Treating Scaly Leg Mites

[schmije]

I recently discovered that one of my 10 hens has scaly leg mites. I did some research and found out that they can be treated by putting Vaseline or vegetable oil on the legs. I also learned that the whole flock needs to be treated as well as their coop. My questions are:

1. How do you apply the Vaseline or vegetable oil to the legs? With your hands? Dip them?

2. I read that the mites in the coop can be killed with Sevin dust. This sounds easy enough, but I have concerns about putting the girls back into the coop after it's been treated. Won't the Sevin hurt them if they eat some?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Chickenaddict]

If you haven't wormed them and would like to get 2 birds with 1 stone i can suggest ivermectin it treats worms as well as scaley leg mites. I need to do mine as well. Cochins are notorious for them and vasoline and veggie oil seems to wear off tooo quick to do any good altho some have had lots of luck with it i have not. As far as the coop goes, i use garden and poultry dust on the chickens as well as the coop, you must first get everything out of the coop and disinfect it then sprinkle it in every nook and cranny in the coop and then lay fresh bedding down in there. It shouldn't hurt them, i do it twice a year and have never had any bad side effects. Make sure to wear gloves and something over your nose and mouth so you don't injest any of it.

 

[sundance]

I pour Olive Oil in my hands and rub their legs, but I also use DE heavy on the roosts,and in the coop since i use lots of hay for them,I'm sorta new at this so someone else will probably know more than I do, good Luck getting rid of the mites. marrie

 

[cwc362]

Quote:
I have some ivermectin horse paste which i give my dogs-- Is there a way to give that to my chickens if I need to. Right now I don't see any signs of worms or mites but who know in the future.

Thanks --Wayne

 

[NCchickenlady]

Just got this off my local list, hope it helps. I put together a list of first aid stuff and someone sent this in......


I used once with great results to treat a case of scaley leg
mites - slathered on vaseline , wrapped in gause securd ith rubber bands -
removed gauze 2 days later, re applied and repeated, and removed second
time legs look MUCH MUCH better.

Beth
NC

 

[Chickenaddict]

Quote:
I have some ivermectin horse paste which i give my dogs-- Is there a way to give that to my chickens if I need to. Right now I don't see any signs of worms or mites but who know in the future.

Thanks --Wayne

I'm not sure but im sure someone on here would know about the paste

 

[schmije]

Well I waited until they went to bed tonight and 'basted' them all with vegetable oil while they were roosted for the night. They didn't seem too thrilled about it, but didn't fight it either - I think they were really confused. I figured it would be easiest to catch them while they're tired, and hopefully they won't mess with it until morning. I'll have DH treat the coop tomorrow, and I'll keep up the vegetable oil for a week or so.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I've got my fingers crossed that this works for them.

 

[pwand]

You can also use mineral oil as well.

 

[beautifulbirds]

Some people dip in kerosene and then rub vaseline in. Someone suggested using frontline (flea treatment for cats and dogs in NZ) and said that worked well for everything. Good luck.

 

[EweSheep]

I use Vicks on their legs and not a problem since then. It was suggested by a well known Silkie breeder.