How to Treat Scaly Leg Mites

[Shadrach]

Not sure that's true.

I tell you what, cover your nostrils with a big dollop of Vaseline now and don't open your mouth or wipe it away and I'll see if you post in the morning.

 

[casportpony]

I tell you what, cover your nostrils with a big dollop of Vaseline now and don't open your mouth or wipe it away and I'll see if you post in the morning.

All joking aside, are there and studies that say how long it takes to suffocate mites with Vaseline?

 

[HuffleClaw]

It can get very muddy in Alabama I think.

Yes, VERY

 

[Shadrach]

All joking aside, are there and studies that say how long it takes to suffocate mites with Vaseline?

Not that I've read. That's why I do it over three nights. Sometimes you don't get full coverage, particularly between the toes; well I don't anyway. I suppose it may be possible to seal enough air below the Vaseline to keep a mite alive......

 

[roosterhavoc]

Not that I've read. That's why I do it over three nights. Sometimes you don't get full coverage, particularly between the toes; well I don't anyway. I suppose it may be possible to seal enough air below the Vaseline to keep a mite alive......

This is where the carcinogenic used motor oil and kerosene shine! Something to keep in mind. Lol

 

[Shadrach]

This is where the carcinogenic used motor oil and kerosene shine! Something to keep in mind. Lol

True that...

 

[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.

 

[casportpony]

This is why I like ivermectin, no fuss, no muss, just treat and street so to speak.

 

[MarcyG]

Thank you for this post! Hmmm, Oh dear! I think that is what is going on with one of my hens ("Big-Bev"). I always thought it was just her, as she's the eldest of my hens. Sorry for this not super-clear photo; you'll see she has foot-feathers also, which get in the way of a clear image.
Would the best thing to do is for me to slather the Vaseline into all the dried-up scaly nooks and crannies as suggested? I'm curious, are scaly leg mites *visible* to the naked eye? When checking, I have never seen anything crawling around on her legs (or in the scaly 'cracks')...nor have I seen anything on my other hen's feet/claws.
Thank you, for any advice, suggestions.

 

[JedJackson]

This is why I like ivermectin, no fuss, no muss, just treat and street so to speak.

True. But I sell organic eggs, so can't use it. I really prefer to use the most chemically inert methods possible to treat problems. So it just really depends on the person/situation. I don't think there is one right answer.