Using Gasoline to cure scaly leg mites on silkies???

[BeastyBird]

I did the whole leg which I think is part of the mistake, the other part being I also did not think to wring out the feathers.

It is hard to tell if they have recovered fully, I put them on the lawn in the shade and the one ate some grass and the other bit me so they must be feeling better but they are kind of just sitting there (but it is their first time loose so they could just be starstruck, it is also 103)

 

[BeastyBird]

They are recovered and I felt I had to do the third bird or what happened with the first would be even more moot...

This time I dipped just the feet and wrung the feathers dry, I also held the bird so I could keep its feet as far from its face as possible, this time the bird was a little affected but nothing that scared the crap out of me like with the other 2.


I am heavily debating if I want to do the 3 day treatment or consider once enough... but then I did wash the first 2 so I am wondering if the gas kills on contact or did it need to dry onto their legs to get the job done?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

dipped 2 birds and IT DID NOT GO WELL. The gas did not dry from their feathers near as fast as I expected AND WITHIN MINUTES THEY BECAME SUBDUED IN NATURE AND THEN TIPSY AND FAINT. I quickly washed them with Dawn detergent and put them in the sun to dry but then saw they were shivery so I blow dried them most of the way dry and have them back in the sun and I dearly hope they are just shivering and do not have twitchy brain damage from the fumes.

Bad bad bad.

I did the whole leg which I think is part of the mistake, the other part being I also did not think to wring out the feathers.

It is hard to tell if they have recovered fully, I put them on the lawn in the shade and the one ate some grass and the other bit me so they must be feeling better but they are kind of just sitting there (but it is their first time loose so they could just be starstruck, it is also 103)

They are recovered and I felt I had to do the third bird or what happened with the first would be even more moot...

This time I dipped just the feet and wrung the feathers dry, I also held the bird so I could keep its feet as far from its face as possible, this time the bird was a little affected but nothing that scared the crap out of me like with the other 2.


I am heavily debating if I want to do the 3 day treatment or consider once enough... but then I did wash the first 2 so I am wondering if the gas kills on contact or did it need to dry onto their legs to get the job done?

Oh gosh! I would be scared too! Gas evaporates, that is why it has to stay in a sealed container, it usually only takes a few hours, then oily residue may remain

U may need to retreat the ones you washed cause dawn cuts oil

 

[BeastyBird]

They have the A+D on their feet now (horrible slimy greasy stuff ick!) so I guess when I do the second dip the day after tomorrow I will consider it a re-start of their treatment.

so with today's lessons learned I present to thee:

Notes for those treating feather legged chickens with gasoline
Perform in a well ventilated area
Dip only the lower half of the lower leg
Do the dip as fast as possible
Squeeze the feathers dry with a wad of paper towel
Leave the area to get the bird out of airborne fumes
Hold the bird with its feet stretched down to keep the fumes as far from their face as possible
WATCH YOUR BIRD slight subdued nature is one thing but if the get tipsy and cannot stay upright wash thoroughly with Dawn



Overall I cannot say I am a huge fan of this method, it is exposing birds to fumes that make them notably dizzy and possibly nauseous, but I really do not have the time nor patience for the slower safer route. I simply cannot be slathering the legs of these semi tame chickens every day for weeks, and I hope I never have to perform this on the birds I am more attached to than these newbies.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

They have the A+D on their feet now (horrible slimy greasy stuff ick!) so I guess when I do the second dip the day after tomorrow I will consider it a re-start of their treatment.

so with today's lessons learned I present to thee:

Notes for those treating feather legged chickens
Perform in a well ventilated area
Dip only the lower half of the lower leg
Do the dip as fast as possible
Squeeze the feathers dry with a wad of paper towel
Leave the area to get the bird out if airborne fumes
Hold the bird with its feet stretched down to keep the fumes as far from their face as possible
WATCH YOUR BIRD slight subdued nature is one thing but if the get tipsy and cannot stay upright wash thoroughly with Dawn



Overall I cannot say I am a huge fan of this method, it is exposing birds to fumes that make them notably dizzy and possibly nauseous, but I really do not have the time nor patience for the slower safer route. I simply cannot be slathering the legs of these semi tame chickens every day for weeks, and I hope I never have to perform this on the birds I am more attached to than these newbies.

good luck

 

[koolfunchicks]

Thanks for the updates. Good luck with round two.

 

[BeastyBird]

I know this is going to sound nuts, and it may be a horrible idea... but what about using paint to fight off scaly leg mites?

I am an artist for a living and my hands (or more of me if doing a mural) are often covered in acrylic paint, fabric paint, and house paint. I never can bother to be distracted by the notion of cleaning paint off me before it dries, so I always end up with it dried to me, and I long ago learned to not bother to try and get it off that it will flake off eventually. Luckily none of it is toxic, there are no fumes, and it never irritates my skin. (I currently have dried fabric paint all across my fingers, which is what prompted this)

So what if I dipped chicken legs in paint to suffocate the mites? One can leave them in a cardboard box until it dries or even set up a pen full of paper for some chicken art, and once dry it would not be sticky and greasy like oil or ointment. I imagine it would not need to be reapplied much if at all during the time frame needed to be sure everything is dead (10 days if my research serves me right) and it would eventually come off yes?

So am I nuts or am I on to something?

About the only issue I can think of is that the the legs may be too much surface to fully cover? is it an issue for the skin of the legs to not breath at all for such a long time? (but does it need to breath?)

 

[jroberts]

If you're uncomfortable with gas. Next time use garlic oil. Put in spray bottle or on your finger and run it under the scales of their feet. Also wormwood root hanging from roost helps keep them out of the pen. That's what my grandmother did with hers anyway. IDK where you'd get wormwood though.

 

[jroberts]

It will probably burn though. Probably much like isopropyl alcohol.

 

[koolfunchicks]

I know this is going to sound nuts, and it may be a horrible idea... but what about using paint to fight off scaly leg mites?

I am an artist for a living and my hands (or more of me if doing a mural) are often covered in acrylic paint, fabric paint, and house paint. I never can bother to be distracted by the notion of cleaning paint off me before it dries, so I always end up with it dried to me, and I long ago learned to not bother to try and get it off that it will flake off eventually. Luckily none of it is toxic, there are no fumes, and it never irritates my skin. (I currently have dried fabric paint all across my fingers, which is what prompted this)

So what if I dipped chicken legs in paint to suffocate the mites? One can leave them in a cardboard box until it dries or even set up a pen full of paper for some chicken art, and once dry it would not be sticky and greasy like oil or ointment. I imagine it would not need to be reapplied much if at all during the time frame needed to be sure everything is dead (10 days if my research serves me right) and it would eventually come off yes?

So am I nuts or am I on to something?

About the only issue I can think of is that the the legs may be too much surface to fully cover? is it an issue for the skin of the legs to not breath at all for such a long time? (but does it need to breath?)

Interesting idea. Maybe someone with more experience will weigh in. Given the idea is to smother the mites it just might work. Just stay away from any red tones. You might end up with some cool (get it? greens, blues, purples) art!