How to Treat Scaly Leg Mites

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I have a rescue Old English Game Bantam x Sebright hen who has a bad case of scaly leg mites. She doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable or in pain but they haven’t cleared up for some time now so I’m going to treat it. My other birds don’t have raised leg scales.
The reason I didn’t treat her initially is because no one is lathering feral or exclusively free range chickens’ legs with Vaseline if they have scaly leg mites.
So what can be done for my chicken?

 

[casportpony]

@Brahma Chicken5000, most vets would recommend treating with ivermectin or moxidectin.
http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/knemidocoptiasis-birds?id=&sk=&date=&pageID=6

I've had a few here with them, and ivermectin is what I use, so that is what I would recommend.

I noticed that at least one of her claws is long, so you might want to trim that too. Looks like maybe a joint on that toe is swollen, so that's probably why that claw grows long.

 

[roosterhavoc]

i have a rescue Old English Game Bantam x Sebright hen who has a bad case of scaly leg mites. She doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable or in pain but they haven’t cleared up for some time now so I’m going to treat it. My other birds don’t have raised leg scales.
The reason I didn’t treat her initially is because no one is lathering feral or exclusively free range chickens’ legs with Vaseline if they have scaly leg mites.
So what can be done for my chicken?
View attachment 1614927

Kerosene and linseed oil. Or if you keep their legs wiped down with Vaseline or baby oil they won’t get them in the first place. Even if she’s free range which she’s not totally because she’s in a pen in the pic you can still catch them at night and wipe their legs down. A little bit of extra work goes a long way to preventing problems.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I’ll even try this for my rooster

But why would one treat it if it isn’t there?

Oh and Aryeh, I failed to mention... you might want to treat everyone else in the coop, just in case

Prevention. If you keep their leg scales soft and healthy with a light coating of oil that will prevent mites from getting under lifted scales. Same reason you might put lotion or chapstick on before your skin is cracked and bleeding.

 

[JedJackson]

I have a rescue Old English Game Bantam x Sebright hen who has a bad case of scaly leg mites. She doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable or in pain but they haven’t cleared up for some time now so I’m going to treat it. My other birds don’t have raised leg scales.
The reason I didn’t treat her initially is because no one is lathering feral or exclusively free range chickens’ legs with Vaseline if they have scaly leg mites.
So what can be done for my chicken?
View attachment 1614927

When I was in 4H many, many moons ago, the main poultry lady there recommended medicated vaseline. RoosterHavoc's method is right on-- you really have to pack that stuff into the scales. The idea, mainly, is to suffocate the little buggers. I would add that it is best to put the chicken in a rabbit hutch or some other raised cage for over night, so the legs won't turn into leg-shaped dirt clods. You need to keep them clean, and to prevent the vaseline from coming off for as long as possible. Repeat applications are a good idea as well.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I’ll do the Vaseline on the legs bit.
Do you do this for all your birds?

Yes. I do it every single time I have a bird in my hands unless I’ve just done it within a few days. It only takes two seconds.
You need to completely cover her legs with Vaseline. Rub your hand upwards and make sure the lifted scales are totally packed full. She should look ridiculous with so much Vaseline on her legs or it isn’t going to work. You’ll also need to do it often.
OR you could dip her legs in kerosene then pack them with Vaseline if you really want the mites gone.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Thank you for the advice havoc I’ll do it as soon as I get home.
Should I wait a few days and then put Vaseline on her legs again until the scales lie flat?

No you can apply the Vaseline a little while later once mostly dry. You need to really lather it on. Might have to get more Vaseline at the store. A couple containers. Don’t blame me if you get funny looks!

 

[roosterhavoc]

@Brahma Chicken5000
Imo chickens should already be on some sort of lice/mite preventative.
Ivermectin is overused and is losing it’s effectiveness not just for worms but everything.
I’ve seen others birds with scaly leg mites which had already been given ivermectin.
Do you know if that bird was incubator hatched? A lot of crooked toes come from incubators.

 

[casportpony]

@roosterhavoc , note I'm not saying your method won't work, I just prefer treating with ivermectin.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

Meanwhile back at the ranch.