Is this scaly leg mites?

[maadroj]

Noticed one of my hens had a swollen leg. I think it's mites. Can you tell? How would you recommend treating it? For now I've coated both legs in oil. The swollen leg is very warm.

Also, how would you prevent this in a large aviary with dirt and mulch floor? I assume if she has it, the others do too, or will soon. Thanks

 

[janiedoe]

I think she may have bumble foot. It looks as if she has a swollen area on the pad of her foot. If so, the infection would account for the warmth in her leg. There are some very good articles on BYC on dealing with bumblefoot.
Most start by soaking in Epsom salt/ warm water.

 

[Silkies for life]

I think she may have bumble foot. It looks as if she has a swollen area on the pad of her foot. If so, the infection would account for the warmth in her leg. There are some very good articles on BYC on dealing with bumblefoot.
Most start by soaking in Epsom salt/ warm water.

I agree here.. It does look like bumble foot and the epsom salt soak should help.

 

[maadroj]

I'm doing salt water baths in case it is bumblefoot, and putting some bacitracin antibiotic cream on the pad. But it looks like just her footpad to me, so I'm also rubbing coconut oil with the hope of asphyxiating, mites if there are any. She sometimes holds the leg up while she's standing but doesn't otherwise appear to favor it.

 

[Chip76]

I don't have any experience with leg mites, but it does look like some of the pictures I saw of them online. Are the scales flakey, scaly, crusty, or peeling back?

One suggestion was to brush the legs with a toothbrush while in the Epsom salt bath. They said you may be able to see the mites floating in the water. Many also recommend oil.

Maybe someone on the chicken forum may be able to tell for sure from the pictures.

 

[maadroj]

I want to think it's getting better.

Edit: these photos are with her leg wet straight from the salt bath.

 

[Chip76]

She is looking better!!

Let me know if you figure out what it was!

 

[maadroj]

Sharing photos after today's Epsom salt soak in case anyone has advice. I'm still not sure what it was, let alone whether she's well enough to rejoin the floak and continue healing on her own or whether she would benefit from continued treatment. Her leg still shows damage, but it could be simply a need for time to heal. Or should we be trying different treatment?

 

[maadroj]

 

[maadroj]

For what it's worth, we treated her for about 12 days and then let her back out with everyone else. I read that it takes ten days to break the scaly leg mites' lifecycle, so we did a few extra days to be safe. It's been about a week since then, and she looks healthy. Fortunately we haven't seen signs of mites on the others. I found an herbal mix that allegedly repels lice and mites. I'm skeptical but scattered it in their favorite hang-out spots in case it helps. Fingers crossed!