Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[FluffyButt789]

I recommend a soak in warm, soapy, Epsom salt water for about 15-20 minutes. Then, just in case it is scaly leg mites, use an old toothbrush, soapy water with a little peppermint, trea tree, and/or eucalyptus essential oil mixed in and scrub her legs. Then dry and coat with Vaseline. This method has worked miracles on birds that I've gotten that had them

Sounds like I'll be doing that tomorrow. If it is scaly leg mites, I'll be busy treating them all

How smooth are chickens legs supposed to be? I know they have very smooth legs when they are young, but are they supposed to remain super smooth as they get older? Our chickens don't appear to have raised scales, but if I run my finger up their legs, I can feel my skin catch on some of the edges of the scales. Idk how else to describe that lol

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Sounds like I'll be doing that tomorrow. If it is scaly leg mites, I'll be busy treating them all

How smooth are chickens legs supposed to be? I know they have very smooth legs when they are young, but are they supposed to remain super smooth as they get older? Our chickens don't appear to have raised scales, but if I run my finger up their legs, I can feel my skin catch on some of the edges of the scales. Idk how else to describe that lol

like a fish scale..that is how mine feel...haven't done it in awhile to be honest though.
smooth going down a bit 'catchy' on the way up..not crazy, just a bit..hahaha, there, that about explains it for you! ..geesh, i am sorry, i am tired.

 

[FluffyButt789]

It was bugging me too much so I went out and got the pictures. The two pictures are of the same chicken with the bad leg - nasty looking scabs. Then one picture of a different chicken to show the slightly raised scales. Tell me if the scales look normal? And what to do with those scabs? Thanks so much!

 

[emorems0]

I forgot how quickly this group moves! Congrats on Nugget! Mulch is brilliant... I'll have to remember that as I re-build my runs.

Right now I'm working on putting together a replacement coop since I tore down the (very unsecured) turkey shed. I picked up a very faded plastic playhouse that is the exact size of a standard pallet. Finally getting around to figuring out how to secure it all and install nest boxes, etc. My current conundrum is roosts... I think this arrangement will work but I'd love your opinions. I'm going to add the pictures from my phone, hopefully it will let me edit, if not they'll be in a new post.

Basically, they run the long way, lower roost will be just at/below the level of the nest boxes, upper one will be about 3/4 of the way up the run door. My concerns are having enough clearance between the top roost and the roof while also not blocking the entry to the the run. Since it's just a small coop, I feel like I need the second, lower roost as a step up since they don't have the clearance to 'fly' up like they would in my big coop (also, it's good to have a something level to the nest boxes so they can see in there).

How far apart should the roosts be at a minimum? It's only about 40" wide.. so, 10 inches from the sides would put a 20 inch gap between the roosts, reasonable? *Window on the door side is where the nest boxes will be, window opposite the door is to the run, side windows will have hardware cloth (and keeping shutters that can close). These are not the boards I'll be using, just scraps that happened to fit while I make my plans

Looking at the run door (the open window)

Looking toward the future nest box entry (the closed window)

Looking into the coop from the run door

Looking into the coop from the nest box door *this one will be slightly lower than the nest boxes, rather than a little higher

 

[emorems0]

It was bugging me too much so I went out and got the pictures. The two pictures are of the same chicken with the bad leg - nasty looking scabs. Then one picture of a different chicken to show the slightly raised scales. Tell me if the scales look normal? View attachment 1682571

I have no experience with scaly leg mites or leg wounds like that, but I'd say the other chickens legs look normal. Sounds like you've gotten good advice on treatment.

 

[FluffyButt789]

I forgot how quickly this group moves! Congrats on Nugget! Mulch is brilliant... I'll have to remember that as I re-build my runs.

Right now I'm working on putting together a replacement coop since I tore down the (very unsecured) turkey shed. I picked up a very faded plastic playhouse that is the exact size of a standard pallet. Finally getting around to figuring out how to secure it all and install nest boxes, etc. My current conundrum is roosts... I think this arrangement will work but I'd love your opinions. I'm going to add the pictures from my phone, hopefully it will let me edit, if not they'll be in a new post.

