Barred Rock has black scales on from of legs. Is this a case of Scaly leg mites?

[BP in GA]

My Barred Rock has black scales on the front of her legs. I started treatment for mites but maybe she does not have them? Does anyone else have Barred Rocks with black scales on their legs? The scales do not appear to be raised very much. You can see her legs in this photo.












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[BP in GA]

Anybody seen this before?

Thanks

 

[Wynette]

They're supposed to have these - it's part of the skin pigment on the legs.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, dear, that's not leg mites. That is normal leg coloring for a Barred Rock pullet. It's one way to tell a BR pullet from a BR cockerel. BR pullets often have a dark wash down the leg fronts. BR cockerels have clean yellow legs 99% of the time.

 

[BP in GA]

Thank you so much for the replies! I am new to backyard poultry if you could not tell. I have a Barred Rock and an Easter Eager and both are 26-27 weeks old and I have not seen the first egg yet. I guess my mind started to think something was wrong like the leg mites. I also live in the N. GA region near Jasper, GA. I am looking to expand my flock by one if you have any egg laying pullets for sale. I thought a hen already laying may spur on the other two to start laying.

Thanks in advance,

 

[speckledhen]

I live about an hour north of you in Mineral Bluff. No laying hens for sale other than what you see in my signature line links. Welcome to BYC! Barred Rocks are my favorite all-round breed/variety. I also have blue, black and splash Rocks.

 

[Wynette]

BP, that pullet (BR) in the other picture looks VERY ready to begin laying, or she could already be laying - do you ever let them free range? If so, look around your yard or wherever they wander....she may be laying elsewhere.