Feather mites or mud fever? - HELP!

[locl6]

Hi all
I have a heavy feathered cob who has scabs behind his knees. i have been told its mud fever and so have been hibi-scrubbing the area and putting sudo cream on it to soften the scabs - however it hasnt appeared to have solved the problem.
The second thing i thought it could be was mites or mallenders ( cob knee.) because he does seem to scratch them alot.
Im reluctant to cut his feathers off or use an injection as he is terrified of them. ive also heard that they dont work.
Does anyone have an ideas on how to solve this problem?! or does anyone have experience with using products like frontline?
I want to avoid calling the vet out aswell...
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!!

 

[Yertis]

I use cattle Spot On with mine, 10ml down the back of each leg, part the feathers and put hair grips in to keep out the way then apply to the skin. Do all 4 legs in case it is mites. DON'T forget to do a test first to make sure he's not allergic, I do that just inside the elbow where the skin is sensitive.
If the scabby bits behind the knees down't want to go use a cream for dry skin, something like E45, put it on really thick and massage in, do a figure of 8 wrap with cling film then a bandage and leave overnight if possible. Works for my 3 hairies lol!!

 

[Archiepoo]

it sounds like mallenders and sallenders to me (or cob knee) which is basically a build up of skin behind the knee and it itches because the air cant get to it and its all scaly, we have several hairys on my yard and one of the owners use a mud fever scab debriding lotion on it to get rid of the scabby skin and then udder cream or pig oil to keep it softened, works very well. but unfortunatly i believe this is an auto-immune disease like psorriasis so its a management issue rather than a cure.x