Allow me to introduce myself...

[LifeAtTheVillas]

Hi

My name's Bridget and I have a small flock (four hens) in our back yard - we've had them since they were tiny chicks and now they're five years old and laying fewer and fewer eggs... in the spring I am planning to increase the flock and buy some more but undecided whether I get chicks or point of lay birds.

I came across this website whilst surfing the net trying to identify why one of our hens (a Buff Orpington) is lame - at first I thought it was bumblefoot but on closer inspection I'm having doubts as there are no sores - black or otherwise - on the undersides of her feet. However, she has always been prone to scaly leg so maybe perhaps that's the cause... Anyway, the diagnosis is a work in progress and in the meantime she is being treated like a princess.

Anyway, It's great to know I'm amongst like-minded people and I look forward to interacting on this forum in the future.

Bridget
LifeAtTheVillas

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

So sorry about your hen. You can always post pics with more info in our emergency section. Lots of knowledgeable members there to help out...https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I sure hope you can get her healed up soon. Make yourself at home here and we do welcome you to our flock!

 

[LifeAtTheVillas]

Thanks for the warm welcome - great hearing from you all the way in New Mexico! If she's no better by the weekend I'll put some pics on BYC in case anyone has any ideas

...

 

[TwoCrows]

Leg scale mites will cause lameness. Are the scales all raised and crusty looking? If so, you need to wash up the legs with some gentle soap and use vaseline on the scales every day. This will help to suffocate the mites and also soften the crusts. You don't want to pull them off. Let them fall off by themselves. A bad case can take months to heal. If you have any ivermectin, that will help with these mites as well. These mites can cause permanent lameness if it goes too long too.

 

[TwoCrows]

And you also need to dust or spray your nest boxes, roost bar, underneath roost bar especially. Mites love to hide under there. Clean out the coop weekly for a month to get a hold of all these pesky mites.

 

[LifeAtTheVillas]

Yes, a bit crusty in a couple of places. Thanks for the advice - I hope I haven't dithered too long and left it too late... wish me luck and I'll let you know how I get on

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[Sunshine sistas]

Welcome to BYC. Glad your birds could join ours

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!