Chicken with crusty, bleeding face and feet. Weak!

[munchkin123]

Hi!

This morning when I went out to the coop, I noticed that one of my hens is seriously ill. She has a crusty buildup on her entire face and eyelids that is cracking and bleeding slightly. Her feet are like her face and have crust buildup as well. When I picked her up, she felt incredible weak and has lost weight. I immediately separated her away from the flock in case she is contagious.

She is an ISA Brown and about 2-3 years old. It looks like it could be mites on her feet but I've never seen them on a chickens face and cause this kind of damage! She doesn't have runny stools or a messy bottom and is eating and drinking fine. For now, we are cleaning her with a warm washcloth, rubbing her legs with Vaseline and spraying Vetericyn on her face. Any Advice is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[micstrachan]

Oh my! I have no idea what this could be. Maybe scaly leg mites? Can chickens get this on their face skin? Wait for a better answer, but I think you may be able to apply a thin coat of coconut oil to sooth it and possibly suffocate the mites, if that’s what it is. I think you’d have to be very careful not to block her nares. I suspect someone else will suggest a more aggressive approach.
I think she immediately needs supportive care. Warm, dark, quiet comfortable space and electrolytes. Is she eating, drinking, pooping normally?

 

[munchkin123]

Oh my! I have no idea what this could be. Maybe scaly leg mites? Can chickens get this on their face skin? Wait for a better answer, but I think you may be able to apply a thin coat of coconut oil to sooth it and possibly suffocate the mites, if that’s what it is. I think you’d have to be very careful not to block her nares. I suspect someone else will suggest a more aggressive approach.
I think she immediately needs supportive care. Warm, dark, quiet comfortable space and electrolytes. Is she eating, drinking, pooping normally?

Yes, she is pooping, drinking and eating fine. I did apply Vaseline to smother the mites if there are any, and Vetericyn- a medicated spray for pets. I'm hoping to try to heal her on my own since there are no chicken vets around! Thank you!

 

[micstrachan]

I think you are on the right track. I sincerely hope someone more experienced jumps in. Do you have electrolytes. If not, there is a homemade solution somewhere here on the forums.

 

[munchkin123]

No I do not. I will try to find electrolytes around town or maybe make some myself. Thanks for the advice!