Many years ago when I was a complete novice a fellow allotmenter told me to dip their legs in creosote! We did, not knowing any better and internet not then the first place you turned too, it did work but i would not recomend it! Surgical spirit is supposed to do the job as is vaseline, i imagine the sudocream would do the same so it depends what you have to hand, dont forget to give the hen house a clean so they dont reinfest.