Chipped scales on my hens' legs

[birdwrangler057]

Hello all,
My hens' scales have been very dry, and flaking off lately and I'm not sure if it is normal. Could someone give me some pointers on this?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Have you checked for scaley leg mites?

 

[birdwrangler057]

No, how do you check for them? I do put DE on them and in their nests though

 

[birdwrangler057]

However, it's just the shell coming off, not the whole thing

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Here is some links that show it. Yours may not be that bad yet. I like both these sites, but they seem to disagree with each other a little on this subject. I always do research and go with what seems the most appropriate FOR ME.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/scaly-leg-mites-in-chickens.html
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/04/natural-treatment-for-scaly-leg-mites.html

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I actually don't use DE. My flock just dirt bathes. We haven't had issues yet, but I know it is possible.

 

[birdwrangler057]

Okay, thank you

 

[birdwrangler057]

My hens dirt bathe as well because they are free range, but I still sprinkle DE in their frequent bathing spots so they get it under their feathers

 

[birdwrangler057]

I only use it for extra protection any ways

 

[birdwrangler057]

Thank you for the links, I think I will go with the second link though because I have used natural oils on my hens and they have worked great.