Scaly leg mites ( Knemidocoptes mutans ) are microscopic insects that live underneath the scales on a wimp ’ s lower legs and feet. They dig bantam tunnels underneath the bark, eat the weave and situate crud in their wake. The result is thickly, scabby, crusty-looking feet and legs. The longer the mites reside under the chicken ’ randomness leg scales, the more discomfort and wrong they inflict ; an unbridled infestation can result in pain, deformities, lameness and loss of toes .
Scaly peg mites spread from bird to bird in a flock, consequently when one dame is infected, all should be treated. As always when external parasites are found in a flock, the chicken coop should be thoroughly cleaned.
These are healthy scales on this Blue Ameraucana.
A severe case of scaly leg mites
TREATMENT OPTIONS
OPTION 1: Soak, Oil, Vaseline
1 ) soak the feet and legs in warm water
2 ) dry with a towel, gently exfoliating any abruptly, informal scales.
3 ) dip feet and legs in vegetable oil, ( linseed, mineral, olive, vegetable ) which suffocates the mites.
4 ) wipe off linseed oil and slather affected area with petroleum jelly .
The petroleum jelly should be re-applied respective times each workweek until the affected areas return to normal. It may take several months for mild to moderate cases to resolve .
OPTION 2: Sulfur & Vaseline
An alternate treatment option for scaly leg mites is to mix 2 tablespoons of sulphur powderize with ½ cup petroleum jelly- put on daily for a minimum of two weeks .
OPTION 3: Ivermectin
In severe cases of lepidote stage mite, oral or injectable forms of Ivermectin may be prescribed by a veterinarian. Per Dr. Julie Gauthier, DVM the dose is 0.2 mg/kg per bird, repeated in ten days. Gail Damerow indicates an oral dose of Ivermectin of 5-7 drops for bantam birds, 1/4 milliliter for larger birds in The Chicken Health Handbook. She besides states that “ since the withdrawal time is not known, Ivermectin should not be used on birds kept for kernel or eggs. ”
OPTION 4: Gasoline & A&D ointment
This method is recommended by Dr. Michael Darre, PhD, Poultry Extension Specialist for New England at the University of Connecticut. It is effective and works quickly. This is the method acting I would use on my chickens if necessary.
Day 1: DIP the affect stage in gasoline ( the cheap natural gas, no necessitate for hi-test ). Don ’ thymine rub on or brush on, DIP the leg in it. Hold the legs out and allow them to dry. Slather legs with A & D cream. The A & D softens the scales and promotes healing .
The natural gas gets up underneath the scales and kills the mites AND suffocates the nits. The nits are the biggest trouble when trying to treat lepidote leg mites with other treatment options. It can take weeks with other methods and often doesn ’ thymine kill all the nits, so the problem never goes away .
Day 2: Slather A & D ointment on the peg only- no gasoline on day 2 .
Day 3: Repeat the same treatment as Day 1. Gas drop. Dry. A & D. That completes the path of treatment .
Healthy leg scales
Healthy legs and toes on my Easter Egger, Ethel.
