I have one or two birds which I am suspicious about whether they may have the start of scaly face. I'd like to treat all the birds just incase but preferably with a natural remedy. Does olive oil work?

Kaz told me to use a q-tip with a little bit of vasaline but don't cover the nostrils.

Great idea! Better than oil I guess because it stays on a little longer rather than just soaking straight in. Thanks Elly (and Kaz)

There's a lot of home rememdies and of course they work best for budgies that can be handled.....and the meds applied often. I would use other means as most of my birds are aviary birds and not pet types. You can use baby oil too. Basically to smother the tunnels the mites hide in where they have burrowed into the beak area. I use spot on ivermectin.

Edited May 5, 200817 yr by KAZ

Is that the one that I can get in bottles from stockfeed places Kaz? Mine are all aviary birds so ongoing treatment was something I was concerned about...

Is that the one that I can get in bottles from stockfeed places Kaz? Mine are all aviary birds so ongoing treatment was something I was concerned about...

I dont know about stockfeed supplies of ivermectin as mine is from our avian vet. The ivermectin for stock I have been told has to be diluted...to what strength I am unsure. A small dropper bottle of spot on from my vet is $9 and goes a very long way.

Edited May 4, 200817 yr by KAZ

I always keep a bottle of baby oil in the breeding room. It's good for the preparation of birds for show.

 

Spray AIL to stop the mites coming back.

 

Edited May 4, 200817 yr by Daz

I already use that one a few times a year Daz so no worries there, they still are looking a little scaly face so I think I haven't been using it often enough. I will talk to my vet about ivermec to clean them up for now and then increase the AIL treatment frequency.

AIL should be good for 6 months. I spray it after cleaning and get in all the cracks and hiding holes. It's also good for red mite.

They haven't been treated for about 4 months, if I treat them now will that get rid of scaly face or do they need a seperate treatment now that they have it? It started when I introduced some birds to the aviary, it was only on the edges of a couple of females and they were just coming in to breeding condition so I didn't think anything of it when they were in quarantine as I thought it was just that but now I'm not so sure.

I use Castor oil, Its nice a thick and helps keep the mites at bay... I think i have a few 'suspect' birds at the moment that i will treat with the Castor oil too.

Edited May 5, 200817 yr by KAZ