How to confront friend with diseased hens? Help!

[Anna-MN]

I went to visit a friend of mine today who has a flock of mostly bantams, a few standard egg layers, and two roosters. She got the original 3 bantam hens and 1 standard rooster about a year and a half ago and they were beautiful when she got them.Then her broodies hatched a few chicks and they got a few others from friends. I don't think they practice any form of quarantine with new animals on their farm, which concerns me since I also have poultry. Their animals also aren't vaccinated. I have always worn older clothes when I go there and try my best not to go outside near any of their animals. I also wash EVERYTHING when I get home to try not to spread anything lurking.

The last time I was at her house, about six months ago, I had noticed on one of her hens had a few bumps and rough looking legs but didn't think anything of it. I went there today to see their new steers and noticed every single hen had dry, bumpy, and rough skin. SCALY LEG! Her one rooster's feet look so awful- they were bleeding when I picked him up to take a closer look. One of her chicks hatched last fall can't even walk on her one leg and just hobbles from place to place. They think the dog got it but didn't see it happen and it doesn't have any history of being violent to the birds. Their toes are deformed and just look so bad. She told me that the chicks were "born this way" but I know that isn't true for a fact. All of her birds are totally free ranged and I understand that this can happen to anyone. This is her first flock ever and the only information she gets on care is from the feed store and the internet when she can get it. How do I kindly bring it up to her that her birds are suffering without sounding like a know it all or rude? I know I need to say something for her animal's welfare and for the sake of my flock if somehow it gets transferred. I just don't know how to even bring it up to her. So here are my questions to all of you---

-How do I bring up the scaly leg to her politely?
- How can she treat it?


Thank you!!!

 

[Chick Charm]

You - "Your chickens have scaly legs. You need to treat those asap so those chickens"
Them - "What is scaly legs. BLAH BLAH BLAH"

You - "Great job on not vaccinating your chickens. They will be able to pass on a much stronger gene pool to fight diseases that effect the little chicks"
Them - "Really"

You - "Your rooster needs some attention. His legs are bleeding. They need to be cleaned and maybe wrapped up"
Them - "Ok"
You - "Some of these chickens are badly deformed. They need to be fixed up or maybe even culled"
Them - "They were born like that. They are ok."
You - "NO they are not ok. And these deformities should have been address when they were little chicks. They are in bad shape. BLAH BLAH BLAH"


Something like that. Maybe.

PHIL

 

[Mtn Laurel]

"Are you aware your chickens have scaly leg mites?"

She may be totally unaware that it's not a normal condition and may appreciate your help. Tell her what it is and give her some direction on how to cure it. I'm guessing she'll thank you for your help.