Scaly Leg Mites & Feathered Feet

[casportpony]

Thanks! You mean diatomaceous earth dusting powder, is that correct? I have some food-grade DE that I could try.

No, DE won't work, you would want something with an insecticide. I think the product that folks in Canada use is this spray:
https://www.drugs.com/vet/doktor-doom-lice-killer-for-poultry-plus-commercial-can.html

Unfortunately, I don't think that insecticide powders are easy to find in Canada. But if you want to look, look for something with permethrin, pyrethrins, or maybe carbaryl, though I don't think carbaryl is as effective as permethrin.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks! I've asked my vet if she'll prescribe me the Ivermectin drops... we shall see! I don't think it's available over the counter here in Canada - at least not according to my local feed store... Maybe the online shipping route will work here too...

Can you get ivermectin horse de-wormer? If so, you can use that. Any type of ivermectin can be used to treat scaly leg mites.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Kris5902 can you help the OP find some products? I know you dealt with terrible SLM last year, so some tips would be great

 

[HuffleClaw]

No..Mite and lice dusting powder. 7 dust in the US I believe it's called? @HuffleClaw

Yes

 

[Pippys Place]

No, DE won't work, you would want something with an insecticide. I think the product that folks in Canada use is this spray:
https://www.drugs.com/vet/doktor-doom-lice-killer-for-poultry-plus-commercial-can.html

Unfortunately, I don't think that insecticide powders are easy to find in Canada. But if you want to look, look for something with permethrin, pyrethrins, or maybe carbaryl, though I don't think carbaryl is as effective as permethrin.

Doktor Doom located and in my hands! Looking forward to a weekend of treatments...

 

[casportpony]

Doktor Doom located and in my hands! Looking forward to a weekend of treatments...

Good luck!

 

[jools2014]

I have a chicken with scaly leg-I don't think it's that bad just a couple of scales raised on each leg. Thing is I was treating her for it a few months ago (I wasn't sure if she had it or not since she has such long feathers it was hard to tell but others in my flock had had it so I guessed she probably did) so now I'm wondering if she still has them now. I put vaseline on her feet but probably not as regularly as I should. This made her feet dirty so now I've washed them I noticed the couple of raised areas.

I read the scales stay raised until they moult or something? Does anyone know if this is true? I don't know if she still has the mites or if she's cured now and the scales just have to come off at some point? How can you tell if they are cured or not?

 

[MarcyG]

I have a chicken with scaly leg-I don't think it's that bad just a couple of scales raised on each leg. Thing is I was treating her for it a few months ago (I wasn't sure if she had it or not since she has such long feathers it was hard to tell but others in my flock had had it so I guessed she probably did) so now I'm wondering if she still has them now. I put vaseline on her feet but probably not as regularly as I should. This made her feet dirty so now I've washed them I noticed the couple of raised areas.

I read the scales stay raised until they moult or something? Does anyone know if this is true? I don't know if she still has the mites or if she's cured now and the scales just have to come off at some point? How can you tell if they are cured or not?

I also have that question ("How can you tell if they are cured or not?")
How do you know when the mites are gone, since they are too small to see. My hen has feathered feet, and protruding scales (see photo). I'm going to try soaking her feet in a warm epsom salt bath with Dawn detergent. Then after drying, apply the ivermectin or mineral oil. I've heard this needs to be done every 2 weeks for 2 months. Hopefully it works!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I also have that question ("How can you tell if they are cured or not?")
How do you know when the mites are gone, since they are too small to see. My hen has feathered feet, and protruding scales (see photo). I'm going to try soaking her feet in a warm epsom salt bath with Dawn detergent. Then after drying, apply the ivermectin or mineral oil. I've heard this needs to be done every 2 weeks for 2 months. Hopefully it works!

After cleaning the feet apply your oil - with feathered feet it may be better to use something thick like vaseline or even castor oil so you can work that under the scales. Oil is going to be messy, but necessary - getting it under the scales helps to smother the mites. Another option that some say works really well is Nu Stock Cream.

Ivermectin is effective in treating SLM but you would want to apply to the back of the neck along the spine, it needs to be in contact with the skin. Correct dosing is found here - you would repeat in 14 days.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mites-lice-now-hen-growling.1242981/post-19965544
I would apply oil at least once a week, this would be to help with healing and smothering mites as well.

It would also be a good idea to clean your coop and treat it with a Permethrin based poultry spray. Don't forget roosting bars and nesting boxes. While SLM are a lot of times found only on one bird, they can slowly migrate to other birds as well.

 

[MarcyG]

After cleaning the feet apply your oil - with feathered feet it may be better to use something thick like vaseline or even castor oil so you can work that under the scales. Oil is going to be messy, but necessary - getting it under the scales helps to smother the mites. Another option that some say works really well is Nu Stock Cream.

Ivermectin is effective in treating SLM but you would want to apply to the back of the neck along the spine, it needs to be in contact with the skin. Correct dosing is found here - you would repeat in 14 days.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mites-lice-now-hen-growling.1242981/post-19965544
I would apply oil at least once a week, this would be to help with healing and smothering mites as well.

It would also be a good idea to clean your coop and treat it with a Permethrin based poultry spray. Don't forget roosting bars and nesting boxes. While SLM are a lot of times found only on one bird, they can slowly migrate to other birds as well.

Thank you, Wyorp Rock - and all here on BYC! This is very helpful information. I’m going to get to work!