Mites or something?

[ManWithChicks]

I feel like I have non stop issues. Does this look like mites? Something else? If it mites what can I do? They have been outside for maybe 3 weeks, and its a brand new coop with diatamaceous earth, clean, etc.

 

[ManWithChicks]

Also, they always seem to have poop on their feet. I clean, but they just walk right into the fresh stuff. Is this normal? lol

 

[ManWithChicks]

should I cover the ground of their run with something, or is dirt ok?

 

[Shezadandy]

I feel like I have non stop issues. Does this look like mites? Something else? If it mites what can I do? They have been outside for maybe 3 weeks, and its a brand new coop with diatamaceous earth, clean, etc. View attachment 1938515

Are you talking about the light colored kind of oval shaped things that are easier to see in the smaller photo like between her toes? Approximately where are you located- that might help someone familiar with your area chime in. I've not seen whatever that is. If it's lice or mites, (and I'm not sure having not seen whatever this is before--- do check the rest of her body) - this article gives a good rundown of treatment and what to use and where to treat (i.e. roosts, nest boxes, all the birds and so on)

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

As a side note- if you have dog or cat nail trimmers (the $5 variety), I would give this girl a little nail trim. You should be able to see where the "quick" is with her light nail color - I usually just take it the "hook" on the ends off using the little scissor trimmers like these which offer a lot of control and precision. When I'm done, the tip of the nail doesn't push the rest of the nail up at the end, and I try to trim back any nail that looks like it's starting to twist. Also handy to have on hand for beak tip trims.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Professi...ess-Steel-Scissors-for-Animals-Cats/199308097

To do the trim, I pick the bird up and lay her on her left side (if you're right handed, lay her on her left side), then I hold her feet with my left hand, and clip the nails with my right hand. This allows me to put gentle pressure across the side of her body with my left forearm at the same time I'm holding her feet. Or, you can wrap her like a burrito in a towel, just make sure the feet are hanging out the bottom.

.... And yes, they celebrate imminent human contact by walking through the nastiest cecal (the reallllly dark smooth creamy... realllllly stinky stuff) poop they can see. The fresher the better. The lighter the color of your shirt, the better.

 

[coach723]

I don't see anything that looks like mites, the leg scales may be a little dry, but normally they will be very raised with mites. You can use some coconut oil or castor oil on the legs and feet which will help the dryness and would help smother any mite that might be there. (Dirt will stick to the oil, nothing to worry about).
And walking through droppings is normal, they go where they stand and they walk through it all the time. My covered run is dirt with pine shavings, my open run is dirt and grass. If it's really, really messy then you may have too many birds for the space they are in. The larger the space, the more spread out it is and the less mess accumulating in a small space. The smaller the space, the more cleaning will be necessary.

 

[Shezadandy]

I don't see anything that looks like mites, the leg scales may be a little dry, but normally they will be very raised with mites. You can use some coconut oil or castor oil on the legs and feet which will help the dryness and would help smother any mite that might be there. (Dirt will stick to the oil, nothing to worry about).

After I saved that picture to my computer and zoomed in a lot more, you're right, it does look like dry scales. X2 on oiling the legs- won't hurt anything.

 

[ManWithChicks]

Yeah, the first photo is my boy, and the 2nd photo is one of the pullets. Her inner toes are kinda bent under, I think its becasue she had all kinds of issues when young, and I didnt realize that my tape booties didnt fully fix her until I moved her out of the brooder. I meant to post a 3rd photo, that I think is more obvious. Let me see if I can get it uploaded.

 

[Shezadandy]

Yeah, the first photo is my boy, and the 2nd photo is one of the pullets. Her inner toes are kinda bent under, I think its becasue she had all kinds of issues when young, and I didnt realize that my tape booties didnt fully fix her until I moved her out of the brooder. I meant to post a 3rd photo, that I think is more obvious. Let me see if I can get it uploaded.View attachment 1938808

You did a good job! If you give her periodic toenail trims, that will help her quite a bit. I've got a rooster whose middle toes start to do a cork-screw kinda thing if I let them go too long. Some wear them down naturally and some just keep on growing- they always seem to walk a little better afterwards.

 

[ManWithChicks]

You did a good job! If you give her periodic toenail trims, that will help her quite a bit. I've got a rooster whose middle toes start to do a cork-screw kinda thing if I let them go too long. Some wear them down naturally and some just keep on growing- they always seem to walk a little better afterwards.

Thanks! I will trim, never done before, but I've watched videos. Looks easy enough.

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions. I plan to try what was suggested.