Raw all the way up the leg between the scales

[Rayasun]

Hi,
I noticed my rooster started limping three days ago. I thought bumble foot at first but when I was finally able to catch him I noticed just how raw and red his flesh is. No scabbing or open wounds but the redness/rawness is kind of alarming. I soaked his legs in an Epsom salt bath and he really seemed to like it. I also rubbed some antibiotic cream and wrapped his legs till I have a better battle plan. Any ideas would be helpful thank you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure what I'm seeing on your pictures. I do know it's normal for roosters to have a red flushing to their legs as a sign of virility. It tends to be between the toes and runs up the legs. It's more pronounced in spring.

 

[Rayasun]

The top picture is a shot of the top of the knee. The red areas seem to pain him (and the accompanied limp) which doesn't fit the virility angle to me. Though some of the redness could be just that.

 

[azygous]

Recently I had a three-year old rooster with the same condition. Like your boy, he was favoring one leg and was in obvious pain. I looked closely, and I could see a very slight raising of the scales on the front of his shanks. I immediately suspected scaly leg mites, and it can be very painful as these parasites burrow in under the scales.

You've already done the first part of treatment for leg mites - Epsom salt soak. The second part of the treatment is also very simple and inexpensive -slathering castor oil on the scales. This smothers the mites and heals any infection that may be present. Do it again in a week to get any eggs that have hatched.

 

[Eggcessive]

There have been some older threads with the same look on legs. Legs mites are the usual suspected problem, but it seems there is usually something else going on. I am not a vet, but if you try the usual leg mite treatments including weekly soaks, and application of castor oil, vaseline, Crisco, ect, and they don’t help, try a vet to get some steroids. Google or do a BYC search for red raw legs in rooster, for more reading.

 

[azygous]

I was going to mention that another treatment for leg mites that I recently began using is Elector PSP. It's a biological control called spinosad. It comes highly concentrated in an 8oz bottle, and I mix up some in the Epsom salt soak. It's proven extremely effective against leg mites as well as most other parasites such as lice and feather mites. One treatment and that's it. I highly recommend it, but it does carry a rather hefty price tag.

 

[Rayasun]

Thank you azygous and eggcessive! I had treated for mites a month or so ago. I mean, I treated the heck out of everything for mites but those little suckers seemed to have come back. Again I appreciate the help!

 

[azygous]

If your budget permits, this is one of the most effective and long lasting treatments for leg mites I've run across. https://www.amazon.com/Elanco-Elect...F8&qid=1518973247&sr=1-1&keywords=Elector+PSP

It leaves a residue that last for months and discourages the mites from returning. It's non-toxic and organic and works by enzymatic action. The small bottle seems like not much but a half teaspoon in a half gallon of water is all it takes for a soaking solution.

I soak the legs and feet for about ten minutes and that kills all the mites as well as the eggs. One treatment and your chickens are good to go for several months. I reuse the soak water for multiple chickens, so the stuff is really economical when you boil it down.

 

[Rayasun]

I'll add it to my chicken aid box. I'd rather spend the money to kill them effectively than to keep using an ineffective product. Thanks!