Scaly Leg Mite + Feather Feet Questions (UPDATED WITH PHOTOS)

[thecatumbrella]

I have a flock of 14 week-old Cochin Bantams (aka Pekin Bantams) and their legs are extremely feathered. As in, I cannot properly monitor their legs for mites. It also doesn't help that they kick like they're riding in the Tour de France for every health check. I did notice some darker, raised scales on one of my birds (will post pics later and tag). So my questions...

1. Are feet sufficient to monitor for scaly leg mites? Like I said, it's very very hard to peak at the legs, even with two people. They're also full of quills for their last juvenile molt. I don't want to hurt them by digging around in such a tight area.
2. Is Elector PSP the way to go? I know lots of people do epsom soaks and oil, but that sounds like a greasy disaster for a breed with feather pants. And like I said, I don't have access to the scales on the legs for scrubbing or manual lubing.
3. What can I do to prevent scaly leg mites? I've done plenty of reading, and other than keeping my birds in the vacuum of space, it seems like it's almost inevitable. We do not free range. Their run has fresh mulch that I keep as dry as possible. No obvious rodent issues. Our biosecurity is so-so. We only wear our garden shoes in there (working on getting chicken-only shoes stored inside the run), but we live in the woods. There are birds and rodents everywhere. We even use a plastic coop (Omlet brand) that I clean top to bottom weekly.
4. Would switching from mulch to sand make a lick of difference?

I've attached a photo for anyone unfamiliar with this breed. Not exaggerating on the feathered legs. They're like Wookiees.

Thanks for your help.

UPDATE: Photos here.

 

[Shadrach]

I have a flock of 14 week-old Cochin Bantams (aka Pekin Bantams) and their legs are extremely feathered. As in, I cannot properly monitor their legs for mites. It also doesn't help that they kick like they're riding in the Tour de France for every health check. I did notice some darker, raised scales on one of my birds (will post pics later and tag). So my questions...

1. Are feet sufficient to monitor for scaly leg mites? Like I said, it's very very hard to peak at the legs, even with two people. They're also full of quills for their last juvenile molt. I don't want to hurt them by digging around in such a tight area.
2. Is Elector PSP the way to go? I know lots of people do epsom soaks and oil, but that sounds like a greasy disaster for a breed with feather pants. And like I said, I don't have access to the scales on the legs for scrubbing or manual lubing.
3. What can I do to prevent scaly leg mites? I've done plenty of reading, and other than keeping my birds in the vacuum of space, it seems like it's almost inevitable. We do not free range. Their run has fresh mulch that I keep as dry as possible. No obvious rodent issues. Our biosecurity is so-so. We only wear our garden shoes in there (working on getting chicken-only shoes stored inside the run), but we live in the woods. There are birds and rodents everywhere. We even use a plastic coop (Omlet brand) that I clean top to bottom weekly.
4. Would switching from mulch to sand make a lick of difference?

I've attached a photo for anyone unfamiliar with this breed. Not exaggerating on the feathered legs. They're like Wookiees.

Thanks for your help. Will update later with photos of the suspicious leg scales.

Feathered legs and feet make most of the usual recommendations impracticable.
You've certainly got your work cut out with your wookiees.
It would seem that susceptibility to scaly leg mite is a genetic problem rather than lack of care on the part of the keeper. I've had and have some birds that pick the mites up like magnets and others who just don't suffer from them all living together. The implication is that the normal recommendation to isolate the infected bird because the rest will catch t could be wrong.

I would try a surgical spirit (it may be called Rubbing Alcohol where you are) foot and leg bath. Fill a basin or similar with the alcohol and make the bird stand in it for a couple of minutes. It's a reasonably mess free option provided the basin doesn't get knocked over and it will kill the live mites. That unfortunately still leaves the mite eggs so this foot and leg bathing is likely to be an ongoing task.

