[indigo]

Hi
My hen that has hatched the babies, has what looks to me like scalyleg.  I found mites in her nesting box last week, and they could only have been there a day or two, as i had constantly checked.  When i found them, i treated the coop and havent seen any since.  I let her out yesterday with the chicks and am sure it is scalyleg.  I dont really want to treat with any chemicals as the chicks are under her.  Would just vaseline be ok - or what else can i use.  Is the vaseline ok or would it get on to the chicks and affect them.

[Lewjam]

Vasaline treat the symptoms, front line (for cats) to treat the mites. 

Though i would wait for some one who has reared allot of chickes to tell you if front line while sitting will make any difference... (my guess would be no)

[joyfull]

I treat my broodies with frontline 

[Helenaj]

You will need to treat the chicks as well because they apparently catch the mite automatically from the parent. However, I would wait until they are a little bit older before using Frontline (which is very effective). Just dab some of the Frontline between the "shoulderblades" with a cottonwool tip.

[kegs]

You might want to read this too.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=84378.msg939213#msg939213

[indigo]

Hi
thanks for the replies - will get some frontline - is it for cats or kittens? and put vaseline on.

[Helenaj]

Get the kitten one - I usually use the spray as it's far easier to spray the hens than to try and hold them and use the pipette type. For an adult hen about 3 short squirts, for chicks I usually spray a little into the lid and dab it on with a cotton bud. If you use the Frontline you don't need to use Vaseline.

[kegs]

Hi
thanks for the replies - will get some frontline - is it for cats or kittens? and put vaseline on.

Don't use both.  Hillfooter said in a similar thread on scaly leg:

"One thing though DON'T use both petrolium jelly (Vaseline) and FL or you are wasting your time and money.  FL works by spread across the skin not by being absorbed internalloy so puttng a protective barrier on the legs will just prevent it working.  Also don't keep washing the legs for teh same reason.

Use FL or PJ but not both together."