[Pretty Chick]

A couple of our hens have scaly leg mite.

How do you suggest we get rid of it? Or which treatment would you recommend?

I've scrubbed one of the hen's legs in warm water to remove some of the scales and then put zinc and caster oil on them because there were patches on her legs which looked a bit raw. We used zinc and caster oil because we didn't have any vaseline.

Would vaseline do the trick?

Any suggestions will be appreciated  

[carolbriar]

You musn't try and remove the scales.  They will automatically be changed when the hens moult.  There are various treatments you can buy and also I've heard vaseline smothered on the legs can help get rid of scaley mites.  I'm sure someone with more experience will come along but in the meantime don't try and remove the scales.

[Pretty Chick]

You musn't try and remove the scales.

Oh, okay  . Quite a few people had advised me to scrub at their legs, but it did look a bit harsh.

I guess it would be better if I buy a product to get rid of them

[Wild Pony]

I have heard some show people use a cattle pour on preparation called Eprinex, used at 0.1ml per bird once a month. It's not licenced for birds so ...............

[SUTTY1]

Have seen this done a few times. gently wash the legs and feet, dab with surgical spirit and smother in vaseline, major improvement in days and cured quickly. I've never seen any reaction by the chickens to this.
I have been reprimanded on here for suggesting this though.
At the end of the day is it any worse than us putting TCP on a cut.
If the chickens cured and happy with treatment i dont see a problem.

[chelsap]

According to my go to book on everything chickens..."Storey's Guide To Raising Poultry"  by Leonard S. Mercia. 
   Dip legs into a mixture 1 part kerosene and 2 parts raw linseed oil/mineral oil/or warmed petroleum jelly.  Repeat the procedure once or twice weekly at intervals until the mites are gone.
    Kerosene part is a little alarming but it takes something stout to kill off most parasites.  I would say if you dont have another option it wouldn't hurt to try it.  Everything that I have tried out of this book has worked wonderfully!

[joyfull]

please also remember that after treating the scales will still look raised and will do until the bird moults when they will get replaced with new scales.

[Pretty Chick]

Great, thanks everyone for your suggestions   :happy:.

I think I'll have a go at SUTTY1's suggestion first and them take it from there  

[lisacj]

I had a major problem with this with my girls, spent a fortune at the vets and then a really experienced chicken farmer told me a local trick. Hang the birds upside down and spray the legs with WD40. You have to have them upside down so the oil goes under the scales, but the girls were much happier with me doing that than painting their legs with the stuff from the vet and it worked a treat!

[blulagoo]

I've used WD 40 and it worked, hens didn't seem to mind it at all

[GrannieAnnie]

I've used WD 40 and it worked, hens didn't seem to mind it at all

LOL, I bet it stopped them squeaking too!   

[nerdle]

If the cause is redmite they'll need to go too.

[Beekissed]

Why not just stick with the castor oil?  I've had it work wonders on a long standing mite problem with just one application.  The scales sloughed off and the new scales underneath were lovely and supple.  Just massage a good coat of the castor oil into those scales and let it be, have patience and just watch what happens. 

Before~



As the old scales are lifting and sloughing off....



And the smoothness of the finish....



After the treatment I could tell the mites were gone...checked those scales within a week or so and could no longer see the scaliness and redness near and under the raised scales, but it took a few months for the old scales to finally slough completely off~didn't have to wait for a molt~and show the new scales beneath.  And that was only one treatment of the castor oil. 

[New shoot]

I tried the castor oil treatment on Foghorn, my 5 year old Serama lad.  He's not got scaly leg mite, but he has always suffered with dry skin on his feet that gets thick and scaly.  Perhaps the chicken equivalent of psoriasis    He doesn't seem to bother him much, but he does sometime peck at his feet as if they are itchy.

Anyway, he got treated a few days after I read this and when I picked him up today to check, his feet were looking really good.  Not quite perfect, but loads better, so thank you Beekissed for the tip.  He may be on for a regular foot massage now 

[Beekissed]

YW! My birds seem to like the massage.     I use it on my elderly parents' feet as well...keeps them from splitting and getting scaly in the winter months.  Best thing I've found so far and I've used a plenty different things...none works as well as the CO.