Is this scaly leg mites and scaly face?

[termeerchick]

Hi!
The guy that used to live on our property moved about 3 weeks ago and left his 15 chickens for me to take care of (13 hens and 2 roosters). I have no idea how old they are or what breed, as I am fairly new at being a chicken mom. This morning I was finally able to catch one of the roosters. I wanted to check him over for mites/lice as I had a feeling they have them. Sure enough he has them. Anyways as I was holding him I noticed his legs looked scaly and dry. I researched scaly leg mites and I am almost positive he has it. I just wanted to double check with someone that will know for sure before I start treating it. Also I had no idea chickens could get face mites but quickly learned that while I was researching about the legs. Could you let me know what you think? I definitely think he has both face mites and scaly leg mites but again I want to make sure before I go putting medicine on him. Do you think the rest of the chickens have them? They are all pretty scared and I don’t think they have ever really been handled. Also what is the best way to cure it? I know that vaseline will work but I’m not sure I can catch all 15 chickens everyday and apply it. They are really scared. Is there anything else that will work? Also can humans get the lice or mites? I feel really itchy haha! If anyone has any input or information I would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you to everyone who has already helped me with the other questions/concerns I have posted. I would be a wreck without you guys.

Oh one more question!!! I have to worm my original hens and was going to worms those guys also. I am going to worm them with the EQUIMAX (ivermectin 1.8%/praziquantel 14.03%)
Because I’ve seen tape worm segments in their poop. Anyways will the ivermectin in the wormer help get rid of the scaly leg mites?

Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[so lucky]

Someone will come along soon that has experience in treating these issues. I can't imagine catching 15 terrified chickens daily or 2xdaily to treat them. I'm going to suggest that you devise a hook on a pole to catch them with. You just hook one leg and they are immobilized till you can get them under your arm to treat them. Well, maybe flapping a little. I think @Beekissed and perhaps @Shadrach has experience doing this. Good luck! Sometimes free things can turn out to be very expensive.

 

[Shadrach]

That looks like minor scaly leg mite.
Ivermectin is still effective for scaly leg mite I believe but wont deal with some worms.
I can't tell from the pictures of the faces what mite if it is a mite, that is effecting the face.
I assume these chickens roost in a coop at night (?) The easiest way to treat for worms and mites is to take each chicken off the perch at night and dose direct to the beak.

 

[termeerchick]

Someone will come along soon that has experience in treating these issues. I can't imagine catching 15 terrified chickens daily or 2xdaily to treat them. I'm going to suggest that you devise a hook on a pole to catch them with. You just hook one leg and they are immobilized till you can get them under your arm to treat them. Well, maybe flapping a little. I think @Beekissed and perhaps @Shadrach has experience doing this. Good luck! Sometimes free things can turn out to be very expensive.

Thank you! Yes they have become quite the “project” lol. I just feel bad for them and realize that they weren’t being cared for that well. Where would I get a catch pole like that? Does it look like he has scaly leg mites to you?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know that vaseline will work but I’m not sure I can catch all 15 chickens everyday and apply it. They are really scared. Is there anything else that will work

Treating birds after dark using a flashlight or headlamp and keeping things dim will eliminate all chasing and make it much easier for most flocks. Also makes it easier to make sure no one is missed.

Just looks like dry legs to me... SLM should have yellow growth coming out from under the scale. Also the legs would likely look irritated with terrible quality of feathers.

If you're sure it was tape worms and not just maggots, then yes I would treat everyone.

That one is a Silkie.

Yes, Ivermectin does treat SLM... not sure if the dosage will be right for it mixed with another drug. @casportpony may be able to give an exact answer here. I have never YET seen any bird with "face mites".

Poultry lice and mites can get on humans but they cannot actively live on them.

To really get a clue about external parasite load... inspecting after dark using a flashlight, part feathers below the vent and on the abdomen and look for things running away. Also take note if there are any "dirt clumps" stuck to the feather bases.

