Questions about scaly leg mites

[Matzwd]

I have a nine week old pullet with heavily feathered feet who has been limping and lying down a lot. I thought perhaps she had a little sprain, so I let her be. Then, yesterday morning, I happened to be outside when I heard her screaming and all the big girls were after her. I put her in a crate by herself and inspected her feet for the third time and finally saw some blood at the base of a couple of feather follicles on one foot, with a slight tear next to one. Would it be unlikely that she has scaly leg mites at her age? I am completely ignorant of what they look like, but it seems like I've read that older chickens get them??

Anyhow, I brought her in, trimmed a few feathers, and doused her foot with Vetericyn and then patted it dry and slathered it in triple antibiotic ointment then vet wrapped the foot. She is eating and drinking. I put one of her brood mates in the crate with her to sleep last night. She is black and so heavily feathered on her feet that I can barely see anything (the feet themselves) on the tops if them. Is it possible she got a feather hung up on something, or are mites more likely?

 

[azygous]

Do you know the word "scabrous"? That's a good description of scaly legs mites. A light case will be scales separating from the leg instead of remaining flush. Advanced cases will appear scabby, swollen, and blistered as the mite castings exude from beneath the scales.

The cure is slathering on a thick oil or grease after a long soak in Epsom salts to flush away all loose debris. Castor oil is my favorite, but Vaseline or even Crisco will work to smother the mites.

In some cases, infection can occur and an antibiotic is necessary. It's a very painful condition, and not to be considered a minor issue.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

Can you post a picture?

 

[Matzwd]

Can you post a picture?

 

[Matzwd]

I can't even tell where the spot is at this point that was bleeding yesterday. Looked like a follicle between the toes. The foot with the feathers trimmed seems to be the affected foot.

 

[Matzwd]

Do you know the word "scabrous"?

@azygous I didn't, but after looking it up I do. I don't see any scabs.

 

[Matzwd]

She prefers not to walk, but here is a video of what it looks like when.she does. Definitely looks painful.

Also, I'm realizing she has no grasp reflex. Her toes remain straight at all times. Is this a vitamin deficiency? I put Nutri-drench in her water tonight. Perhaps she sustained an injury because she couldn't balance? Please, any input is appreciated.

 

[azygous]

Leg mites are unlikely at her young age. The leg scales usually make a tight seal against the shanks and mites don't find it easy to get under them.

There is a problem feather-footed chickens have and that's ingrown feathers. They can be very painful. Look for any emerging new pin feather that is making a "u" turn and going back into the skin. There's usually inflammation around it. By taking a tweezers and pulling it free, you can release it and then spray Vetericyn on it or put witch hazel on it to soothe it.

Young chickens aren't immune from bumblefoot. Have you looked at her feet for signs of wounds? I had four out of five six-month old Welsummers all with bumblefoot from dismounting a high perch with inadequate bedding under it. (Talk about a guilt trip.) That can make it painful to walk.

Another painful foot condition is when the toe nails break and hang by a thread. Hang nails are just as painful for chickens as they are for us.

 

[Matzwd]

There is a problem feather-footed chickens have and that's ingrown feathers.

Interesting thought here, one I hadn't considered or looked for. She did have a follicle that had a feather coming out properly that was bleeding a tiny bit. I can't tell which one it was now that it's no longer bleeding. I'll check around a little more tomorrow.

Have you looked at her feet for signs of wounds? Yes, but I don't see much of anything other than obvious pain to touch and lack of grasp reflex. Do they tend to get the reflex problem as a result of pain?

Another painful foot condition is when the toe nails break and hang by a thread. Definitely done see this.