Got some new chickens and they seem to have something on their feet? From reading around, seems like its leg mites? What to do?

[WhattheCluck45]

Hey everyone, I just got some new chickens today and they seem to have leg mites. I've (thankfully) haven't really had to deal with diseases in my flock which means that I don't really know how to heal the chickens. I'm not even sure it's leg mites but it seems like it is judging from the photos I've seen online. Alot of the chickens have some silverish buildup on their legs but some have more than others. I went to Tractor Supply to look for something called Elector PSP but couldn't find it nor any medicine for leg mites. I read that putting vasaline would be slow but effective at killing the mites so that's what I did today, put vasaline on their legs. Also, don't worry, I've separated them from the rest of my flock since I read that mites spread easily. Is there anything else I can do, and how long will it take for the leg mites to die? Thanks!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Grease them up good at night when they're on the roost. Are these your only chickens? If you have others and these have been introduced to your existing flock, you need to treat them all. Treat them every night for five to seven days. That should kill the new mites that hatch after five days or so. But the lifted scales won't look better until they shed and new ones grow.

 

[WhattheCluck45]

Grease them up good at night when they're on the roost. Are these your only chickens? If you have others and these have been introduced to your existing flock, you need to treat them all. Treat them every night for five to seven days. That should kill the new mites that hatch after five days or so. But the lifted scales won't look better until they shed and new ones grow.

I just got the ones in the photos today and I didn't introduce them to my existing flock since I didn't all my chickens to get infected.

 

[WhattheCluck45]

I just got the ones in the photos today and I didn't introduce them to my existing flock since I didn't want them to also get infected.

 

[Eggcessive]

The APA recommends Vicks salve or the generic because the menthol repels and the vaseline smothers the mites. Some also like Nustock cream, a sulfur and pine oil based cream that also kills the mites. Soaking the legs in warm soapy water initially and using a soft toothbrush on the scales first can be good, if you bring them in where it is warm for a bit. Be sure to check their bodies for lice or mites.