These tiny insects burrow under the scales on the legs and feet. The mites themselves are too tiny to see, but they leave their mark by causing the legs to become swollen, dry and crusty looking. Left untreated, it can cause quite a lot of discomfort for the chicken, and in extreme cases can result in lameness and loss of toes.

Today I checked over Artemis, our little Pekin Bantam. It is always harder to spot the scales in chickens with feathered feet and although I check our chickens over regularly, she did in fact have some leg mites that needed treating.

There are lots of remedies out there for treating scaly leg mites, and this is how I do it, starting with a day spa!

🐓Firstly soak the legs in warm water with a mild shampoo, a flea shampoo works well. I use a soft toothbrush to very carefully brush the softened scales and dirt away. Be careful not to scrub as it can be painful.

🐓Pat the legs and between the toes with a soft towel, do not rub.

🐓Cover the legs and toes in oil, or Vaseline. This suffocates the mites. This step needs to be repeated several times a week for as long as it takes for the legs to regain their smooth finish.

In severe cases, it is recommended to use ivermectin on the chicken to kill the mites. Using diatomaceous earth or poultry dust to treat the coop and nesting area is also advisable.

I will post updates on how Artemis goes after her treatment. It is a process, but one that gives the chicken almost instant relief once the mites are no longer biting and burrowing.