I can't see his spurs to get an estimate on age... older birds do get dry scales... they even come off and are replaced by new ones underneath. And the scales APPEAR to "lift" at places where bending happens cuz they have to make room for the other scales to fold during said bend.

Proper feed not diminished too far by treats can go a long way toward helping animals fight stuff off.

Very kind of you to do your best for this flock you've inherited!

 

[termeerchick]

That looks like minor scaly leg mite.
Ivermectin is still effective for scaly leg mite I believe but wont deal with some worms.
I can't tell from the pictures of the faces what mite if it is a mite, that is effecting the face.
I assume these chickens roost in a coop at night (?) The easiest way to treat for worms and mites is to take each chicken off the perch at night and dose direct to the beak.

Yes they roost in a coop at night. The only problem with that is that the guy made it himself and there is no real way to get in. It’s up off the ground or I would crawl in there little doorway. Also their roosts are high up in there so I wouldn’t be able to reach them either. It is attached to a run though and I was thinking of trying to catch them before I let them out to free range in the morning. It should be a real comedy show watching me “try” and catch them lol. I also was thinking of having my husband put a door on somehow because I am going to have to clean it up and get rid of the mites and lice that are in the coop.

 

[Shadrach]

Yes they roost in a coop at night. The only problem with that is that the guy made it himself and there is no real way to get in. It’s up off the ground or I would crawl in there little doorway. Also their roosts are high up in there so I wouldn’t be able to reach them either. It is attached to a run though and I was thinking of trying to catch them before I let them out to free range in the morning. It should be a real comedy show watching me “try” and catch them lol. I also was thinking of having my husband put a door on somehow because I am going to have to clean it up and get rid of the mites and lice that are in the coop.

A human door of some sort is indispensable really as you've discovered.
I have off ground coops with a large door at the back. You can try catching them as they come out in the morning but I think it will be a slow and stressful affair. A door should only take a couple of hours.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/shadrach’s-multi-coops.74344/

 

[termeerchick]

Treating birds after dark using a flashlight or headlamp and keeping things dim will eliminate all chasing and make it much easier for most flocks. Also makes it easier to make sure no one is missed.

Just looks like dry legs to me... SLM should have yellow growth coming out from under the scale. Also the legs would likely look irritated with terrible quality of feathers.

If you're sure it was tape worms and not just maggots, then yes I would treat everyone.

That one is a Silkie.

Yes, Ivermectin does treat SLM... not sure if the dosage will be right for it mixed with another drug. @casportpony may be able to give an exact answer here. I have never YET seen any bird with "face mites".

Poultry lice and mites can get on humans but they cannot actively live on them.

To really get a clue about external parasite load... inspecting after dark using a flashlight, part feathers below the vent and on the abdomen and look for things running away. Also take note if there are any "dirt clumps" stuck to the feather bases.

I can't see his spurs to get an estimate on age... older birds do get dry scales... they even come off and are replaced by new ones underneath. And the scales APPEAR to "lift" at places where bending happens cuz they have to make room for the other scales to fold during said bend.

Proper feed not diminished too far by treats can go a long way toward helping animals fight stuff off.

Very kind of you to do your best for this flock you've inherited!

Awe thank you sooo much!!! That’s soo helpful and makes me feel a little less stressed. If it’s not scaly leg mites then it probably is from being an older rooster. That makes me feel better. I can try to get a picture of his spurs. And as far as his face, are those little red bumps normal? I have so much to learn. You have been so helpful and I truly do appreciate it. When I picked him up this morning I definitely saw live lice running around. Especially on his neck and under his wings. I have some powder for that already and am planning on dusting them this weekend when my husband can help. But wanted to make sure that if that was SLM that I treated it all at once.

 

[Shadrach]

I beg to differ regarding the SLM. However, while you've got the chicken in your grasp a coating of Vaseline wouldn't harm. Coat the whole leg and do between the toes and underneath.

 

[jeepgirl13]

Maybe pick yourself up a long handled fishing net. The kind you use for landing fish onto the boat. My landlord has a telescoping handle one she uses to catch her pheasants and peafowl. If they can stay locked in the run while you do so even better!