Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
rough cracks, apply tea tree oil to the cracks and keep the bird on a soft clean surface.
Common homeopathic treatments are Hepar sulph or Silicea orally in combination
with calendula cream on the affected foot. Under any treatment, hens should be kept
clean and quiet with good nutrition and ample water. Check gauze or other wrapping
frequently so it doesn't become loose or tangled.
Scaly Leg Mites
Scaly leg mites are tiny external parasites called
Knemidocoptes mutans
that infect
only the shanks and feet of older hens. These mites feed under the hen's shank and
feet scales raising the scales by generating debris that accumulates beneath them. The
feet and shanks become thickened, crusted, and very irritated. These mites spread by
traveling from bird to bird on roosts or nest boxes and are very difficult to control.
Topical treatments for leg mites include scrubbing feet with soapy water and am-
monia then rubbing in a solution of garlic, cayenne, and vinegar. You can also try
smothering the mites by applying a coat of mineral oil, lavender oil, or Vaseline to
the feet and shanks every day. Internally it is helpful to boost the bird's defenses by
giving a free-choice mineral mix, kelp, and fresh greens. Sulphur pellets in the drink-
ing water every day is a useful homeopathic remedy. Roosts and nest boxes should
also be treated. Apply pyrethrin dust to the cracks of roosts and nest boxes and use
cedar chips in nest boxes during the treatment. This is a very difficult parasite to
eliminate.
Body Lice
Chicken body lice (
Menacanthus stramineus
) are the most common lice to infect
older hens. The lice are tiny and straw-colored and can be seen moving quickly away
when the feathers around the vent are parted. This louse leaves clusters of white eggs
(nits) attached to the feather base primarily around the vent and under the wings, but
also on the breast and head. These parasites are found in most flocks, but typically a
healthy, robust hen living on rotated pasture will not succumb to them. Any flock,
however, can have a flare-up while confined to winter housing, particularly when
their health is compromised by a cold or other infection. Severe infestations can seri-
ously reduce production since the hens are constantly irritated and cannot sleep.
Aside from ensuring good overall health and immunity, it is important to allow hens
to properly groom themselves. This includes not debeaking them and providing them
with effective dust bathing areas. Debeaked birds cannot preen properly and remove
