Could scaly leg mites cause limping?

[MelissaRose]

Hello,

I have a hen who just started limping and I'm not sure why. I looked at her feet and she does have raised scales so I put Vaseline on her legs to kill scaly leg mites in case she has those. I couldn't find anything else wrong with her. I did feel her legs and her leg joint seemed to bother her a little but I didn't see any signs of injury. She kinda of runs when she moves and then lays on the ground for a bit and does it again. But she can get around to eat and drink.

She's also missing most of her tail feathers and a lot of her wing feathers where I drew the red line in the picture. I'm not sure why. It could be the other chickens picking on her, but I don't think they would pick off that many feathers. It looks like when you clip a chickens wings but we have not done that recently.

Five or so birds have already died from what I'm guessing was mareks, but not for a few months. She is a Light Brahma and shes about a year old.

A vet is not an option right now.

Thanks for any help, I can take pictures and a video if that would be helpful.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Yes, scaly leg mites can cause limping. Pictures would definitely help, of the legs and the feathers both. Have you checked her over really good for mites or other pests? What do you feed them? How many chickens do you have, and how big is their coop/run?

 

[MelissaRose]

Ok, I can take some pictures.

I didn't notice any mites or lice, but I will check again. There are 20 chickens in the coop and run and they can go outside (not in their run) whenever they want during the day so it's not like their crowded.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[gunslinger33]

Are your birds large or too heavy for their body? Is your roost bar too high ( if they are chubby)? What do they land on coming off of the roost? Do you have a very heavy rooster that isn't gentle?

 

[MelissaRose]

I don't think so. It's only her that is limping. They don't seem to have trouble getting up and the roost, but this hen does sleep on the ground now. I do have a rooster but he's an average size rooster, and I don't think he's rough with them.

Edited to say she is a Light Brahma, so she's not small, but I don't think she's too large or heavy for her body.

 

[gunslinger33]

Have you checked got bumble foot

 

[gunslinger33]

Checked for

 

[MelissaRose]

Well I rubbed Vaseline on her feet and I didn't see any signs of it. I'll check again.

Update: She seems to be doing better today. It looks like its easier for her to walk and shes not trying to run and then sitting and doing it again.

 

[gunslinger33]

Probably landed wrong coming off the roost. You might want to add to your substrate under the roost where they land.

I’ve had a couple with similar symptoms and over time they all were fine. I do have a couple of chunky girls

 

[MelissaRose]

Ok. I'm going to keep watching her but I think she'll probably recover.

Thanks for your help!