Leg scales are RISING?

[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

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Any type of oil or thick-ish cream should effectively treat Scaly Leg Mites. What these do is smother the mites that live under the scales.

Coconut oil, castor oil, cooking oil, A+D ointment, Nu Stock Cream, Vaseline - any of these will do the job.

Washing the legs is just basically to clean them up, the brushing with a toothbrush it to help loosen debris from under the scales (what looks like dirt under the scales is actually mite poop) Then the application of oil/cream of choice. Re-apply at least once a week for a few weeks until the scales are healed.

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.

 

[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]

Thanks for the link! But fortunately, I think my local pet store sells this. So, I might get a bag from there. Thanks for helping!

 

[chickengr]

View attachment 1611188

I don't know what it is but I fix it with vaseline. I have 1 hen and 1 roo with the same problem (on 1 leg only). it does not look like scaly leg mites. I guess it might be some fungus. I have heard that sulfur in olive oil helps as well especially if it is a fungus.