Hens with pink feet

[jtrknit]

Hope some one has some insight for me! I noticed this morning that my matriarch Light Brahma has pink in between her toes. Then I noticed that my Rhode Island Red does, also. The scales don't seem to be raised, they don't seem to be limping, any ideas? I only have two other hens and their feet seem just the same as always.

 

[Eggcessive]

This is normal in healthy chickens. Mine typically have pink or red legs when they are in their prime time of the year for breeding. The roosters have this also.

 

[jtrknit]

Thanks! That is what I was hoping someone would say. They are all seemingly healthy and are laying up a storm--the pinkness just appeared today (or I just noticed it!) so I wanted to get a jump on it if it was a negative thing.

 

[SDChickMom]

I just wanted to say thanks! I noticed my RIR matriarch with pink feet and started freaking. We have had some problems with other chickens so I feel hyper alert on them. At least this one wasn't something to worry about.

 

[blackwpk]

I have a RIR hen, 3yrs old, that started getting pink feet, too. She seems fine other than the weird color on her feet. She isn't laying and just recently lost one of her sisters, so she is losing some feathers. What is this? What can I do to help her out??? PLEASE RESPOND!

 

[coach723]

I have a RIR hen, 3yrs old, that started getting pink feet, too. She seems fine other than the weird color on her feet. She isn't laying and just recently lost one of her sisters, so she is losing some feathers. What is this? What can I do to help her out??? PLEASE RESPOND!

At 3 years old laying is going to start slowing down. I don't see a location for you, but for most of us this is the time of year for molt, which would cause the feather loss and slowing or stopping of laying. They can't make eggs and feathers at the same time usually. If she's molting then you will find pin feathers coming in, and laying may resume once feather regrowth is complete. Increasing the protein in the feed can help with feather growth. If you are feeding layer feed you can switch to a flock raiser or grower that has 18 -20% protein, just be sure to offer oyster shell all the time in a separate feeder so they can get the calcium they need, they will take what they need. She may not really lay well again until spring when the daylight hours are longer, the time off can vary greatly depending on breed, age, and individual bird genetics. If she seems fine otherwise, then that's my guess as to what is going on.

 

[blackwpk]

Thank you so much for replying coach723, I appreciate it. Does the molting cause the pinkness on the feet, too? I am beginning to wonder if changing the brand of pine shavings is bothering her, maybe she's allergic to this brand? It started when I put the new brand down a few days back. Her feet seem to bother her. There isn't any Bumblefoot, just the pink between the toes, not on the bottom. I'm worried, HELP!!

 

[coach723]

Hormonal changes can cause pinkness or redness in the feet and legs. Can you post a picture of the feet in question? What is she doing that suggests they are bothering her? Limping? Any signs of scaly leg mites? Certainly changing shavings back to what you had before could rule those in or out as a cause, but it also could be unrelated and just coincidence.

 

[blackwpk]

I can certainly try to get a picture. With her moulting she hates being picked up although I manage to to check her feet. No scaly mites present, just pink between the toes. I will try for the picture in a little while, they are just getting around and feeding.

 

[blackwpk]

Okay, here is a pic. I'm worried about my girl!