Photos... Worst ever scaly leg mites? Or something else?

[rosie284]

Hi everyone I'm new to byc, I have had chooks since I was little so know a bit about them, but not an expert!
Any how, I recently acquired a rooster, the last owner knew nothing about chooks and was too terrified of the darling boy to go within 5 feet of him. When I got him home I noticed his severely deformed legs and google led me here to some "scaly leg mite" threads. I have had three days of dipping his legs in oil and it seems to be loosening the scabby stuff already. Can someone just help me figure out if I am in fact dealing with scaly leg mites or something different entirely. Thanks in advance, I hope to get him better he has a fab personality

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P.s if anyone can give me an idea as to what breed he is I would be stoked, thanks!

 

[rosie284]

Sorry here is the better photo

 

[dawg53]

He looks like a Salmon Faverolle rooster. He has a bad case of scaly leg mites. Soak his feet in warm epsom salts water to soften scales and loosen dirt and mite debris between the scales. Then use a toothbrush to gently scrub his legs between the loose scales as best as you can. Dry his legs well, then apply Nu-Stock liberally to both legs.

 

[rosie284]

Thanks for your reply, ill give that a go tonight

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Yes, it is scaly leg mites and you are doing him a great service by getting rid of those bugs. They can cause amputation of toes etc. if not treated. Just make sure that you treat for 2 weeks if you keep using oil (or that your NuStock works for the whole 2 weeks- I have read great things about it - that it works for a long time, but have not used it) due to the life cycle of the mites.

Just so you know, I have treated it three times on three different birds, and on one of them using oil for 2 weeks had greatly improved her legs but the scales weren't back to normal. So I kept on treating and the oil I believe helped, as I had waited for a few days and it wasn't improving anymore, then started back with the oil and it helped again.

I also tried bag balm and it didn't seem to do as well as the oil.

 

[rosie284]

I couldn't find anyone selling nu stock so am just keeping on with the oil for now, it's been nearly a week and the hard bits are falling off to reveal pink legs. He is so funny when I put him down after dipping his legs, bends right over and has a good look at my handy work!

 

[Suzie]

Vaseline works just as well... it is messy to apply but very effective!

It takes some time to work but it does rid the chickens of the problem.

Suzie

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I couldn't find anyone selling nu stock so am just keeping on with the oil for now, it's been nearly a week and the hard bits are falling off to reveal pink legs. He is so funny when I put him down after dipping his legs, bends right over and has a good look at my handy work!

Awww! I am sure he is grateful to be his old self again under all that!