Please help me Help my little guy!

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I hope your chick recovers soon. He is adorable. What breed is he?

 

[Mbart83]

I hope your chick recovers soon. He is adorable. What breed is he?

Thanks me too!! He’s the best! He just sits there while we soak his feet, even when I dry him with hair dryer! Too cute!

He is an English Orpington - they are so pretty!!! Looking for any docile roosters?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I would love a rooster but sadly my town doesn’t allow roosters. I’ve already had to rehome a Light Brahma rooster, a black silkie rooster, & a golden sebright rooster.

 

[Sassysouth]

I am a big believer in Epsom Salt soaks in between treatments.

 

[Mbart83]

Ok- I am at a loss....I have been doing daily soaks in warm water- warm water with Epson salt and then warm water...fully drying ...applying castor oil with paint brush on legs and and feet to make sure no spot goes uncovered....also have applied bag balm....seems like he is slightly better, then worse- like his flesh is rotting or something- idk! He is eating and drinking fine- he did have more watery poop, like I would call diarrhea - but now it’s more mushy than watery. The pictures attached are from 5pm est today Tuesday 12/5- after soaking for 10 mins. He does walk in it but lumps and often holds it up and cries...please help! I am so sad for him! Thanks everyone who has been following and advising!!!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I hope he gets better really soon

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I have no experience yet with scaly leg mites, but I can say from experience that often part of the healing process is swelling, and when chicken legs swell the scales loosen and come off.

You can do epsom salt soaks for ten minutes, three times a day if you'd like. I wouldn't bother with warm water soaks in addition to the epsom salt. Just do the salt soaks. The healing power of epsom salts is awesome, but you may see an increase in redness during the healing process, which I know is quite alarming.

The toe nails look healthy and pink, and she's able to bend and use her toes and feet without any problems?

One of the natural treatments I used that really turned things around was turmeric extract from a health food store. I would drip it on his legs, a few drops at a time. It saturates the leg and gets between the scales and underneath. Turmeric has an array of powerful benefits, including reduction in swelling.

You could also create a strong tea from turmeric powder and soak his foot. Expect a very orange hen and staining on towels.

 

[azygous]

Yes, he's greatly improved. Except in a couple of spots where he's much worse.

I know that sounds contradictory, but it appears that he's going to lose at least one toe. That's what happens when toes get very badly infected. Probably those spots were already at the point of no return when you began his treatment for leg mites.

Notice those black spots. That's tissue necrosis. I see at least one toe that probably is going to fall off. Not to worry about it. His immune system is walling off the bad tissue from the good so he won't suffer a systemic infection. Chickens have a very dandy ability to jettison extremities that no longer are viable. He'll be fine.

Don't stop his daily soaks and treatment until he's completely healed, even as he loses a toe.

 

[micstrachan]

Look at the feet and legs of the other chicks. If you see the slightest separation of scales from being tightly flush, then you need to treat any whose legs and feet are showing this. If they all look normal, then you may skip treating them.

Wait, really? If they scales are even slightly lifted they probably have scaly leg mites? OMG.

 

[azygous]

One thing I would suggest you add to this chick's treatment is Vetericyn. It can be found at almost all feed stores in the animal meds section. It helps promote tissue growth while helping to curb infection. I would spray it on after his feet are dry following his soak. Let completely dry before doing the castor oil treatment.