If your chickens have ever had scaly leg mite, you already know how horrid it can be. The microscopic mites burrow beneath the scales of your chickens’ legs, producing a crust like appearance. This ‘crust’ is a combination of mites excreta and skin flakes (YUK!), which is incredibly itchy and uncomfortable for your chickens.
SYMPTOMS are varied but are generally along the lines of :-
- Raised Leg Scales
- Salty Crusts around the feet and legs
- Having trouble walking
- Sores and bleeding on the legs
- Legs can also appear somewhat swollen
- Toes can be curled under, deformed or lost altogether
TREATMENT :-
- Soften the crusts for a good week or so, using oil (coconut oil, baby oil, olive oil etc)
- Brushing on apple cider vinegar helps with the healing and the removal of the soften crusts
- Even something like dog shampoo will work wonders too.
PREVENTION :-
- Oil the perches with olive oil or coconut oil to prevent the mites from traveling across the chickens night time perching grounds
- Ensure the coop is well ventilated and dry (mites thrive in damp conditions)
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY CHEMICALS OR DIESEL TO BIRDS. THESE OLD FASHIONED METHODS ARE BOTH DANGEROUS TO CHICKENS AND THEIR HANDLERS.
