I need to follow up with an experiment where I tube ivermectin water to a bird. This will prove either way if it's water soluble or not.

 

[Redhead Rae]

A good way to inspect them is by taking pics and zooming the pics. I scour my pictures all the time. See a speck, zoom, and it's just a fleck of dirt. But it's helpful sometimes, especially on birds that you can't handle easily.

And that is most of my birds. There are only a few that get close enough for me to grab and that is only if I sneak attack them.

Can you see mites in pictures?

I tried taking pictures this morning, but it is hard when my birds don't want to cooperate and I didn't get a single clear image. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well last night and I have a cold that is really starting to kick my butt. It is freezing outside as well. I'm thinking I'll wait until it thaws on Monday and I have help to get pictures.

The clean legged birds I did get my hands on this morning look like they have lifted scales on their feet, but not on their legs. I'm wondering if it was from being in a wet environment for a while? The Cornish definitely had lifted leg scales. I got a hold of Molasses (my Cochin rooster) and his scales are rough looking, but not really lifted. Then again, I couldn't get a look under his foot feathers because I didn't have someone to hold him.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

A drop of ivermectin pour-on to the skin at the base of the neck (I use a 22g needle to form a drop, or two if it's a larger breed). You will not be able to consume any meat or eggs for at least 6 weeks after treating them all. Unfortunately, this will involve handling them all individually. While you are handling them, a good coating of mineral oil to the legs certainly won't hurt.
Treatment with ivermectin and oil should be repeated at least once 10 days later, preferably a third time 10 days after that. They are very contagious.
Dose is pretty imprecise given that this is a preparation made for cattle, so it's very concentrated for a chicken, so take care with it. Diluting it will have an effect on how it crosses the skin, so I don't recommend that. Ivermectin goes right into the fat so it will surely contaminate meat and eggs for a long time.
https://www.amazon.com/Durvet-Ivermectin-Pour-Dewormer-250mL/dp/B00JAL3AAW

 

[Redhead Rae]

A drop of ivermectin pour-on to the skin at the base of the neck (I use a 22g needle to form a drop, or two if it's a larger breed). You will not be able to consume any meat or eggs for at least 6 weeks after treating them all. Unfortunately, this will involve handling them all individually. While you are handling them, a good coating of mineral oil to the legs certainly won't hurt.
Treatment with ivermectin and oil should be repeated at least once 10 days later, preferably a third time 10 days after that. They are very contagious.
Dose is pretty imprecise given that this is a preparation made for cattle, so it's very concentrated for a chicken, so take care with it. Diluting it will have an effect on how it crosses the skin, so I don't recommend that. Ivermectin goes right into the fat so it will surely contaminate meat and eggs for a long time.
https://www.amazon.com/Durvet-Ivermectin-Pour-Dewormer-250mL/dp/B00JAL3AAW

Thanks, but since this isn't a life or death issue at the moment, I'm going to take the more labor intensive way in favor of maintaining the organic integrity of my flock.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Edited my first post to clarify my flock raising strategy, and treatment preferences.

 

[casportpony]

A drop of ivermectin pour-on to the skin at the base of the neck (I use a 22g needle to form a drop, or two if it's a larger breed). You will not be able to consume any meat or eggs for at least 6 weeks after treating them all. Unfortunately, this will involve handling them all individually. While you are handling them, a good coating of mineral oil to the legs certainly won't hurt.
Treatment with ivermectin and oil should be repeated at least once 10 days later, preferably a third time 10 days after that. They are very contagious.
Dose is pretty imprecise given that this is a preparation made for cattle, so it's very concentrated for a chicken, so take care with it. Diluting it will have an effect on how it crosses the skin, so I don't recommend that. Ivermectin goes right into the fat so it will surely contaminate meat and eggs for a long time.
https://www.amazon.com/Durvet-Ivermectin-Pour-Dewormer-250mL/dp/B00JAL3AAW

The effective pour on dose using the pour on cattle product is 0.045 ml per pound of body weigh (0.5 mg/kg) which is ~0.23 ml per five pounds. Some pigeon formularies say to use twice this amount, which is what I use.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks, but since this isn't a life or death issue at the moment, I'm going to take the more labor intensive way in favor of maintaining the organic integrity of my flock.

If you do decide to use invermectin, please do use it properly, which will mean dosing them by weight.

 

[BlueJayFarm]

The Chicken Chick has an a write-up on using gasoline as suggested by an avian vet, I believe. Might want to look that up since it was a fairly sraightforward and quick process.

 

[Redhead Rae]

The Chicken Chick has an a write-up on using gasoline as suggested by an avian vet, I believe. Might want to look that up since it was a fairly sraightforward and quick process.

Since I'm doing organic method, petrochemicals (which includes gasoline and vasoline) are out as well. I did read a write up that suggested using grain alcohol as a dip instead.