Basically, they run the long way, lower roost will be just at/below the level of the nest boxes, upper one will be about 3/4 of the way up the run door. My concerns are having enough clearance between the top roost and the roof while also not blocking the entry to the the run. Since it's just a small coop, I feel like I need the second, lower roost as a step up since they don't have the clearance to 'fly' up like they would in my big coop (also, it's good to have a something level to the nest boxes so they can see in there).

How far apart should the roosts be at a minimum? It's only about 40" wide.. so, 10 inches from the sides would put a 20 inch gap between the roosts, reasonable? *Window on the door side is where the nest boxes will be, window opposite the door is to the run, side windows will have hardware cloth (and keeping shutters that can close). These are not the boards I'll be using, just scraps that happened to fit while I make my plans
View attachment 1682579
Looking at the run door (the open window)

View attachment 1682582
Looking toward the future nest box entry (the closed window)

View attachment 1682583
Looking into the coop from the run door

View attachment 1682584
Looking into the coop from the nest box door *this one will be slightly lower than the nest boxes, rather than a little higher

How many chickens do you have, and are they large or bantam? My suggestion is to put nesting boxes in that are accessible through the side, not the top. That way the nesting boxes have a solid piece of wood across the top. That can then be the poop board, and you can put just one perch above the nesting boxes, or no perch at all, and they'll just sit on top of the wood above the nesting boxes. In a small area like that, simpler may be better? They'll have a bit more flapping room.

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

okay, I am not a professional vet, just have to disclaimer there, but that looks like/close to the stuff we have been looking at, leg mites. I am sorry, but I am also not there to be hands on either.
Looks like some scales are actually missing and replaced with scabs. Got some lifting there too.
It is late..not much going to happen overnight.
I know you are upset & worried.
To tell you the complete & honest truth, if she were mine, considering what time it is, I would, at most, separate her from the rest.
Or, just wait till the AM, get a good nights sleep and deal with this tomorrow. You will have enough to do then.
But..that is just a suggestion...my opinion, some might think it a gast, horrible. It looks like this has been happening, whatever it is, for a little while.
Whatever you decide, try to look over the rest really well tomorrow, in good light, and see where you should go from there with your flock.
We do know one thing for sure, if it is leg mites, it is not at the levels some of the horrible photos were, my gosh!..she will not pass away from THIS overnight.
I wish you much luck in tending to this.
If you need more information/help/support, others who have had to personally deal with this or just a little more will be available tomorrow I am sure.
@Auroradream26 & @BullChick gave some very good info. tonight. Can make great use of that!

 

[emorems0]

How many chickens do you have, and are they large or bantam? My suggestion is to put nesting boxes in that are accessible through the side, not the top. That way the nesting boxes have a solid piece of wood across the top. That can then be the poop board, and you can put just one perch above the nesting boxes, or no perch at all, and they'll just sit on top of the wood above the nesting boxes. In a small area like that, simpler may be better? They'll have a bit more flapping room.

Nest boxes will be on the OUTSIDE of the coop, definitely not taking up space inside, they'll be mounted to the window but completely outside of the coop. Unless I'm not reading your comment correctly. *like the attached picture, this is another little coop I built on a pallet base.

I have full size birds, this will be a breeding coop for like 1 rooster and 2 or 3 hens... or a temp grow out pen between brooder age and tractor age.

So if I just put a bigger ledge in front of the nest box window I could eliminate the lower roost. I think that would work. It took me a few minutes re-reading your comment to get the visual.

 

[emorems0]

Here's a finished example of what I'm trying to do... nest box on the outside to maximize floor space since it's a small coop. It will be attached to a much larger run though and the nest box will be bigger and maximize all of the space from the corner to the door frame so the shutter are fully covered.

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Here's a finished example of what I'm trying to do... nest box on the outside to maximize floor space since it's a small coop. It will be attached to a much larger run though and the nest box will be bigger and maximize all of the space from the corner to the door frame so the shutter are fully covered.

great idea & re purposing!
@FluffyButt789 has good ideas, keeping it simple with little inside space might be better. One root bar if only a couple of full sized birds, closer to bottom. Might also help keep them from any drafts coming in through play-windows?...just a thought, never converted a play house before.
I really like your pallet coop, looks roomy.

@FluffyButt789 , How goes the leg issue?