Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens

Scaly leg mites are a challenging condition to manage in chickens. They are caused by the scaly leg mite, a parasite that is extremely small and nearly invisible. Scaly leg mites reside between the scales on the legs and burrow in there. They spread through the perch and/or the bedding in the coop to other chickens and birds.

Symptoms of Scaly Leg Mites

Chickens affected by scaly leg mites exhibit the following:

The chickens are itchy The legs swell and become thick The scales on the legs start to separate A grayish substance appears between the scales Blood on the legs

Scaly Legs Difficult to Prevent

Since the mites are almost invisible to the naked eye, it is challenging to prevent scaly legs. Once the legs start to swell and you can see scaly legs, it is actually already too late to treat effectively. Scaly leg mites thrive in a moist environment, so it is important to keep the coop dry. As soon as the legs begin to swell and the scales start to separate, it is advisable to start treatment immediately.

Treatment for Scaly Leg Mites

Scaly leg mites do not establish themselves in the environment and the coop of chickens, but only in the scales of their legs. Therefore, it is important to treat the chicken itself properly. However, the environment should be kept clean and dry.

Administer an internal supplement so that the mites can no longer feed on the skin and blood of the chickens. This supplement should be based on echinacea, astragalus, uncaria, gentian, thyme, citronellol, and citronellal. This combination ensures that the blood and skin scales become indigestible for mites. Spray the legs with a product based on neem oil and other herbs. This acts as a repellent and loosens the scales.

Be aware that the scale buildup on the legs may not completely disappear, so it is important to continue regular care of the legs. The internal supplement is also important and should be administered regularly as a course.

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Questions? Ask Finecto!

Does your chicken, horse, or dog have an annoying ailment, or are you unsure which supplement to choose for their issue? You can come to us for personalized advice for your animal. Together with you, we will discuss the problem and try to unravel it. We not only look at deficiencies in vitamins and minerals but also consider other factors that may play a role.