Can chickens get dry Feet/legs?

[Chelseyb123]

Since winter started her in maine ive notice some of my chicken have dry flakey looking scales on feet an legs. But you have to actually pick at it for it to come off. An ive put coconut oil on theyre legs before an nothing seems to look any different. I know about leg mites an what not but is it possible they get like this due to weather? Some of my chickens have it some don't. There is no sign of irritation redness, no pecking on the feet an legs ect. Just no signs of a parasite jusy dry looking legs an feet. I saw am old thread that talked about dry feet an combs an it had something to do feed? I feed them blue seal home fresh layer veggies oats fruit ect.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, dry cold weather will do that. Do a thread search for scaly leg mite. that will help you to differentiate. Try putting some castor oil on them.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Okay thank you

 

[aart]

Post clear closeup pics of legs and ages of birds.

 

[Chelseyb123]

I can tomorrow but they range from 1-3yrs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Good, glad you posted. I took a good look at one of my hens, with the same thing, but not mites, I am almost sure... very cold here last week.

Mrs K

 

[Chelseyb123]

Yeah. Its very odd i think. I mean they have scaly skin on their legs an feet an with cold weather i would assume they would be able to get dry scales as we do dry skin from cold weather. Since i dont see any infestation. Ill take some pictures tomorrow but like i said no irritation or pecking and roosts look good an the coopnis dry no smells or anything. My rooster does have redish legs an feet but isnt that from testosterone or whatever?

 

[chickens really]

All animals shed skin. Possibly its just the weather.
My Ducks have dry feet too. Also two of my Chickens. I'm not concerned at all.

 

[theoldchick]

Here is a photo of scaly leg mites in chickens:

You can apply Vaseline several times to suffocate them but you must also treat the area the chickens roost. However, in my experience, I've had better response by treating the entire chicken. I wash in a cat flea shampoo, (only if weather permits) then apply Vick's vapor rub to the legs while the chicken is still warm from the bath. You can use any type of permerthrin solution to dip the legs in. No matter what you use, be sure to retreat several times. Dedicate a routine to remove feces from the coop, clean your roosts weekly, or remove them and get new ones.

I have 6 year old hens with normal looking skin:

 

[Chelseyb123]

I fairly certain its just dryness from the weather. Thank you everyone for your input and advice on how to trwat leg mites.