If you’ve noticed your chicken’s legs looking crusty, raised, or a bit swollen, you might be dealing with a tiny but troublesome parasite: scaly leg mites. These microscopic mites can cause discomfort, pain, and long-term damage if left untreated — but the good news is, they're totally treatable.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about scaly leg mites, including how to spot them, treat them, and prevent them in the future.
🐜 What Are Scaly Leg Mites?
Scaly leg mites (Knemidocoptes mutans) are microscopic parasites that burrow under the scales on a chicken’s legs and feet. Once there, they feed and reproduce, causing irritation, inflammation, and that classic “scaly” or crusty appearance.
They’re:
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Too small to see with the naked eye
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Highly contagious to other chickens
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Painful and irritating for your birds
🔍 Signs of Scaly Leg Mite Infestation
It often starts subtly, but if you catch it early, treatment is much easier. Here’s what to look for:
✅ Early Signs:
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Raised or slightly lifted leg scales
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Dry or flaky skin on legs and feet
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Chickens pecking or limping occasionally
❌ Advanced Signs:
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Thick, crusty build-up on legs and toes
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Swollen or deformed toes
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Lameness or reluctance to walk
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Bleeding or secondary infection
🧠 Pro Tip: Healthy chicken leg scales should lie flat and smooth. Any lifting, crusting, or thickening is worth investigating.
🛠️ How to Treat Scaly Leg Mites
Step 1: Isolate the Affected Bird(s)
Mites spread easily, so it’s best to separate the affected birds during treatment.
Step 2: Soak & Clean the Legs
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Soak the legs in warm, soapy water for 10–15 minutes to soften the scales
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Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to remove dirt and some crust (don’t force anything off)
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Pat dry with a clean towel
Step 3: Apply Treatment
There are several effective options:
🧴 (Smothering Method) Scaley leg oil
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Apply scaley leg oil to affected legs
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This smothers and kills the mites and softens the scales
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Repeat daily or every other day for 1–2 weeks
🐛 Poultry Mite Treatments (e.g. Ivermectin or Permethrin)
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Can be used topically or orally (check with a vet or product label)
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Treat all birds in the flock, not just those with symptoms
🧂 Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
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Dust coop and bedding with DE to help control mites in the environment
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Use food-grade DE only
Step 4: Treat the Coop
Mites hide in roosts, cracks, and bedding, so a deep clean is crucial.
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Remove all bedding and nesting material
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Scrub roosts and coop surfaces
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Spray with a poultry-safe mite spray
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Dust with DE or mite powder
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Replace with clean, dry bedding
Step 5: Monitor and Repeat
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Keep treating every few days for several weeks until the legs improve
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New, healthy scales may take months to grow back fully
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Continue treating the coop regularly to prevent reinfestation
🛡️ How to Prevent Scaly Leg Mites
Prevention is much easier than treatment! Here's how to keep mites at bay:
✅ Keep coop and roosts clean and dry
✅ Use mite-repelling herbs or powders in nesting areas
✅ Regularly inspect chickens' legs, especially older birds
✅ Quarantine new chickens before introducing them to the flock
✅ Treat wooden roosts and cracks with mite-repellent oils or DE
✅ Provide dust baths with DE or wood ash so chickens can self-treat
🧼 Healthy hygiene and regular flock checks are your best defence!
🐔 Final Thoughts
Scaly leg mites may be tiny, but the discomfort they cause your chickens is no small matter. With a little TLC, some natural (or medicated) treatments, and good coop hygiene, your flock will be strutting comfortably again in no time.
Need leg mite treatments or coop mite-control products? We’ve got a range of natural and vet-approved solutions at Chook Manor.
Pop in, shop online, or message us — we're here to help your hens stay happy and healthy!
Shop our scaly leg oil here
– The Chook Manor Team 🐓✨
