Identify my new Trio!

[Tally]

Hi .. I have acquired what I think is a cock and 2 pullets, (Bantys).. Can anyone tell me the breed. I understand they are 16 weeks old,..Thanx.

 

[chrismahon]

Looks like a Partridge Wyandotte Bantam on the left Tally. No idea on the right but check the feet for scaley leg mite as they look suspect on the photos.

 

[Tally]

will do that chris..thanks

 

[foxy]

I think left female partridge and right male partridge wyandotte?

 

[Tally]

Thanx foxy.. and Chris, re. the legs on the cock,.. they are fine..I thing normal rings around all the way up.. the jpeg i think is a bit distorted due to dragging to size.. 11

 

[chrismahon]

Looks perfectly healthy to me Tally. Just something to keep an eye on, as it creeps up on you and all of a sudden you notice when it's really quite bad.

 

[Tally]

Thanks for the advice Chris.. I will keep an eye on that.. what causes scaly mite anyway?..is it just dirty chicken houses etc.?

 

[chrismahon]

Like all infestations they literally fall from the sky. Passing wild birds are the culprits, drop them onto the ground and they jump onto the first available host. They are a very tiny mite which lives and burrows under the scales. Their poo builds up and gradually forces the scales upwards effectively tearing them off. Fungus can grow in the poo as well which makes it far worse. Very painful for the chickens.
Worst case I saw was on a cockerel at a customer's house (worse than any internet photos). His hens had been killed by a fox and Boris was on his own and very neglected. The fungal growth was 10mm thick and went over his knee joint. Scales were not visible. He couldn't move his toes at all, it was as though his legs were encased in concrete! I rescued him and he was treated -took about 6 months before it all fell off and new scales started to grow.

It spreads between chickens in a coop very slowly, but you are wise to treat all if you have one. Doubt the cleanliness of the coop has much to do with the mite but will be the cause of subsequent fungal infection.

 

[Tally]

Crikeyy Chris,..that is a horror story,.. I will keep a close eye on it all... I suppose I will need some powder or something from a vet?? :?:

 

[chrismahon]

The prescribed method is a brush on treatment called Benzol Benzoate. The cheapest stuff we ever bought from the vet 2 years ago -£1.50 and we still have 3/4's of the bottle. Someone on the forum soaked their feet in vegetable oil for 5 minutes, 3 times. Apparently suffocates the mite and conditions the scales as well but I've never tried it, but intend to.

Have heard of people using Ivermectin and Frontine but I can't see it will be that effective and it's rather expensive. Also heard of WD40 being employed after it being suggested -the poor owner had her hen screaming in agony until she scrubbed it all off its feet. Don't try that one Tally!

 

[Tally]

Thanks Chris,.. that is valuable info just in case.

Tally

 

[carolb0101]

That's very interesting. The guy we got our girls from told us to use WD40. If, and when, we'll try the veg oil.

Thanks