More and more people are discovering the satisfaction that comes from having a backyard flock of chickens, whether for meat or eggs or both, but they also discover that parasites can sweep through a flock if they aren't careful. Scaly leg mites are one such pest, burrowing beneath the scales on a chicken's leg and even causing lameness or toe loss. Though it's easier to take preventative measures to keep your chickens healthy, it's possible to cure them of scaly leg mites if they do become infected.
Instructions
Get Rid of Chicken Mites on the Feet
1. Diagnose your chicken's disease. Does your chicken have an enlarged, rough leg? Are there crusty deposits underneath the normal scales on the foot? If so, chances are it is suffering from scaly leg mites.
2. Measure one part kerosene to two parts linseed oil. Do not substitute motor oil for the kerosene. Most hardware and art supply stores will carry linseed oil; hardware stores, paint stores and some gas stations sell kerosene.
3. Combine kerosene with linseed oil in a non-plastic container.
4. Brush the chickens' perches with the kerosene and linseed oil every two or three days.
5. Brush the legs of the chickens with the kerosene and linseed oil mixture every two or three days, or dip their legs into a container of the mixture. Take care to only treat the scaly part of the leg; this mixture will irritate the feathered portion of the leg.
6. Take the petroleum jelly and coat the infected chicken's legs with it on a weekly basis, if the scaly leg mites persist. Be careful not to get petroleum jelly on their feathers.
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