Treating scaly leg in backyard poultry: a case study from Greece

1. Scaly leg, caused by Cnemidocoptes mutans, is occasionally observed in backyard poultry farms in Greece. In Greece, infestations with C. mutans typically result in mild lesions and occasional scratching behaviour.2. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of two antiparasitic treatments - Phoxim (via foot baths and barn spraying) and Ivermectin (in feed) - in 36 backyard poultry farms in southern Greece, in groups of 15-82 chickens.3. All treatment protocols were found to be effective and safe for clinical use. A single application of either treatment was as effective as two applications administered 11 d apart. Barn spraying with Phoxim solution did not enhance the efficacy of the Phoxim foot bath. For Ivermectin administered via medicated feed, it was observed that providing the drug for only 1 d may result in some birds not consuming the necessary dose. Therefore, it is recommended to administer the medicated feed over at least two consecutive days to ensure adequate drug intake.4. The study investigated the impact of scaly leg on egg production, the potential effects of Ivermectin on egg production and the role of cohabiting Muscovy ducks in an additional 10 backyard poultry farms. The results indicated that (i) scaly leg disease was associated with a reduction in egg production, (ii) Ivermectin had no adverse effects on egg production in laying hens and (iii) Muscovy ducks were not affected by Cnemidocoptes mutans and did not contribute to its transmission or epidemiology.5. These findings provide practical recommendations for managing scaly leg in backyard flocks and contribute to improved poultry health and productivity in small-scale farming systems.