Scaly leg - seems to be getting worse!

[charlielavin]

Hello

One of my light sussex has scaly leg, I posted about recently and got some great advice. I've been spraying her with the Nextrex scaly leg stuff for a couple of weeks now. Though I was warned that I might not see an improvement until she moults, I noticed this morning her foot looks worse :shock: - its gone red and seems the more scales are coming up. Is there anything else I can do to help her? The weather has been horrible for the last few days I don't suppose that helps, though they seem quite happy to stand out in the pouring rain!

Charliex

 

[charlielavin]

Hello just doing a bit more research, one treatment recommended was fuciderm cream. I have some in as my poor cats suffers from harvest mites a lot this time of year and the vet prescribed some. Has anyone used this? Is it OK for chickens?

Cx

 

[Davidd]

Hi Charlie- i have always found the new scaly leg products not very good at all- the best is good old fashioned cooking oil- any type, just dip their legs in up to the top- let it drip for a min and done- you will need to do it weekly for two or three weeks and you wont see a big difference for up to a year- once they moult out the old, raised scales. Surgical spirit is good too but dont use it on legs that are red and sore looking- it stings.
You can also use vaseline- all you are doing with any oil based stuff is smothering the mites- i have known people in the past use old engine oil, benzel benzoate, WD 40 and loads of oil based products but i always use cooking oil- vegtable, olive, sunflower, nut or anything that is cheap- a little messy ( especially for feather legged breeds but no harm if they eat it and no stinging or pain.
regards, David

 

[snifter]

Yup, with Davidd on this one. Only I use Vaseline. Smother their legs in it. Have used WD40 a few times also when not had any Vaseline to hand. Also surgical spirit, but not if legs are red.

I'd not spend money on the treatments for scaley mite you can buy in shops.

It can take months for the old mite scales to grow out, even once the mites are dead.

 

[Anonymous]

My chickens have got it too, and I was advised to use baby oil. I have been using this for a number of weeks now, although hadn't realised that the legs still look bad even after the mites have gone!!!! The chickens seem to enjoy having their legs bathed though, so it must give them some sort of relief from the itching, as when I pour the oil on, they suddenly relax and spread out there toes!!! CHicken pedicure!!!!

 

[senna]

Hi, visited my vet today regarding my chooks problems and happened to ask about useing Frontline on chickens and was told it was perfectly safe to use, as long as you use the cat form and only use half the tube for a chicken applied to the back of their neck or use the spray. They also told me they use it to treat scaly leg except instead of putting it on their neck you rub it on their legs. Please let me know if you decide to try it and if successful. Regards