Large lumps all over hens legs

[ClucksAndCombs]

Hello,

I have a hen who I found today had some lumps all over her legs. I’m pretty sure it’s not bumblefoot, since it’s on the leg itself, so I was curious of what it is. Hen is currently in molt and is older (4). I haven’t seen anything like hers before and google images weren’t helpful. It’s almost on the joints and more like soft tissue. I haven’t noticed this lumps earlier so I don’t know how old they are.

She shows no pain or unusual activity. Preening, normal stool, eating fine.

Photos are attached

Thank you!

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Here are some more pictures.

 

[Chicka_deee]

I might be wrong but it looks close to ‘Bumble Foot’

@Eggcessive ???

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I might be wrong but it looks close to ‘Bumble Foot’

@Eggcessive ???

But then there’s those bumps by her “knee”...

Currently reading this article.

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks to be a bacterial joint infection called mycoplasma synovitis (MS.) MS is contagious and she may be the only chicken in your flock showing symptoms. Does she have a scab or breast blister near her breast bone? Does she limp or lie around, or has she stopped roosting? She also has a case of scaly leg mites where the scales are slightly raised.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are 2 articles to read about MS, and a 3rd about treatment of acaly leg mites:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-m-s-infectious-synovitis

https://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/animal-disease-faq/mycoplasma-synoviae

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/scaly-leg-mites

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

That looks to be a bacterial joint infection called mycoplasma synovitis (MS.) MS is contagious and she may be the only chicken in your flock showing symptoms. Does she have a scab or breast blister near her breast bone? Does she limp or lie around, or has she stopped roosting? She also has a case of scaly leg mites where the scales are slightly raised.

Thank you so much for replying. She was not limping last I saw her and I haven't seen her being lethargic. In the morning, I'll check if she has a scab.

I feel a bit helpless if my flock has MS. It seems that I can't really treat it, and some of the hens can "recover", but others won't.

 

[Eggcessive]

Personally, I would just close your flock to new birds, and do not sell eggs or chickens, or give away birds. Eggs are perfectly safe to eat. MS is very hard to treat with antibiotics. I have never treated it, but first, it might be good to get some testing done to confirm that MS is definitely what the chicken has. You could also cull this one chicken, and send the refrigerated body into your state vet for a necropsy to confirm it. Once all chickens and other fowl are gone eventually, MS only remains alive in your environment for several days. Even though other hens may not get the symptoms, the whole flock can be considered carriers. Chlortetracycline has been used in the past in feed to help control the disease, but most over the counter antibiotic use has stopped. I am sorry that you are dealing with this, but there is no need to cull your flock, according to some of the articles I read. Here is a list of state poultry vets that you can speak to about what to do, and to ask about cost for a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[micstrachan]

Was this hen fed layer feed before she was laying age? I’m wondering if gout would be another possibility.