Is this scaly leg mites??

[WGregge]

Can someone tell me what this is? If it is scaly leg mites, what is the best treatment?

I have some new birds coming later this week and I know scaly leg mites are contagious. Do they have to come in contact with the affected birds to get it?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Those don't actually look too bad. But if you are concerned, the best treatment is to slather their legs with Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Yes, it's contagious, so treat all birds. Repeat every night for 5 to 7 nights. I say nights because it's so much easier to treat after they go to roost in the evening.

If you read anything that says to treat with gasoline, please disregard it! I can only imagine this got started by a misunderstanding somewhere. It's VASELINE that's needed, as the thick grease smothers the little buggers. Good luck!

 

[WGregge]

Those don't actually look too bad. But if you are concerned, the best treatment is to slather their legs with Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Yes, it's contagious, so treat all birds. Repeat every night for 5 to 7 nights. I say nights because it's so much easier to treat after they go to roost in the evening.

If you read anything that says to treat with gasoline, please disregard it! I can only imagine this got started by a misunderstanding somewhere. It's VASELINE that's needed, as the thick grease smothers the little buggers. Good luck!

I did read that actually. It said to use gasoline and then slather in A&D or Vaseline.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Gasoline is an irritant. If you don't believe me, get it on your own skin. It's not necessary.

 

[WGregge]

Gasoline is an irritant. If you don't believe me, get it on your own skin. It's not necessary.

I do believe you. I was questioning it to begin with. I’m sure it works at killing the mites but probably isn’t great for the chicken. I’m just not sure if the Vaseline will do it completely or not but I’ll give it a try. All I have currently is petroleum jelly or aquaphor do you think either of those will work?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Vaseline is a trade name for petroleum jelly, so yes, the petroleum jelly you have will work.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm not familiar with aquaphor.

 

[Happychucks33]

I have used olive oil if scaly mite not too bad and seen a improvement.
Sudocrem if they are bad and very sore to heal.
Anyone else had results with these products.
You need Todo it everyday or every other day to keep on top of it and check for lice too!

 

[Eggcessive]

Aquaphor also contains petroleum jelly, but much more expensive to us. Any oil will help to smother mites, including castor oil, mineral oil, and vegetable oil. Nustock cream, a horse product with sulfur powder, will kill the mites and heal at the same time.

 

[Happychucks33]

I've been using vegetable oil and sudocrem. Thanks for advice on Nustock cream, sounds like a two in one so l'll have a look at that