Brahma feet looking pink- losing feathers?

[murphrandir]

Hey all, I’m new here. I’ve had chickens for almost a year (April) and I’m loving it- especially my Brahmas. A couple of weeks ago, I asked a local chicken group if they thought the difference in feathering between one of my birds was normal. I have one Brahma with tons of feathers on her feet, and one with not so many. The consensus was that it was normal, so I didn’t think too much about it. Fast forward to today, I noticed that her feet are looking rather raw and pink in places. Is this scaly leg mites, someone pecking at her? Or some thing else? The pics with the “E” are from last week, just to show the progression.

 

[azygous]

Two things come to mind that could cause this red irritation. One, the most likely, is feather picking, either by the owner of the feet or her pals. Blu-kote painted onto the bare, red spots can heal the feet while discouraging further pecking.

The other cause of irritated feet can be buildup of ammonia in the coop and run litter. Removing feces on a regular basis can help if this is the issue.

 

[murphrandir]

Two things come to mind that could cause this red irritation. One, the most likely, is feather picking, either by the owner of the feet or her pals. Blu-kote painted onto the bare, red spots can heal the feet while discouraging further pecking.

The other cause of irritated feet can be buildup of ammonia in the coop and run litter. Removing feces on a regular basis can help if this is the issue.

Thanks! So the blue-kote will also discourage her from picking her own feathers? I don't observe any others getting after her and she and her sister are pretty high atop the pecking order. I'm inclined to think it isn't ammonia, everybody else has pretty spiffy looking feet, and I don't notice a smell in either the coop or run.

 

[azygous]

No guarantees the Blu-kote will stop her from pecking her own feet, but it will almost certainly stop others.

If she continues to peck at her feet, it usually means they hurt. Chickens peck at what hurts just as we grab a body part that hurts us. What I suggest is a nice soak in warm Epsom salts and coating the feet in castor oil which has all sorts of natural healing qualities. If leg mites are a cause if this irritation, the castor oil will smother them and soothe the irritated tissue.

Castor oil may seem very messy, but it all wears off cleanly in a few days.

 

[murphrandir]

No guarantees the Blu-kote will stop her from pecking her own feet, but it will almost certainly stop others.

If she continues to peck at her feet, it usually means they hurt. Chickens peck at what hurts just as we grab a body part that hurts us. What I suggest is a nice soak in warm Epsom salts and coating the feet in castor oil which has all sorts of natural healing qualities. If leg mites are a cause if this irritation, the castor oil will smother them and soothe the irritated tissue.

Castor oil may seem very messy, but it all wears off cleanly in a few days.

Aw ok, that makes me feel awful. Since hers are the only ones that look this way, should I treat everyone for mites, or just see if it clears up for her?

 

[azygous]

No need to treat the others unless you see irritation and lifted scales. With these kind of parasites, I don't know why, but it can affect only one or two in a flock. Just treat this one girl for now.

I apply the castor oil with a one-inch paint brush and slather it on generously.

 

[murphrandir]

No need to treat the others unless you see irritation and lifted scales. With these kind of parasites, I don't know why, but it can affect only one or two in a flock. Just treat this one girl for now.

I apply the castor oil with a one-inch paint brush and slather it on generously.

Ok, so epsom soak and castor oil. Will I need to reapply either treatment?

 

[azygous]

Probably not. But watch for symptoms (pecking feet) that would indicate further discomfort, and then you might want to do a second treatment.

 

[murphrandir]

Probably not. But watch for symptoms (pecking feet) that would indicate further discomfort, and then you might want to do a second treatment.

Picking up the blue coat, should I apply this before or after the castor oil?

 

[azygous]

Before the oil. Let dry. Then do the oil. Applying the Blu-kote is easier using a Q-tip than the shoe polish applicator that comes in the bottle. Be careful. The stuff stains.