Yellow Crusty / Mushy Skin UPDATED with pictures last post.

I was given three birds that are having a skin issue, and I'm looking for advice.

The birds were all healthy according to the former owner until recently like the last few days. All three birds have to some degree mild to very severe yellow crusty to mushy areas on the skin. The one bird that it is mild on is only on her feet and backs of legs .. the bird that is most severe is covering pretty much covering the whole body but there is no feather loss. I have the birds totally QT'd like so totally that they are across the road at a friends who no longer does poultry but has a coop still. Before putting them in the coop we bathed them really good using dawn dish soap I did not notice any bugs crawling off them during this but some of the yellow stuff came off the skin during the bath. I followed up the dawn with a thorough washing (with gloved hands) with anti fungal / anti bacteria shampoo, then they got rinsed really well and since it's warm out put into the coop.

I have Eprinex pour on and am considering putting that on them as well just in case it is mites and I didn't see them in the water due to all the other dirt that came off the birds.

The only other thing to note is the birds SMELL badly even after a bath the odor from them will make you gag if not in an open area.

We are bleaching all the towels we used to dry during the baths and have bleached the tubs out already, we wore gloves and changed clothes before coming into contact with any of our flock at home.

I put Poultry drench into their water and fed them after their baths, all three are acting like normal chickens none are lethargic or anything of that nature.

Thank you in advance for any and all input on this issue.

I saw a chicken with something similar and was trying to find out what it was and still have not. The lady taking care of them is treating it with monistat. It is like a growth and is yellow spongy and peels off. The outside is slick looking and black. Does yours look like that?

welasharon said:

I saw a chicken with something similar and was trying to find out what it was and still have not. The lady taking care of them is treating it with monistat. It is like a growth and is yellow spongy and peels off. The outside is slick looking and black. Does yours look like that?

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There is no black on the yellow of these birds. It is yellow and yes spongy is a good word for it, it does come off I didn't peel it off but some did come off in the bath. I wouldn't call what I'm seeing slick looking it appears more dull but wet at the same time. Maybe I can get my hubby to help me take pictures when he gets home that might help everyone by seeing it.

I've been searching the internet for something like it and I'm not finding anything the only thing that looks similar to me is mite infested birds but I didn't see any mites in the water but again the birds were dirty so lots of dirt was coming off I might of missed them.

THis bird is one I had helped treat for mites a year ago and it didn't look anything like this. She seems to think it is yeast in nature.

welasharon said:

THis bird is one I had helped treat for mites a year ago and it didn't look anything like this. She seems to think it is yeast in nature.

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Is she having any luck with the monistat?

The only reason I mention mites is that is the only thing I could find that is even similar in appearance as this yellow crud/sludge type stuff is down on the skin at the base of the feathers.

I didn't even think yeast but that does sound like it could be something to look into further as I said it does SMELL terrible, does your friends hen smell badly?

http://www.villagepetoutfitters.com...rbal-Bird-Rx-%2d-Candida{47}Yeast-BeGone.html

I found that product and am considering ordering it to try in case it is yeast in nature.

I found some pictures of parrots with yeast and it looks similar.

Yes it stinks horrendously.

welasharon said:

Yes it stinks horrendously.

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I think I'm going to go with this being Yeast. I am going to see if I can sweet talk my live stock vet who doesn't do chickens into giving me a script for Panalog to rub on them or Nystatin liquid to give orally to see if I can get this treated. Both of those meds I've read are used to treat Avian Yeast Infections.

I have nystatin. How much do you think?

Also consider bathing/soaking in a vinegar bath.

This sounds very similar to sarcoptic mange as seen in dogs.

Either way, I'm thinking you're gonna need to remove a lot of the crusty stuff which could be hiding mites and their larvae. You may consider using a flea and tick dip at half strength and dip the chickens until feathers and skin are saturated. Apply the solution around the face with a cloth. Because all 3 have the same problem, I'm thinking severe mite infestation over fungal infection. Very few fungal infections of the skin are contagious whereas mite infestations will spread rapidly to all flock members. I would treat primarily for mites and secondarily with antibiotics due to severe skin irritation.