Vaseline on Feet: Roost, Barn, or House?

[Anon112]

I have a rooster who I believe has scaly leg mites.

I'm going to use the method that worked for another chicken years ago: a soapy water soak and then vaseline on his feet/lower legs.

Tonight the temperatures are supposed to get down to the lower 20s. I do not want him to get really cold because there is a substance on his leg. My choices are:
1) Put him back on the roost. (They roost in the "open" in their run, with a tarp currently set up to block any wind.)
2) Put him in a large dog crate in my barn. The barn does a great job of blocking the wind and is relatively warm, but it not at all heated.
3) Put him in a box in my house, in a portion of the house that is unheated.

I was leaning toward the barn option. Do you all think he'd be okay, or would even that be too cold for him with the vaseline on his legs?

 

[CCsGarden]

I don't think he will be to cold with the vaseline. I use it all the time on mine.

 

[AGeese]

20s isn't not bad, as long as you dry the legs before you put the vaseline on. I wouldn't be too concerned until single digits or if wind chill starts to increase.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would think any place out of the wind will be adequate. There should not be too much of a temperature differential between where he spends the night and where he will be the next day. So if the house is in the 60's and outdoors is in the 20's (for example) I would not put him in the house. Can you put some other birds in with him, two, maybe, so he can benefit from their body heat?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@coach723

Your opinions please?

 

[Anon112]

Thank you both so much! I patted the feet dry before putting on the vaseline and I did decide to put him in the barn overnight just in case.

(Right now I'm having a "when it rains it pours" month. I just had to put one down because she had a spreading bone cancer, I came home the other night to find a hen with a mysterious cut/injury totally blood-soaked. I just want my little chickies to be happy and healthy!)

 

[Anon112]

I would think any place out of the wind will be adequate. There should not be too much of a temperature differential between where he spends the night and where he will be the next day. So if the house is in the 60's and outdoors is in the 20's (for example) I would not put him in the house. Can you put some other birds in with him, two, maybe, so he can benefit from their body heat?

I was also worried about him being in the house and being in shock if I put him outside in the morning. Right now he's alone in the barn where it's pretty cozy but not too warm (probably mid-30s, but with no wind). You think I should put a cuddle-buddy in there with him?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I was also worried about him being in the house and being in shock if I put him outside in the morning. Right now he's alone in the barn where it's pretty cozy but not too warm (probably mid-30s, but with no wind). You think I should put a cuddle-buddy in there with him?

Yeah I think at least one. Two if there's room.

 

[Anon112]

Yeah I think at least one. Two if there's room.

I'll go grab him a few friends.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hope he does well.