Leg scales are RISING?

[Kris5902]

I would suggest treating both legs and going above the affected scales with the oil as well. I’ve been treating all the birds in the affected coop on our farm, because the mites can spread from bird to bird. As I mentioned our birds were already heavily infested when I got to the farm, realized that wasn’t normal and began researching the problem

 

[Clubber1234]

I use diatomaceous earth it treats all kinds of things like that.
Heres the link:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/450G-TUB...=item3af3f8a0b0:g:vDYAAOSwTY9ZX6El:rk:13:pf:0
Just be careful with it and DON'T get it in your eyes or lungs.

 

[Kris5902]

I skipped the toothbrush and just washed the legs and feet by hand in warm soapy water... maybe get a super soft kids toothbrush if you’re going that route. I tell the girls they are getting a pedicure!

 

[Cragg Klefor]

DE is good for many mites and lice, but doesn’t work well on scaly leg mites because they burrow under the scales of the legs and feet feed. The mites excrement raises the scales on the legs. Gently rubbing oil into the legs and up under the scales kills the little buggers though. The scales don’t always return to normal, but the chickens are definitely happier once they’ve had a few treatments.

The chickens I’m treating have not been handled much, but they are becoming more accustomed to it, some even seem to like the treatments now. I’m using plain Vaseline mixed with mineral oil to help it flow under the scales, but so it’s more of a solid to apply at first. Seems to be working well. Coconut oil would be a good base as well if you want to avoid the petroleum products, but I used what I had on hand

 

[Kris5902]

As for what's up with the OP's chicken's leg? Could be the beginning of SLM, hard to tell, but there is nothing that says you can't apply oil/ointment/cream to a chicken's anytime you feel like it. It won't hurt her and it may be soothing especially during winter time.

Yep! Chicken pedicures are officially a thing around here now. I try to keep the oil off the bottoms of the feet and toes for traction reasons. Most of the old girls around here will now stand still on an old towel while I rub their legs and toes... but for the first two weeks I had to have a helper gently restrain them while I worked.

We can’t really eliminate the harborage in the coop-not my chickens, and not my coop. So I just keep treating the birds. Some of them were so bad when I started that they were actually losing scales in the bath water, which is why I skipped the brush idea.

Hardest part for me is bio-security... if I go anywhere near the old girls I won’t go near my chicks until I’ve showered and changed clothes. I don’t want my pretty little girls getting them too!

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Thanks I will be really gentle with her and the toothbrush.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

I think I actually recall she had this as a chick. So, it might be a leg deformity?

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Is there a treatment for that?

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Yes it is just her one leg. The other one seems fine. Thanks for asking!

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

I think I’ll try that for a a few days and see what happens!