How to treat mites on a chicken's legs?

How to treat mites on a chicken's legs? - briefly

Clean the legs with warm soapy water, then apply a poultry‑approved miticide (e.g., pyrethrin‑based spray) following label directions and repeat after 7–10 days to interrupt the mite life cycle. Isolate the affected birds and treat the coop bedding to prevent reinfestation.

How to treat mites on a chicken's legs? - in detail

Mite infestation on poultry legs requires rapid intervention to prevent tissue damage and secondary infection. First, confirm the presence of parasites by inspecting the skin for small, moving specks, crusty lesions, or feather loss near the shank and toe joints. Use a magnifying lens if necessary.

1. Immediate cleaning

   • Soak the affected limbs in warm water (≈38 °C) for 5 minutes.
   • Add a mild antiseptic such as chlorhexidine (0.05 % solution) to the bath.
   • Gently scrub the area with a soft brush to remove debris and dead mites.
   • Dry the legs thoroughly with clean towels.

2. Topical acaricide application

   • Choose a product labeled for poultry, e.g., pyrethrin‑based spray or a 0.5 % ivermectin solution.
   • Apply directly to the skin, ensuring coverage of the entire shank, joints, and between the toes.
   • Repeat application after 48 hours to eliminate newly hatched mites.

3. Systemic medication (if severe)

   • Administer oral ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg body weight, once daily for three consecutive days.
   • Alternatively, use a subcutaneous injection of doramectin at 0.2 mg/kg, following veterinary dosage guidelines.

4. Environmental sanitation

   • Remove all bedding, disinfect coop surfaces with a 1 % bleach solution, and replace with fresh, dry material.
   • Treat perches and nesting boxes with a diluted pyrethrin spray, allowing complete drying before re‑use.
   • Implement a regular cleaning schedule: full coop turnover weekly, spot cleaning daily.

5. Preventive measures

   • Maintain low humidity (≤60 %) and good ventilation to discourage mite proliferation.
   • Rotate pasture or use raised, wire‑mesh flooring to reduce contact with contaminated soil.
   • Conduct monthly visual inspections of the flock, focusing on legs and vent area.

Monitoring after treatment should continue for at least two weeks. Absence of live mites, healed skin, and normal behavior indicate successful eradication. Persistent lesions or re‑infestation warrant veterinary reassessment and possible adjustment of medication dosage.