[chickenlady]

Today i have noticed Roastie has raised scales on her legs just above her feet!!  I am assuming its the dreaded scaley leg mite? or could it be she is moulting them out? she is the oldest of my flock as she came into lay last august and hasnt had a moult yet! (i know its usually later in the year) do i just treat for mites anyway? and do i treat the others even though they show no signs?

Thanks in advance!

Debbie

[poultrygeist]

Hi Debbie.

I would treat as scaly leg mite. Info link below with relevant bit copied.
Hope it clears up ok. I don't know whether you treat all of them or just keep an eye out.

Rob

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=5250.0

Scaly Leg Mite

Scaly Leg Mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) is found on the scales of the legs and feet, you may see lifting of the scales, and separation from the skin of the leg underneath. The legs and feet may become swollen, tender and have a discharge or exudate forming under the scales and can give the bird trouble walking.



Picture courtesy of ClareT

Scales can be seen to be lifted by the mites

Checks, Treatment and Prevention

Scaly leg mite can be treated by a direct contact treatment with a substance which will suffocate the mite such as petroleum jelly, vegetable or mineral oils, but may need treatment by a vet.  It is wise to treat the chicken coop with mite powder or spray repeating after one week, and also treat their companion birds. 

DO NOT PULL OFF OR PICK THE SCALES.  They will fall off and be replaced when the chicken moults.

[Foxy]

Have a good look at her feathers, any other signs of moult? Ha ve a good look at hte scales, any evidence of a greyish subvstance under the scale? You can paint her legs with
benzyl benzoate available from the chemist, very effective if you suspect SLM, Ivermectin is another good one that vets recommend. Meanwhile you could smother her legs with vaseline just in case. If it is scaly leg mite and you catch it early it is quite easy to sort out. You will have to check all the other birds and clean henhouses thouroughly to prevent other birds becoming infested.

[chickenlady]

Will treat as slm
would vaseline be enough or would i need one of those other things you mentioned Foxy?! If i took out all the old bedding  could i use a dilute jeyes solution in a sprayer too kill the little blighters?

Debbie

[woodside farm]

I use poundlands petrolium jelly, just smear it all over her legs.

Michelle xx

[joyfull]

after reading this Debbie I have just checked my hens and my bluebelle has a few raised scales one 1 of her legs. She is about 16 - 17 months old so think she must be about the same age as yours as she also started to lay last August as well. I have got some morris*ns petroleum jelly which I bought for doing the ends of the perches so will smear her legs with this. None of my others have any raised so can only assume that it is the start of her first moult 

[chickenlady]

have put vaseline on her legs, she has lost loads of feathers on her tummy too but on close inspection of her legs whilst rubbing the vaseline on  they are really lumpy it seems as if this has happened over night! i know it couldnt of but i cant believe i didint notice it before!?

cant get benzyl benzoate without ordering it from llyods pharmacy, the lady in chemist said is it for a horse and i said no a chicken! a customer waiting for her prescription looked quite shocked 
anyway I have been doing stuff to the growers run and really dont want to be scrubbing the big house out today as im paranoid i will pass something on to them so i will get all jobs with the little ones out of the way in the morning and tackle the shed in the afternoon.
Debbie

[joyfull]

debbie not sure if it's birchgrove at pinchbeck or rookes in spalding (or even both) that sells spray for scaly leg mite in chickens. Going to vaseline my hen but am out all day tomorrow so will get some spray on saturday.

[Foxy]

after reading this Debbie I have just checked my hens and my bluebelle has a few raised scales one 1 of her legs. She is about 16 - 17 months old so think she must be about the same age as yours as she also started to lay last August as well. I have got some morris*ns petroleum jelly which I bought for doing the ends of the perches so will smear her legs with this. None of my others have any raised so can only assume that it is the start of her first moult 

errr also used for "sweet itch" a horsy problem!!!

[chickenlady]

Went to Rookes joy and they only had a spray that deters them not get rid of them!

Ahhh yes sweet itch! i remember it well from my horsey days! at least these blooming chickens cant get that! can they ? 

Debbie

[ness]

I've found my girls have scaly leg and I've just got "Just for scaley leg" from my local horsey chickeny feed place.  I will let you know if it works.
Got told you couldn't get benzyl benzoate any more due to the fact it was carcinergenic (sp?).  I asked for it at Boots and you'd have thought I was asking for crack cocaine!