Scaley Mites on Hen

[Mamapio]

I have one two year old hen with scaley legs. Her legs are also mottled with grey and red splotches.

The scales are slightly lifted. She also has some white spots on her comb. Does this look like mites? Gold laced Wyandotte. Not sure if she is laying because we have two. She is acting healthy.

 

[azygous]

Treating for the leg mites won't hurt anything. It's not like some invasive procedure with risks you only take if you're certain it's necessary.

Soak the legs and feet in warm Epsom salts to soften the scales. Use a fingernail brush to scrub dirt from under the scales. Then use generous amounts of Vaseline or castor oil to thoroughly coat the legs and feet, pushing as much up under any lifted scales as you can. This smothers an mites hiding there.

It will be a greasy mess and dirt will adhere to it. Don't worry. It will all wear off in about three days.