Is scaly leg just 'one of those things'/inevitable?

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I was just pondering on my sclay leg bantam. Is it inevitable? I'm treating her as per the very helpful advice on this forum, and that, in itself, is not a problem.
But is it OK for large-sclae professional breeders to sell me a hen like this? When I asked about her legs I was told that they were just mucky.
This breeder is only an hour away and the drive is through pleasnat countryside, but I'm put off from getting further stock from him becasue of this experience.
I did email the guy and explain how upset I was with the situation, but even though he was happy to answer all my previous enquiries, curiously enough, he has been silent on this matter.
Am I being too sensitive?
Would you sell a hen with scaly leg without mentioning it and telling the newbie how to treat it?
Liz

 

[Davidd]

Hi Liz, i wouldn't sell anything with scaly leg- but my stock doesn't have it so no problems there. You will only get it on birds bought in- new stock- and in it's early stages it is easily treated- just check any new future purchases carefully and you shouldn't have a problem. It can take a while to shift in feathered leg breeds and these need more frequent treatment once they have it but having said that it is not a major problem- just that a lot of newbies don't know what to look for, bring their bird/birds home and it spreads to the other birds.I would be careful from buying from your local supplier if he is offering birds with scaly leg for sale- all his stock will probably have it.
regards David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, David,
One good leason learnt - I know now to look for sclay leg.
I went to see a couple of Pekins from a hobby breeder at the weekend, and they were in such a bad state. Their sclay leg was 10 times worse than the one I bought and one of them had a yellow face, and I mean bright yellow. (they were balck hens, by the way)
Making mistakes is the way we learn - at least I knew not to buy the Pekins, poor things.
Liz

 

[podstable]

Hi Liz - This is only what I do, but, about every 6 weeks I give my birds legs (many feather legged) a good rub with vaseline or soak in liq. paraffin (from the chemist!!) as a prevention against SLM. By the time you see it the mites are establishing , its a cheap and easy (if messy) thing to do , I find this keeps their legs clear. the mite that causes scaley leg is widely spread in wild birds (or so I understand) so all free range chooks are likely to be exposed. Ros

 

[victorias poultry]

I thought scaley leg only effected older birds? I bought some old (look 4 - 5 years old) large orps at a market because I felt so sorry for them, the scaly leg must have been 2" thick. A few months down the line they are alot better, 1 girl still has a little scales but will come of in next mault.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Liz,
personally,I think it is very wrong for anyone to knowlingly sell poultry with scaley leg mite.If at somebodies premises,I was interested in a bird that had it,I would feel very cross if they sold me the bird,and,didn't explain about the scaley mite,so I had the option too not buy the bird.

 

[Anonymous]

Lydia, that's exactly how I feel.
He knew I was a beginner and blatantly lied to me, even though I asked about the legs. I think I'll cross him off my list.
The legs, by the way, are much better.
Liz

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Liz,
another forum member on this forum was thinking of selling me some of her birds.One of those had had scaley leg mite,she explained about it,and also brought some stuff to treat it,just incase it wasn't quite gone.Although I suspect that was more for my benefit than the hen,she was fine and so were her friends.
After a similar experience to you,although mine was dealt with completely differently,I think it is very wrong,that you didn;t recieve the same courtesy from your seller.
I think you're right to not approach him again.
The hen must be so relieved you bought her and are treating her.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Lydia,
I think you and I are singing off the same hymn sheet.
As you know from other posts, I am sending this lovely little hen to a friend. I have explained to her about the scaley leg mite and that I am treating it and told her how to continue for a few more weeks, just in case.
She is fine with that. I could never have just handed Susie over, the poor hen would have suffered and I'd have an angry friend.
What a difference a few words can make.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Liz,

singing of the same hymn sheet ,if you heard me sing literally you'd run away with your hands over your ears :lol: ,but,it is an applicable saying,especially with situations like this.
I was very lucky that I approached a responsible person on this forum,I think all of us who post on here are.
At least the peeps who join in the forum and chat,as opposed to peeps who join to post about birds they are selling and are not interested in contributing their experiences and advice to the rest of us.They probably are responsible,but,we don't get to know them,so,I would think twice about contacting them,incase they were un-reliable.