What Are Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens and What Causes Them?

Scaly leg mites can wreak havoc on your chooks, causing discomfort and potentially permanent damage to their legs and feet if left untreated.

These tiny parasites burrow under the scales on a chicken’s legs, creating a bumpy, raised appearance. The condition isn’t just painful for your birds, it’s also highly contagious and can spread quickly through your flock.

Early intervention is key, and the good news is that with the right care and tools, you can treat scaly leg mites effectively while keeping your hens comfortable and healthy.

If you're a beginner backyard keeper, you're not alone. Many chickens owners are caught off guard by this common issue. Catching scaly leg mites early and acting quickly is the best way to protect your flock. By combining good management practices, natural remedies, and preventative care, you can keep scaly mites under control.

Before you dive into treatment, check out our guide on everything you need to start keeping chickens in New Zealand for a solid foundation in chicken care.

Key Takeaways

• What are scaly leg mites? Parasites that burrow under the leg scales of chickens, causing swelling, crusting, and lameness.
• Symptoms: Raised, bumpy scales, flaky skin, and potential deformities.
• Treatment: Soaking with soapy water or Epsom salts, applying natural or veterinary-approved treatments, and regular coop cleaning.
• Prevention: Good hygiene, quarantine for new birds, and regular inspections. Providing dust baths with diatomaceous earth can also help prevent mites.

What Are Scaly Leg Mites and What Causes Them?

Scaly leg mites ( Knemidocoptes mutans) are microscopic parasites that burrow into the skin beneath a chicken’s leg scales. They feed on keratin, causing the scales to lift and thicken. This leads to chickens' legs having flaky, dry skin usually with swelling and inflammation.

Picture with examples how chicken legs affected by scaly leg mites typically look like.

These mites are highly contagious and spread easily between birds, either through direct contact or shared surfaces like perches and nesting boxes.

The mites thrive in dirty or damp environments, especially where hygiene isn’t maintained. They’re often introduced to a flock by new birds that weren’t properly quarantined or through wild birds that visit coops. If wild birds are a problem in your area, consider installing  bird netting to keep wild birds away.

Even in well-maintained setups, scaly leg mites can occasionally appear, making regular flock checks vital for early detection.

Symptoms of Scaly Leg Mites

Early signs include:

• Flaky, dry skin around the legs and feet.
• Mild swelling or irritation, which may initially go unnoticed.
• Scales appearing slightly raised or uneven.

As the infestation worsens:

• Scales becoming thickened and crusty, resembling the rough texture of a crocodile’s skin or a warty toad.
• Legs and feet appearing inflamed, with noticeable redness or scabs.
• Lameness or reluctance to walk as the mites cause discomfort.
• Severe deformities in extreme cases, including permanent damage to the legs and feet.

Be aware that some conditions, like bumblefoot or fungal infections, can cause similar symptoms. Look closely at your chickens’ legs and feet, paying attention to any signs of mites burrowing under the scales.

Chickens with weaker immune systems, such as those at the bottom of the pecking order or already dealing with illness or deficiencies, are more likely to experience severe symptoms. These birds may need extra care and attention to recover fully.

If you’re uncertain, seek advice from a poultry expert or veterinarian.

How to Treat Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens

1. Soak and Clean

Start by soaking your chicken’s legs in warm, soapy water or a solution of Epsom salts for 5–10 minutes. This helps soften the scales and loosen any crusty build-up.

Gently scrub the legs with a soft brush to clean the area, taking care not to irritate inflamed skin.

2. Apply Treatment

Dry the legs thoroughly and apply a veterinary-recommended scaly leg mite treatment. For natural options, oils like coconut or neem can smother the mites and provide soothing relief for the skin.

These methods work by cutting off the mites’ oxygen supply but do not kill mite eggs embedded under the scales. To enhance effectiveness, you can follow your initial treatment with a layer of petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to seal the scales and trap remaining mites.

Poultry supply stores or online retailers often stock mite sprays and leg treatments specifically for chickens. Always check product labels for safe use with egg-laying birds.

3. Repeat Regularly

Because suffocation methods don’t eliminate unhatched eggs, you’ll need to repeat the process every few days for 2–3 weeks. This ensures new mites are killed as they hatch and prevents reinfestation.

Natural Treatments for Scaly Leg Mites

For those seeking a natural approach:

• Coconut oil: Softens scales and suffocates mites.
• Neem oil: A natural pesticide that promotes healing.
• Diatomaceous earth (DE): A fine powder made from fossilised algae. While DE is effective for treating coops and preventing mites, it won’t work on birds as it cannot penetrate scales.

How NOT to Treat Chicken Leg Mites

While there’s plenty of advice online, some commonly recommended treatments for scaly leg mites can harm your chickens or be ineffective.

Avoid the following:

• Dangerous chemicals: Petrol, kerosene, and WD40 may cause severe irritation, pain, and long-term health issues if absorbed through the skin.
• Ineffective remedies: Crisco, vegetable oil, and petroleum jelly might smother some mites but are not reliable treatments.
• Misuse of natural remedies: Garlic cloves in water or diatomaceous earth applied directly to birds are unlikely to work. While DE can effectively kill mites in the coop, it cannot penetrate the scales on a chicken’s legs.

Instead, stick to proven treatments that prioritise your chickens’ comfort and safety.

Other Issues with Similar Symptoms

Scaly leg mites aren’t the only cause of leg and foot issues in chickens.

Be sure to rule out these possibilities:

• Bumblefoot: A bacterial infection that presents as swelling, scabs, or limping.
• Fungal infections: These can cause flaky, irritated skin.
• Injuries: Bruising or cuts can mimic the swelling seen with mites.

If you’re unsure, consult a vet to ensure you’re addressing the right issue.

Prevention Tips

Preventing scaly leg mites is much easier than treating an infestation.

Follow these tips to keep your flock mite-free:

1. Clean your coop regularly: Replace bedding weekly, scrub roosts, and disinfect surfaces to remove mites and their eggs.
2. Inspect your flock often: Check legs for early signs during routine health checks.
3. Quarantine new birds: Isolate any newcomers for at least two weeks to prevent introducing mites or other illnesses.
4. Prevent Wild Birds: Wild birds can carry mites and other diseases. Install bird netting to keep wild birds and predators out of the chicken coop.
5. Use quality feeders and drinkers: Stress weakens chickens’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to parasites. Invest in sturdy, easy-to-use chicken feeders and drinkers.

Keep Your Flock Healthy and Comfortable

Protecting your chooks from scaly leg mites is all about prevention and early intervention. With clean coops, regular health checks, and the right treatments, your birds can stay happy, healthy, and productive.

To make chicken keeping easier, check out our range of chicken feeders and chicken drinkers, designed to reduce waste and improve flock wellbeing. Questions? Contact us today for expert advice tailored to Kiwi chicken keepers.

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