Lame/Peeling Leg?

[TheBrumstead]

3 days ago, I separated my Ayam Cemani, Cinder, from the flock because she was limping. I've been checking her feet twice daily and there is no sign of bumblefoot. Today, I took her out so she could get some grass, and noticed her lame leg looks like it's peeling. I was hoping it was just a sprain, but now I'm wondering if it's scaly leg mites. I've never seen it before, but know you use vaseline to get rid of it.

First pic is her resting stance, when she walks, she puts it way out in front, then steps down. No heat in her leg, no sign of break/fracture, she stretches out her toes, pulls them back in, not much grip. Second is a closer up of the leg.

Thoughts?

 

[ChikNCoop]

Following. Anyone have any experience with this? My roo started limping 3 days ago. Also not bumblefoot.

 

[azygous]

The scales do appear a bit raised. Could be the start of scaly leg mite. But it may be coincidental to the lameness. While scaly leg mite can cause pain and discomfort, it's usually after it becomes quite bad.

Have you checked your premises for any machinery sitting around leaking oil or hydraulic fluid? I've had hens go lame from ingesting grit contaminated by hydraulic fluid. It's a neuro toxin as poisonous as insect spray. Or have you treated for ants around where the chickens roam? I look for that as a source of the lameness rather than scaly leg mite.

If you can get hold of some spinosad (it's in kids hair lice treatments) it works even faster and more thoroughly to kill scaly leg mites than Vaseline or oils. I put it in a basin of water and let the chicken do a nice long warm soak in it. Once again in a week, and the mites are gone for good and the scales grow back incredibly fast.

 

[ChikNCoop]

NuStock works great for scaly leg mites!

 

[TheBrumstead]

Have you checked your premises for any machinery sitting around leaking oil or hydraulic fluid?

They don't free range. The closest they've come to any machinery is the zero turn mower once a week, and it's moving so they don't have access.

 

[azygous]

Ruling out neuro toxin poisoning, then you might address the lameness as a vitamin deficiency. Try giving a B complex and E. If that's the cause, you should see improvement in a week or two.

With lameness, it's nearly impossible to diagnose the cause. It can be anything from a slight sprain or bruise to avian gout or virus tumors.