Control Methods and Technical Key Points for Scaly Leg Mite Disease in Chickens

Scaly leg mite disease in chickens is a condition caused by sarcoptic mites, often presenting as two forms: depluming itch and scaly leg.

1 Pathogen and Symptoms

The pathogen of depluming itch in chickens is the scaly leg mite, which is round or oval in shape and about 0.3 mm long. This mite mostly invades the skin along the feathers and parasitizes the base of the feathers, causing inflammation. Lesions are mostly seen on the back, wings, rump, and thighs of chickens, with severe localized itching and feather loss, hence the name depluming itch. Affected chickens peck and pull at their feathers, causing feathers to fall out, the skin to become red, and bare spots to form on the skin, which feel like pustules when touched. The pathogen of scaly leg in chickens is Knemidocoptes mutans, with a body length of about 0.5 mm, which parasitizes the inner layer of the featherless scales on the lower part of the chicken's legs, causing skin inflammation. Affected chickens show a sensation of severe itching; when the affected area is rubbed, bleeding or exudate occurs easily, and after drying, a layer of white scab forms, as if coated with a layer of lime, hence the name scaly leg. Affected chickens have difficulty walking and sometimes show alternating walking and flying. In severe cases, it affects feeding and growth.

2 Treatment

Both of these conditions are transmitted through contact and mostly occur under intensive floor-raising conditions. Once a flock is infected with this disease, it will quickly spread throughout the entire flock. Therefore, if affected chickens are found, they should be isolated and treated immediately, and newly purchased chickens should be strictly inspected. The treatment methods for scaly leg mite disease in chickens are as follows.

Depluming itch in chickens: take 1 part pine tar, 1 part sulfur, 2 parts soft soap, and 2 parts 0.5% alcohol, mix well and apply to the affected area. A 10% sulfur ointment can also be applied for treatment. Scaly leg in chickens: soak the affected area in warm water or soapy water to soften the scab, then brush off the scab, and after drying, apply a layer of kerosene once a day for 7 days as one course of treatment. Or after removing the scab, apply 10% sulfur ointment.