PLEASE HELP with identifying swollen mass in chicken's left leg!

[Carlton5280]

Thanks all for the advice! I live in Denver and it is pretty dry here, also. Will change out the bedding but I don't think it is scaly leg mites. Her scales on her legs are being pushed out from the infection, resembling scaly leg mite. That is the first thing I thought it was. Yes she has mud on her feet. That picture was after a quick snow and melt. Going to treat with Epsom and tea tree soaking. Thanks, again!

 

[fergyc2l2t316]

Please keep us updated as to her healing is. I really want to know. I get so attached to my chickens and others on BYC also like to know how well the chicken is doing.
Good Luck
Let us know if you need anything else as well.

 

[rbaker0345]

I agree with Dawg, that's a really bad case of scaly leg mites. I recently rescued four hens who looked similar. I gave them ivermectin orally, then I soaked their feed in that Flock Protector by Manna Pro diluted with warm water for the "severe infestation" dosage and then I rubbed lavender and eucalyptus oil (tea tree is fungicidal and lavender is miticidal- I think). Then I slathered the whole thing with vaseline. It took awhile (I did this every other day- the soaking and the oils- not the ivermectin) but they had really pretty legs by the time I gave them to my friend. And all-the-while I'm soaking and oiling these chickens feet, I'm thinking about how I never get to get a pedicure but my chickens do.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thanks all for the advice! I live in Denver and it is pretty dry here, also. Will change out the bedding but I don't think it is scaly leg mites. Her scales on her legs are being pushed out from the infection, resembling scaly leg mite. That is the first thing I thought it was. Yes she has mud on her feet. That picture was after a quick snow and melt. Going to treat with Epsom and tea tree soaking. Thanks, again!

Epsom salts soaks are great to use as long as the chicken does not get chilled. But tea tree oil can be toxic in chickens if used undiluted. Applying some castor oil or vaseline to the legs once a week would not be harmful, just in case it is leg mites. Viral or bacterial arthritis as well as mycoplasma synoviae (MS) can cause joint swelling of the ankles and hocks. Here are a few links to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/99/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-ms-infectious-synovitis
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...infectious_skeletal_disorders_in_poultry.html
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/viral_arthritis/overview_of_viral_arthritis_in_poultry.html

 

[Michael Apple]

The only natural antibiotic that I know of is Grapefruit Seed Extract. It is found in some health food stores. I haven't used it to treat infection, only to sterilize things. I have read that it kills bacteria on contact. If you can't find it or don't want to try it, get other antibiotic ASAP.

Grapefruit seed extract is not an antibiotic. The antimicrobial action was found to be attributed to synthetic preservatives used during the extraction process.
Where grapefruit seed extract is a fairly potent antioxidant, it is not an antibiotic.

 

[rbaker0345]

Thanks for that info on Tea Tree Oil. The stuff I get is already diluted (I get it from the ethnic hair section at the dollar store), but if I ever use the pure oil, I will definitely keep that in mind.

Lavender, eucalyptis and lemongrass or lemon verbena are all safe for chickens though, aren't they? I know that you can use them to help with treatment for lice or mites in humans (not as a sole treatment but as an extra punch).

Oregano oil is supposed to be a really good antibiotic, is this safe for chickens?

 

[fergyc2l2t316]

How is your girl doing? Getting any better?