Buyer Beware! This year at the Ohio Nationals I did not check the bird before I purchased her and she had scaly leg mites. We have been using vetrx and have been keeping her isolated. We are almost out of the RX and I need to know what other recommend, Thanks, Kelly

Kelly, The cleanest, easiest quickest kill for scaley leg mite--and leaves the legs smooth and nice (if the bird does not have a terrible case with heavy crusts) is Campho-phenique (people product for minor scratches etc.) Use a plastic eyedropper, fill with C-P, hold the chicken's legs up and drop by drop, start at the toes and let the C-P flow down each toe, then down the leg to the heel. It will flow right under the "scales" of the toes and legs, and one treatment will usually do a mild case. To be sure, a second treatment in 10 days or 2 weeks--and now that you have the mite--replace your roost boards and treat any birds that associated with your new acquisition as prevention. Remember, it takes very little, smells nice, leaves the legs looking show-shape. I do it for all birds I sell, even tho I have not had a case of the scaley leg mite for many years. It will give them some defense for a while, if they go to a place where it exsists. Most oily treatments make a mess--this one is nice. CJR

Thanks, Cjeanr. I had been treating my rooster for several weeks with mineral oil, and you're right, it's messy. After reading your advice, I bought some campho-phenique and used some on myself too to for mite bites. It's very soothing and provided instant relief.

Liz Douglas

I am fairly new to the scaley leg mite, and have a question about the scaley leg mites. My rooster has had for 2 years now, thick scales on both of his legs and feet. He is a Chineese Silky. ( are they all born with extra toes??) I have 5 hens and none of them have the scaley leg mites. He has also lost some of his toes,(would that be from the mites?) I thank you in advance for your answers!! Donna

I use the old Vicks Vapourub (or any generic brand of the same) for the legs on my chooks. I have found that the most disfigured set of legs will clear up in about 6 weeks.

As a preventative for Scaly Leg Mite I rub the legs every 6-8 weeks.

If treating a bad case use the Vicks twice-weekly for about 3 weeks, then check to see if the scales are falling off. If they are, give the treatment a break for about 2 weeks(because the legs might be a bit tender). If lumpy scales remain repeat the twice weekly application.

Once the scales fall off the legs, a few applications of Vit E Cream helps them heal up and get natural leg colour back.

One of my easter egg layers I think has leg mites. Her scales are lifting up and she has gotten a "boil" kind of pink in color between her toes. It is smaller than a marble. Can anyone tell me if you are supposed to see the mites? Also do I need to keep her away from the other 3 hens. Your help with i.d. and treatment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I have an older Rooster and one of his feet is swollen real bad. He can hardly walk on it now. This problem has been apparent for some time but is getting much worse. Could this be arthritis or maybe leg mites. Please help.
Thanks Terry

I dip my birds' feet in a mixture of 2 parts linseed oil, 1 part kerosene. I also rub the roosts with it. You can't just do it once, it has to be every month or so. If I let it go too long, I coat the feet and legs with vaseline.

SOMEBODY GAVE ME IN NOVEMBER 5 HENS OF 4 YEARS OLD IN REALY POOR CONDITION, I DISCOVERED AFTER A WHILE ( I AM NEW TO THAT) THAT THEY WERE COVERED WITH MANY KIND OF BUGS AND THEY ALL HAD SEVERE SCALY LEGS, I GOT RID OF THE BUGS EASELY, BUT I STILL TAKE CARE OF THE SCALY LEGS, I USED MURPHY OIL, VASELINE AND SULFUR, IT IS BETTER BUT IT IS GONE A TAKE AN EXTRA MONTH OR MORE I BELEIVE, MONDAY THEY WILL HAVE A WORMER FROM THE VET. AT LEAST, NOW THEY LOOK BETTER, THE EAT MORE, THEY TOOK WEIGHT, THEY HAVE A LOT OF NEW FEATHERS, THEY ALL START TO LAY EGGS, AND THEY ARE MORE CONFORTABLE, BECAUSE I SEE THAT THEY WALK MORE, THEY ARE MORE ACTIVE. IN THE FUTURE, I'LL TRY TO PREVENT THAT, IT IS LESS PAIN FOR THEM AND LESS WORK FOR ME.