Limping and misshapen toenail

[jeanineyoder]

My chicken started limping yesterday. We noticed her toenail is pointing up and looks dead. I don’t know what to do. I have placed her in the garage away from the other chickens. She is 10 months old.

 

[sourland]

Is there a possibility that her foot was frozen/frost bitten ?

 

[jeanineyoder]

No. We’re in California.

 

[ManedWolf]

No. We’re in California.

My chicken started limping yesterday. We noticed her toenail is pointing up and looks dead. I don’t know what to do. I have placed her in the garage away from the other chickens. She is 10 months old.

My best guess is leg mites, her scales look raised and scaly (especially on that toe). You can use oil to smother the mites.

 

[jeanineyoder]

The ball of her foot is a little swollen and tender. I don’t see any injury or oozing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The ball of her foot is a little swollen and tender. I don’t see any injury or oozing.

Hard to tell in the photos, but I agree, it looks like she may have SLM. The article below will show you how to treat those.

Swelling and tenderness is a concern and may indicate infection in the foot. You can try soaking in epsom salts to see if that helps reduce swelling. If it continues, then seeking vet care would be good.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/treating-scaly-leg-mites-slm-what-you-need-to-know.77376/