- Mar 26, 2014
- 15
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I have a small flock of 30 chickens and 18 Narragansett turkeys including 6 jakes/jennies hatched a few months ago. They are on about 1/2 acre of grass and brush. A few days ago I noticed a round 1 cm pussy lesion on the toe and a swollen joint just above that on the leg of a turkey hen when I locked her up for the night. By the next day it was a bloody indentation from her biting. No one else had symptoms. Then yesterday she had it on both feet and 2 of my 3 toms had bloody crusty wounds on their legs. No other birds seem affected at this point, but this is not a good trend, obviously.
An indication of a parasite (IMHO) is that they are all three very uncomfortable, biting and holding out their legs, but I'm a little perplexed that none of the other birds have any apparent discomfort and these three are really a mess.
I cleaned out the shed, washed the roosts with vinegar, dusted everything inside with wood ashes and diatomaceous earth, and put electrolytes in the water to give everyone a boost while I try to figure out what to do next. I also moved the water to a different spot in case the muddy soil near it is now contaminated.
At this point I have assumed it's scaly mites, although I don't know if her infection is a typical symptom of that pest. Anyone care to weigh in? Could it be bumblefoot?
If it's not mites can it be infectious synovitis? I was thinking about putting the three on antibiotics just to try to make sure their wounds don't get infected. I was going to treat for mites by rubbing their legs and feet with rice oil and wrapping their feet with vet wrap to try to keep them from biting at the lesions. Any advice would be appreciated.
An indication of a parasite (IMHO) is that they are all three very uncomfortable, biting and holding out their legs, but I'm a little perplexed that none of the other birds have any apparent discomfort and these three are really a mess.
I cleaned out the shed, washed the roosts with vinegar, dusted everything inside with wood ashes and diatomaceous earth, and put electrolytes in the water to give everyone a boost while I try to figure out what to do next. I also moved the water to a different spot in case the muddy soil near it is now contaminated.
At this point I have assumed it's scaly mites, although I don't know if her infection is a typical symptom of that pest. Anyone care to weigh in? Could it be bumblefoot?
If it's not mites can it be infectious synovitis? I was thinking about putting the three on antibiotics just to try to make sure their wounds don't get infected. I was going to treat for mites by rubbing their legs and feet with rice oil and wrapping their feet with vet wrap to try to keep them from biting at the lesions. Any advice would be appreciated.