Leg problem on one of my girls

[Katybell06]

I was wondering if anyone had any information and advice on the leg problem found on one of my hens yesterday? I've been researching leg problems online but can't seem to find anything that looks the same ?

Thanks
Kate

 

[Cluck-a-lot]

Dear Kate,
I think I would isolate her immediately as it looks like a mite problem and could be passed over if this is the case.
Poor wee thing. I have copied an article for you which I think will help.
A visit to your Vet will hopefully get you some Ivomec which is given in the form of a dropper to put onto the bird's skin. This attacks the mite through the blood stream and does work. I also use a solution of surgical spirit which I brush well into the scales to try and penetrate were the mite are buried. This is much more difficult than it sounds so I then let the leg dry for a few minutes and then coat the whole leg with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and rub this well into the legs. The idea of this second treatment is to hopefully help to suffocate any insects you may have missed, it also helps to soften the scales and helps the regrowth process. The treatment will take quite some time to get results and will need repeating several times but eventually the scales will come off and new replacements will grow. Do not pull off the old scales as this will cause bleeding and infection.

The length of time it takes to eradicate the mite does vary from bird to bird and this is due to how badly affected the birds are. There will be a need to repeat the treatment several times to make sure that you kill the mite, the problem is that any insects which are missed will just breed and the they will reappear after just a few weeks.

Do hope this will help you. Best of luck!

 

[rebrascora]

I agree, it appears to be a bad case of scaly leg mite where some of the most badly affected scales have been knocked or pecked off. There are various treatments for scaly leg mite as research will show you.... take your pick..... but it will take time and regular treatment to get on top of it. New scales take time to grow.
Good luck

 

[Katybell06]

Thank you both so much for such a fast response. I have now isolated her in a clean stable and covered her legs in Vaseline (I couldn't get anything else on her!). I'm waiting for a call back from the vets to get the ivomec and hopefully this will make her feels a bit more comfortable!