How to control scaly leg mite in coop

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cmlew99

cmlew99

Chirping
5 Years
Apr 5, 2014
329
15
98
Massachusetts
So a few very helpful people on here let me know that I have a scaly leg mite infestation in my Buff Brahma hen

Here is the foot of one of her flock mates- I can't tell if its normal and healthy, or another infestation (Does anyone know if I have to treat the whole flock with the oil soak and vaseline?)


Anyways, I read that you have to clean the coop thoroughly. How should I do this? I am really reluctant to use harmful chemicals, but will if I absolutely have to. Can I just get rid of the pine shavings, and scrub with white vinegar? Or do I even have to clean at all?

Thanks everybody!
 
We had a pretty bad infestation in our two coops. We used the seven dust and just cleaned the coop like you said. Throw out shavings and wipe down with vinegar. We did this once then 10 days later again, and once more 10 days after that. We haven't had an issue since.
 
For scaly leg mites...you should as a first measure soak the legs in a betadine or epsom salt solution for 15 minutes...if the leg mites have raised the foot scales you can then use a soft toothbrush to remove any loose crud...dry the legs as much as you are able and then apply a liberal amount of vaseline to the legs...apply in an upwards direction ...up to where the feathers start on their legs...re-apply after a few days and keep re-applying for up to 8 weeks...once a week after the second application is sufficient...new leg scales will appear if they do shed scales..NEVER pick off any loose scales...nature will take care of that...

Be aware also that scaly leg mites can affect the head area of chickens...you can apply vaseline to combs if you suspect the mites have affected the head area too. Wear OLD clothing when applying vaseline...it gets everywhere!

Good luck!
 
Thank you very much! Should I do this to each and every chicken? Or just Mary (the buff brahma). In your opinion does the second pic look like scaly mites?
 
It is difficult to see in the second picture...I did enlarge the image you posted...I would treat all of your chickens as it will affect all of them to one degree or another...

Good luck!
 

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