You could consider trying this once you've dealt with the worst of the mites more as conditioning and prevention.

https://www.ballistol-shop.de/Animal-Care-Oil-Ballistol-Animal-mild-aminal-care-500-ml_B-S_340.html

I've had mixed results with it so far.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Feathered legs and feet make most of the usual recommendations impracticable.
You've certainly got your work cut out with your wookiees.
It would seem that susceptibility to scaly leg mite is a genetic problem rather than lack of care on the part of the keeper. I've had and have some birds that pick the mites up like magnets and others who just don't suffer from them all living together. The implication is that the normal recommendation to isolate the infected bird because the rest will catch t could be wrong.

I would try a surgical spirit (it may be called Rubbing Alcohol where you are) foot and leg bath. Fill a basin or similar with the alcohol and make the bird stand in it for a couple of minutes. It's a reasonably mess free option provided the basin doesn't get knocked over and it will kill the live mites. That unfortunately still leaves the mite eggs so this foot and leg bathing is likely to be an ongoing task.

You could consider trying this once you've dealt with the worst of the mites more as conditioning and prevention.

https://www.ballistol-shop.de/Animal-Care-Oil-Ballistol-Animal-mild-aminal-care-500-ml_B-S_340.html

I've had mixed results with it so far.

I don't know what I was thinking when I got these birds, but they are awfully cute and goofy.

One question about the surgical spirit: rubbing alcohol burns like the dickens on any compromised skin. Not sure if that applies to scaly leg mites, or if that's more of a crust. Do you dilute it at all?

The UK always gets the best chicken stuff, so I'll have to jump through some hoops to get the Ballistol!

 

[Shadrach]

I don't know what I was thinking when I got these birds, but they are awfully cute and goofy.

One question about the surgical spirit: rubbing alcohol burns like the dickens on any compromised skin. Not sure if that applies to scaly leg mites, or if that's more of a crust. Do you dilute it at all?

The UK always gets the best chicken stuff, so I'll have to jump through some hoops to get the Ballistol!

I don't dilute it. I've used it on my own wounds.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Photos attached. These are her toes. I can't tell if they're multi-colored because she's a mottled or what. Some of the scales look flaky. She also has feathers growing out of the cracks here and there.

Am I looking at scaly leg mites?
@Shadrach @Eggcessive @LaFleche @Wyorp Rock

Sorry for tagging everyone, but I want to get this treated ASAP if that’s what I’m dealing with.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Any scaly leg mite experts online?

 

[Eggcessive]

I’m not an expert, but have dealt with the leg mites on a few chickens. Usually, it is the ones who I never see dust bathing who have them. They may also have long toenails, and don’t wear them down. I have a soft spot for the feather legged mille fleurs and many other breeds. But I don’t think I will get any more of them in the future since it is so hard to check legs and toes. Sulfur powder works against leg mites. Nustock horse cream contains it and works well, but you can buy the sulfur powder online and mix it with oil or vaseline. You can buy 4-5 pound bags of sulfur at farm stores, on Amazon, and in garden centers. The American Poultry Association has recommended Vicks for leg mites. The menthol and camphor may repel insects, soothe itching, and the oil may smother mites.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I’m not an expert, but have dealt with the leg mites on a few chickens. Usually, it is the ones who I never see dust bathing who have them. They may also have long toenails, and don’t wear them down. I have a soft spot for the feather legged mille fleurs and many other breeds. But I don’t think I will get any more of them in the future since it is so hard to check legs and toes. Sulfur powder works against leg mites. Nustock horse cream contains it and works well, but you can buy the sulfur powder online and mix it with oil or vaseline. You can buy 4-5 pound bags of sulfur at farm stores, on Amazon, and in garden centers. The American Poultry Association has recommended Vicks for leg mites. The menthol and camphor may repel insects, soothe itching, and the oil may smother mites.

Seems like I have plenty of options for treatment. Really bummed out that I'm dealing with this already at 14 weeks, but I guess that's the risk with these types of birds.

Thank you for your help!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I don't dilute it. I've used it on my own wounds.

I do too, but I tear up like a baby!