scaly leg mites?

[missmimz]

Does this look like scaly leg mites? This hen is sitting a lot and fairly lethargic. I checked her over for just about everything else and I can't find anything else that looks wrong.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes that looks like leg mites. I have found that many people treat leg mites in different ways. Some do a once a week leg soak in warm soapy water, using an old toothbrush to gently loosen the scales. Then dry the legs, and rub an oil into the scales. Castor oil works well, and some use vegetable oil or vaseline. Within a few weeks of treatment, there should be improvement. She could have something else going on as well that is making her lethargic and wanting to sit around, especially if she is the only one to have leg mites. I would treat her mites, and then look for other symptoms, such as weight loss through her chest when you pick her up, checking her crop for emptying overnight, making sure that she eats and drinks, and looking for runny droppings. Here is a good link with other methods of treatment: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/scaly-leg-mites-in-chickens.html

 

[Linda V]

I've got two hens with scaly leg mites and am considering this for a treatment since it's been tried and proven by experts! Only one problem, they didn't mention HOW OFTEN we do this to our birds....sorry.

I also don't like how he applies it. I am using a small, open cup and a new, unused, small, soft paint brush to slather it on their legs while JR holds them waist-high so I don't miss any areas. I'm hoping to find out if this is a daily or weekly treatment. Hope this helps!

• Apply Campho-Phenique medicine ($5 at general stores, $7 at groceries. Will treat 4-6 chickens.). Hold the chicken on your lap tilted slightly upside down and gently gripped by your legs. Dribble medicine on all scaly areas of feet and legs, especially any areas that are raw. Buy an eyedropper for this (Many cheap over-the-counter medicines include one, or you can buy separately for under $1.) so you don't waste medicine, and so you can most easily apply. Put the medicine bottle in a small glass or a small yogurt container to prevent tipping.
  • This drowns & kills mites, helps prevent and cure infection, and applies safe painkiller. Editor's note: This product works great!

 

[MillersFarm]

All of this info is great for scaly leg mites and work amazingly! Though i;ve found smothering medicated Vaseline on the chicken's legs/feet Works amazingly too. I traded a roo for a roo and found out he had scaly mite legs.. Tried putting the Vaseline on his legs/feet Every other day for about three weeks now and has worked tremendously.

 

[Linda V]

Yes...you are 100% right on that but I was wondering if anyone knows if I can SPRAY the properly diluted Permethrin liquid onto their legs directly? I'm not going to do their entire bodies, just their legs & feet!

 

[Linda V]

All of this info is great for scaly leg mites and work amazingly! Though i;ve found smothering medicated Vaseline on the chicken's legs/feet Works amazingly too. I traded a roo for a roo and found out he had scaly mite legs.. Tried putting the Vaseline on his legs/feet Every other day for about three weeks now and has worked tremendously.

Oh...by the way...what is medicated Vaseline? Never heard of it!

 

[Linda V]

Does this look like scaly leg mites? This hen is sitting a lot and fairly lethargic. I checked her over for just about everything else and I can't find anything else that looks wrong.

You sure took good photos of those legs! This also helped me to ID that mine do, in fact, have the scaly legs....good job!

 

[MillersFarm]

I dont know of any sprays you can use but the medicated Vaseline is called Vaporizing Rub

 

[meowtakkun]

Do you have a dust bath that they use? I know you can mix wood ash and/or DE in with it. That might just be preventative, I'm not sure. But I deff recommend it as well as a treatment.

 

[OwO]

That honestly just looks like a regular chicken foot to me, maybe there's something people are seeing that I'm not? Usually with scaly leg mites the scales will be jutting out at 45° angles to the skin