Chicken with irritated skin

[LoveChickens867]

Hello! One of our chickens, 2 yo developed these red spots on her legs, the skin looks pink on her feet. She keeps pecking them as if they are itching. We brought her inside but she can't even sleep at night as she keeps scratching her feet. This is what her feet look like. She is not broody, doesn't seem to have the mites. I have spread Diatomaceous Earth a few times in her sleeping box just in case she has mites. I've been doing tons of research online and read an article that it might be scald where due to wet weather conditions and poop on the ground they can develop scald. But I don't see treatment for it. I'm not really sure what she has. It's been over a week but it's not getting better. She does seem to eat ok.

Yesterday I noticed she has red (pink) irritated skin on her belly. Please help!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good morning, welcome to BYC!

I'm not saying it is mites... but how did you look for them? How many other birds have you got?

There are different types of mites and some are microscopic and live on the bird. While others live under the roost and only come onto the bird to feed at night. It is my understanding that mite bites itch.

Mosquito bites? Something new blooming in your yard causing an allergy?

 

[LoveChickens867]

Well, I looked everywhere there is skin and I don't see anything moving. I might be wrong. Does that look like mites?

We have 5 more chickens (6 in total) and the rest are perfectly fine. I didn't know mosquitos can bite chickens. These spots on legs are so tiny though and the irritated skin on her belly just looks pink, no bumps or anything. We do have mosquitos right now due to wet weather in Northern California. Lots of things are blooming.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well, I looked everywhere there is skin and I don't see anything moving. I might be wrong. Does that look like mites?

We have 5 more chickens (6 in total) and the rest are perfectly fine. I didn't know mosquitos can bite chickens. These spots on legs are so tiny though and the irritated skin on her belly just looks pink, no bumps or anything. We do have mosquitos right now due to wet weather in Northern California. Lots of things are blooming.

Hey... I'm in Nor Cal to!

It's probably not mosquitoes, I was just brain storming possibilities. But yes, they can bite chickens.

Red mites (don't know technical name) do NOT live on the chickens, so you wouldn't see them (depending on type). You would go in several hours after dark and use a white paper towel and rub under the roost because that is where they live. They come out after dark to feed on the chickens. If you see red smears, mites. And they totally bite the legs. Maybe going after the weakest first? Sometimes it will actually stop the birds from going to roost.

Also, during regular daytime handling, I saw NOTHING on my birds. When I went with a flashlight a couple hours after dark and hold them on their back, legs bent towards chest, part feathers starting near the vent and working towards the belly and look with flashlight, saw things running away.... I have girls who hang out for hours on my lap and couldn't find anything. Darkness with a flashlight gave me a new perspective.

Scaly leg mites are completely microscopic, so no matter how hard you try you won't see them. You would only see the evidence of them. I'm just sharing info on this, not indicating that's what I think!

Northern fowl mites do live on the bird as well as several types of lice.

Maybe she got into an ant hill?
It seems as though you are doing a good job paying attention and catching it is key so you can try and figure it out.

 

[LoveChickens867]

Ok, thank you so much for your help. We keep her at home in a box for now. So I will check tonight with a light after a few hours of dark as you said. I will also check their coop. I checked other chickens bellies and they have some redness too when they don't have enough feathers so I think that part is fine. It probably gets irritated when they sit on their bellies. It's the feet and legs that cause her discomfort. I have an appointment to the vet tomorrow but was hoping to avoid taking her to the vet.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ok, thank you so much for your help. We keep her at home in a box for now. So I will check tonight with a light after a few hours of dark as you said. I will also check their coop. I checked other chickens bellies and they have some redness too when they don't have enough feathers so I think that part is fine. It probably gets irritated when they sit on their bellies. It's the feet and legs that cause her discomfort. I have an appointment to the vet tomorrow but was hoping to avoid taking her to the vet.

As I was reading this post, I was also thinking the belly's could be from sitting on it.

Curious to see what the vet says... as so many times their answer is "I dunno"....

But this is a valuable learning experience for me and I thank you for sharing!