Broody has sores on legs

[blue fire]

My broody has been sitting on the nest for at least a month. We ordered some chicks for her and they are due next week. I have discovered that around the hock area (Is that an actual term in chicken anatomy?) and they look like red irritated sores and the scales look like they are cracking. Is there anything I can do to heal the sores?

p.s.
I cleaned the nest box today and put softer material in it will that help? Also I realy don't want to boot her off the nest when she has babies coming

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds like scaly leg mites. This link tells you about them and how to treat. Basically smother them with oil.

http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/poultry_shanks.html

 

[blue fire]

No I don't think it is scaly leg mites the scales on her legs are not raised

 

[Judy]

If they are where her legs meet the bedding, with her body weight pushing down on them, then they are much the same as what is called bedsores or pressure sores in bedridden people, which are eventually fatal. The only real cure is getting her up and moving. Some local care would help, as for any wound, but she will not heal until the pressure is off.

 

[blue fire]

Would some ointment help? Or wrapping it?

 

[aupoet]

Whatever it is don't put anything oily on her feet or legs while she is setting on eggs. Those unhatched chicks are breathing through those egg shells right now and if they get coated with any oil the chicks will die.

 

[sammi]

is she setting on eggs?
or an empty nest waiting for a shipment of chicks?
have you gotten her out of the nest to get up, eat and drink and exercise the legs?
replaced the nest box bedding with clean bedding while she's been sitting?
was the bedding you just replaced dirty or damp?
what did you replace it with?

this hen either has Scaley leg Mite, or skin sores from irritant from the bedding..or as ddawn posted..similar to bed sores.

if she is not sitting on any eggs, try and wash the legs with very diluted cat shampoo or unscented baby shampoo..rinse well, and dry completely before returning her to the coop.
Examine the legs closely and figure out if it is sores or mites..
sitting hens are vulnerable to mites...so it wouldn't be a bad idea to give her a dust for mites.

you can treat the legs with neosporin, or a vet ointment called Panalog..(name brand)..generic is Animax..which treats both bacterial and fungal skin problems.

also as ddawn posted..the hen must get up and exercise the legs..don't put food and water right nest to her..but some steps away..and make her get up and feed and "go"..

keep an eye on the droppings to make sure they are normal, and not runny. (note that sitting hens will make big droppings from sitting so long..but they should be a normal color and not watery)

check the breast bone and see if it's prominent (indicates loss of weight)

what all are you feeding her?
she could probably use some vitamins and some extra protein, such as chopped egg and a little plain active culture yogurt.

 

[blue fire]

She is sitting on plastic easter eggs

waiting for the chicks. The old bedding was a little dirty, but it was dry and had DE in it so I realy don't think it is mites. I replaced with a lot of shreded paper, for cushion, and I added DE. I always take her outside every day usually twice and she stays outside for 5-15 min most likely 5. She will not eat or drink while she is on the nest box but when she is eating she is eating chick food, that we bought in preperation for the chicks (we only have four chickens so we try have only one bag of food at a time). Her poop looks healthy but she is quite skinny. We try to feed her treats hoping to fatten her up a bit, but not too much. It seems that while she is sitting on the nest the others will get in there with her to lay their eggs

.

 

[MissPrissy]

DE can be drying to the skin and cause breakage of the tissues. I suggest treating the wounds with blu-kote. Put some clean bedding under her. As soon as you get her some chicks she should come off the nest.

Other hens laying in her nest is a big issue. If you replace her eggs with live chicks the other hens may attempt to kill them, She needs to be in a secure area where the others cannot get to her.

 

[blue fire]

She is looking much better today. The areas are not as red as before and they don't hurt as much, I think it is because I washed it put neosporin on it and changed the bedding. Just saying in case anyone has a similar problem