white crusty feet

[amysuenix]

I have a hen who has white crusty feet. I was told it was from mites. I understand I have to clean my coop, but how do I treat my hen. So far she is the only one with it. And can I use sevendust in the coop to prevent any more mites???

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Do you have a photo of the feet? This will help with a good diagnosis and the severity of it.

Ivermectin pour on can treat these mites. (Several drops applied directly to the skin on the back of the neck, every other week for a month). Also applying Vaseline or Vicks Vapo Rub, either applied every other day for a month or two depending on the severity.

Sevin dust is quite toxic and can cause cancer. You can use a Permethrin spray in the coop after removing all bedding. Repeat once a week for 4 weeks. Make sure to spray down the roost bar and underneath the back side of the bar as bugs like to hide in cracks. Do the nest boxes as well.

 

[amysuenix]

I just got a picture I have to figure out how to upload it

 

[amysuenix]

I got it figured out good. Here it is.

 

[TwoCrows]

I just got a picture I have to figure out how to upload it

Click the circled icon to access your files.

 

[FowlProtector]

It sounds like your hen might have scaly leg mites, which is a common problem that causes crusty, flaky skin on their legs and feet. Here’s how you can treat her and help prevent it from happening again:

Treating Your Hen:

• Clean Her Legs: Soak her legs in warm, soapy water (use a mild soap, like dish soap) for 10-15 minutes to soften the crust. This will make it easier to remove. You can gently scrub the scales with a soft toothbrush or washcloth.
• Apply an Ointment: After cleaning, put a thick layer of vaseline (petroleum jelly) or mineral oil on her legs, especially on the affected areas. This will smother the mites. You can also use a mite treatment like Poultry Protector or Ivermectin if you prefer a commercial option.
• Repeat Treatment: Keep applying the vaseline or oil for a few days. You may need to repeat this weekly until it gets better.
• Monitor the Flock: Even if only one hen shows signs, it’s good to check the others for early signs like scaling, redness, or crustiness.

Preventing Future Mites:

• Clean the Coop Well: Scrub all surfaces and bedding. Remove the old bedding and replace it with fresh bedding.
• Use Sevin Dust (Carbaryl): You can use SevinDust in the coop to prevent more mites. Dust cracks, crevices, and bedding. Be sure to remove the chickens before applying it and wait for the dust to settle before they come back. You can also lightly dust your birds with Sevin, but don’t overdo it—use just a little.
• Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade): Some people use food-grade diatomaceous earth instead of Sevindust . It’s safe for chickens and can be spread in the bedding and on the coop floor to help keep mites away.

If you still see signs of mites after a few weeks of treatment, you may need to clean and treat again. If things don’t improve, a stronger treatment with Ivermectin (or a similar medication) might be needed.

 

[TwoCrows]

I got it figured out good. Here it is.

Yes that is leg scale mites and it's getting severe. These mites can burrow into the bone so I would get started on this.

I would soak her feet in lightly soapy warm water and with a soft toothbrush Id lightly scrub the scale crud off, for a few minutes. Rinse the soap off, dry the feet and if you have any Vaseline or Vicks, slather it all in rubbing it up under the scales and all around the scales, toes and legs. Be gentle so you don't rip the scales. You can wipe off the excess grease. I'd do this daily for a while until you get these bugs under control.

 

[amysuenix]

thank you so much. I will do just that.

 

[amysuenix]

can anyone tell me what causes this??

 

[TwoCrows]

can anyone tell me what causes this??

It's Leg Scale Mites, invisible little nasty bugs. Wild birds are often the source of these tiny livestock. My yard is loaded with these awful things.