Found this on the internet.
This is how I treat my chickens for scale mites and it should work for the pigeons too.
http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/Edu_Material/Scaley_Leg_Mites.pdf
Notice thickened skin on shanks as well as on feet with raised scales. This will
slowly spread throughout the flock. If not treated will cause lameness and loss of
toes.
TREATMENT: Smother mites. One treatment is to daily smother the legs & toes of the chicken with
warmed petroleum jelly and garden sulfur powder for a minimum of 1 week using 1/2 cup of Vaseline to 2
tablespoons of dusting sulfur, rub in gently but apply thick. Then treat twice a week with warm Vaseline.
This will continue to smother mites that hatch and loosen old, crusty scales. Don’t expect raised scales to
return to normal. Use warm petroleum jelly every few days to loosen scales. Gently wash the legs & feet
with a mild soap and warm water.
PREVENTION:
On caged birds that are off the ground spray with WD-40 once every month or two. For ground
keepers dust the floors with 10% Sevin Dust or Rotone which can be purchased at your feed store or local
plant nursery. Many people are now also using diatamacious earth which seems to work well. Also, be
sure to get in cracks & crevices, the nesting boxes, and on perches in the cages as well as perches of the
ground keepers. An old fashioned flour sifter works great. This helps prevent most lice & mites from
taking over your barn
.
Along with the above treatment to prevent future problems all burrowing mites can be controlled
with Ivermectin (trade name Ivomec). Give bantams 5 to 7 drops by mouth; give large fowl 1/4 cc by
mouth. This is also an excellent wormer for poultry. The can be used up to 3 times a year but is better
used as part of your worming program.
Do not eat eggs or meat of these birds for a minimum of 2 weeks so plan your worming/parasite
program ahead of time.
This is how I treat my chickens for scale mites and it should work for the pigeons too.
http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/Edu_Material/Scaley_Leg_Mites.pdf
Notice thickened skin on shanks as well as on feet with raised scales. This will
slowly spread throughout the flock. If not treated will cause lameness and loss of
toes.
TREATMENT: Smother mites. One treatment is to daily smother the legs & toes of the chicken with
warmed petroleum jelly and garden sulfur powder for a minimum of 1 week using 1/2 cup of Vaseline to 2
tablespoons of dusting sulfur, rub in gently but apply thick. Then treat twice a week with warm Vaseline.
This will continue to smother mites that hatch and loosen old, crusty scales. Don’t expect raised scales to
return to normal. Use warm petroleum jelly every few days to loosen scales. Gently wash the legs & feet
with a mild soap and warm water.
PREVENTION:
On caged birds that are off the ground spray with WD-40 once every month or two. For ground
keepers dust the floors with 10% Sevin Dust or Rotone which can be purchased at your feed store or local
plant nursery. Many people are now also using diatamacious earth which seems to work well. Also, be
sure to get in cracks & crevices, the nesting boxes, and on perches in the cages as well as perches of the
ground keepers. An old fashioned flour sifter works great. This helps prevent most lice & mites from
taking over your barn
.
Along with the above treatment to prevent future problems all burrowing mites can be controlled
with Ivermectin (trade name Ivomec). Give bantams 5 to 7 drops by mouth; give large fowl 1/4 cc by
mouth. This is also an excellent wormer for poultry. The can be used up to 3 times a year but is better
used as part of your worming program.
Do not eat eggs or meat of these birds for a minimum of 2 weeks so plan your worming/parasite
program ahead of time.
