feet, VERY red in creases between toes and going up legs

[nursemeh]

Our 6 month old RIR roo (who incidentally we are looking to rehome) has this red coloration on his feet that is worsening over the last week or so.

At first, I assumed it was from getting cold, as we had our first freeze here a couple of weeks ago. Now, the color seems redder over the last few days when the weather has been mild, so I just don't know!

I've searched the archives and am seeing nothing that seems to apply to my specific queries:

First, of all, is this s problem?
Second, if its a problem, what is it and how do I get rid of it?

Our 3 other chickens are 1 buff Orpington and 2 Black Australorps. They two with black feet look fine. The buff orpington has light tan feet that look fine.

The RIR roo has yellow feet and this red, bright RED coloration in all the creases and it kind of travels up the leg scales. It just looks like something "inflamed" to me, just doesn't look "right."

No one in our tiny flock has any lifted/rough feet scales, swollen feet, nothing that would indicate a mite problem.

Any helpful advice or knowledge from someone experienced with normal RIR feet coloration, I appreciate it!!

Mary

 

[speckledhen]

It's normal for a maturing rooster. My Barred Rock has that, as does my Delaware. If you post a picture, maybe someone can tell you if it's more than that, but I bet it's normal coloration.

 

[Overeasyplz]

I was thinking the same thing, I've seen it before in healthy birds. Mom had a buff orp roo that had read streaks. It was very vivid, and he had them forever. he wasn't sick or mite-y or anything. A reptile throwback, I dare to venture

 

[nursemeh]

wow!
thanks, for the quick answers, that is so reassuring!

 

[azygous]

I'm new here, only a couple weeks, now, and this was the topic of my first post! I have a six month old SLW roo named Stan. Seems just all of a sudden his legs became screaming red! Like your situation, it coincided with an extreme cold spell. I was fearful he had chapped legs or worse, so I put vaseline on them.

The responses I got telling me it was no cause for worry - it was just hormones- immediately reassured me. That was it! Stan had only recently discovered sex. Since then, his legs seem to revert to nearly the original yellow after he's been allowed to enjoy the company of his hens.

This is such a super place to get quick, good information! I sure wish I'd known about it this last summer when my Buff Orpington Connie got sick, became completely incapacitated, and I had to put her down. I think these guys here might have come up with something to save her.

 

[Tala]

Happened to my RIR roo too, and I kinda freaked, but it seems perfectly normal. Part of maturing.