WD40 what happens if.....

[JennsPeeps]

I was sitting here thinking about WD-40 being made of fish oil, "hmmm... learn something everyday", when I decided to let my fingers do the walking.

It is a common misperception that WD-40 is made of fish oil. It is not, therefore I would not use it on animals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

There is a popular urban legend that the main ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil.[2] Although it is unknown whether the formula contains fish oil, material safety data sheets for the product show that the main ingredient is Stoddard solvent, not fish oil.[3]

If you look up toxicity of "Stoddard solvent" you'll find that it's listed as an "irritant" but that long-term exposure:

Exposure to an average white spirit concentration of 240 mg/m3 (40 ppm) for more than 13 years could lead to chronic Central nervous system effects. White spirit is implicated in the development of "chronic toxic encephalopathy" among house painters.

I wouldn't use it on my animals. Use it on squeaky doors and cars, not horses or chickens.

ETA snopes article on this: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/wd-40.asp (note revised list of recommended WD-40 uses from the mantufacturer)​

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I don't know about WD-40, but while reading this I've been thinking about oil: "Oil" in the most general sense is from dead animals, no? Vaseline / Petroleum jelly is from oil too (use to gum up the drills on oil rigs).

WD-40 smells too strong for me to use and is probably also relatively more expensive than other oils for scaly leg mites.

There should be an oily based product with some kind of bug killer / repeller? What about orange oil?

Also, do you guys spray the oil on their feet? I would think that having a tall glass of oil for dunking their legs would be a good way to go (to get it into every nook and cranny).

Here is my thread on scaly leg mites: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=33903

We didn't keep up on it like we should have and our poor hens' legs aren't looking so good.

 

[patandchickens]

Just to emphasize what JennsPeeps said:

WD-40 is not made of fish oil. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

Its main active agents are petroleum distillates (mineral spirits), not recommended for use on skin.

Here is the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on aerosol WD-40:
http://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf


Pat

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Huh, this thread has taught me a lot

I hadn't planned on using WD-40 unless nothing else worked and wanted to be SURE it was a safe thing to use. I'm not even 100% sure my lil hen has them but I got her from another breeder and she is now in quarantine but during inspection of her she does appear to have something on her toe area's (blackish bumpy lumpy things)...I'm going to be taking pics and posting here as soon as I can get some help with her. So thanks for all your info on this thread I have learned a lot

 

[DTchickens]

i used Pam... on my chickens legs. worked and i couldn't find it to be toxic,. next thing i use though. will be vegetable oil since we have a huge bottle.. we never use

 

[Beekissed]

I wouldn't use orange oil either...very much an irritant and can burn their skin. Did you know orange oil is combustible?

 

[laughingllama75]

Pam and olive oil on chicken legs.........mmmm, I'm getting hungry. LOL. KIDDING!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:

hehehe

 

[tiki244]

Vicks Vapo Rub is much more effective........


Or just plain peppermint oil. Use a Q-tip to apply it and you can get it into the spots you want. The mites hate it.



You could even wash the legs first with Castile peppermint liguid soap and an old toothbrush and then apply it. .




And adde some pine needles to the bedding also and they will be gone in no time.



Add a little cat flea powder too, but not much, and dont use dog powder.

 

[CountryMom]

I have used WD40 on a horse - and would in the same situation again. She stepped into a 5 gallon pail of creosole paint. It had dried and began to inflame her leg by the time I found it. So, at 8 pm at night I tried several things and low and behold, WD40 litterally washed it off the leg. I then proceeded to wash her leg with an oatmeal soap for comfort. Call the vet the next morning and he said it was probably the best thing I could have done to save her leg. She recovered and once the swelling was down has not shown any signs of lameness. Crazy filly.

I would not use it on a chicken for something that could easily be treated with a vegatable or olive oil though. It was not my first choice for my horse, but the only product I could find in an emergency to work.