Scaly Leg Mites

[ChickenDude90]

Is this Scaly Leg Mites? These legs are from my White Andalusian Hen. She roughly about 13 months old. I heard you could use Bag Balm as a natural remedy.

 

[LaFleche]

Did you raise this bird from chick or did you just buy it?

By the looks of the legs I would assume it much older than just 13 month old as the build up of scaly leg mites is quite extensive.

I have no experience with bag balm as I use very sucessfully Ballistol animal spray to treat and prevent scaly leg mites.

 

[coach723]

I've not used bag balm, so can't speak to it. Something very oily, that will coat everything thickly, will smother the mites. Any vegetable oil will work, use a soft toothbrush to gently work it under any raised scales, and then coat with vaseline. Be gentle on areas that are missing scales, that tissue will be tender. I like castor oil personally, as it's very thick. You will need to do that several times a week, and it may take a long time for the legs to start looking normal since this looks like it's been going on a while.

 

[ChickenDude90]

Did you raise this bird from chick or did you just buy it?

By the looks of the legs I would assume it much older than just 13 month old as the build up of scaly leg mites is quite extensive.

I have no experience with bag balm as I use very sucessfully Ballistol animal spray to treat and prevent scaly leg mites.

I bought her and her sister from a local farmer. Her sister has no signs of it. And she has no deformity on her legs. She runs fine, she jumps fine. And she's not even scratching at her legs, or pecking. I just want to get rid of the mites. I understand that it's going to take quite a while.But I want her to be a hundred percent healthy.

 

[LaFleche]

Her sister has no signs of it.

So her "sister" might actually rather be her granddaughter.
You can spray the legs high up to where the feathers start.
Do it at night when they are roosting. Gently touch the breast and they will stand up so you can spray from toe to hocks. Talk in a gentle soothing tone so they will know it is you and not a predator approaching. Use a head lamp to have both hands free.

As Ballistol is a penetrating oil it will creep deep under the scales on its own to suffocate the mites. Repeat after a week and then again after 10 days.

 

[FEATHERFIELD]

I have a ten year old hen and her legs are similar, but I just put it down to her age. I have only had her for a year (none of my other hens have it) and in that time, her legs almost seem to have improved, so now I wonder if she did have scaly leg mites?

With that said, their dust baths have DE in them, as do their nest boxes and coop shavings, and I have never had a mite problem.
She also seems to have no trouble with mobility, she runs like the wind lol!

I have never tried a Ballistol oil but now I wonder, should I?

Thank you in advance!

Mari from Featherfield
(formerly Epping Meadows)

 

[LaFleche]

I have a ten year old hen and her legs are similar, but I just put it down to her age. I have only had her for a year

none of my other hens have it)

Not yet visible, but the 10 yo hen would surely have spread the mites by now and it will be only a matter of time until you see the chalky stuff ( mite poop) lifting the scales on your chickens' feet.

I have never tried a Ballistol oil but now I wonder, should I?

I for sure would before it spreads even more.

 

[sourland]

Bag balm may work. Bag Balm mixed with Ivermectin will work.

 

[Eggcessive]

The American Poultry Association recommends Vicks salve with has camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus in a petrolatum base which they say kills leg mites. The other ingredients will soothe the itch and pain. Most any vaseline or petrolatum base will smoother the mites. Castor oil is said to be less messy. Many use Nustock horse cream which has sulfur in a pine oil base, and the sulfur is an insecticide. You can make your own with sulfur powder from garden stores. I would treat several days a week for a few weeks until you see new healthy scales come in. This hen may not dust bathe, so make that one is available.

 

[FEATHERFIELD]

Not yet visible, but the 10 yo hen would surely have spread the mites by now and it will be only a matter of time until you see the chalky stuff ( mite poop) lifting the scales on your chickens' feet.

I for sure would before it spreads even more.

Thank you so much. I think I will head to the feed store and pick some up this morning