Possible Scaly mites-need help pls

[bumblerumble20]

Hi there, I have 4 hens and they are 9 years old. I have one hen that is having difficulty walking and using her wings as she is off balance. She walks gingerly like they hurt. Upon closer inspection it looks like she has scaly mites. I have been soaking all of their legs in soapy epsom water and then canola oil then topped off with Vaseline slathered. How can I ease her pain? Can I give her ibuprofen and if so what dose? She is eating and drinking and talking and my favorite girl. I don’t want to put her down but I worry she is miserable and suffering….advice please, wise ones.

 

[Eggcessive]

You are doing the right thing with the oil. Some use Vicks salve which has camphor, eucaliptis oil and menthol which the American Poultry Association recommends to kill the mites and the menthol can soothe the itching and pain. Other treatments include Nustock cream with pine oil and sulfur that does the same thing. Repeat the treatment several times a week, and in a month or so you will see new scales growing in. Martins or Gordons Permethrin 10 concentrate can be mixed 5 ml in a liter or quart of water, and used in a spray bottle or garden sprayer to treat your coop nests and roosts, before replacing the bedding. That is also good for lice or body mites. Do use permethrin if you are a bee keeper.

 

[bumblerumble20]

Thank you for the response and the recommendation of Vick’s salve. I appreciate it.