rooster has foot pecking issues

[panache1of2]

I'm not sure what caused the initial foot problem but everytime he gets a little better/healed
he just pecks his toes open again

We call him Sebastian since we rescued him hes always been a little wobbly and has had reoccurring foot problems. We have been cleaning the area with chlorhexidine and putting some betadine on it but like I said he gets better then starts over.

Hes overall a very healthy little silkie with a voracious appetite. He's doing his rooster duties and supplies fertile eggs for the incubator but until we can get him back to 100% im quarantining him on my screened porch. Tough life I know.

any suggestions or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Im a longtime reader new byc member.

 

[Green Beans]

I'm also dealing with a rooster whose foot is being pecked at. I'm at a loss since each time I get him healed it starts all over again. any advice would help. tractor supply sells something called peck no more. I'm going to try this first thing tomorrow.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I suspect that you may be dealing with scaley leg mite. The mites get in under the scales on the legs and suck blood. I have a roo that always alerts me to these mites , by spending a great proportion of his day pecking at his toes. Once a bird draws blood it will continue to peck at it. I would suggest spraying the feet with an antiseptic spray, wait for the skin to heal a little and then apply a good thick coat of Vaseline to smother the mites. Cetrigen antiseptic spray is a good one for the first aid box and I keep Terramycin ( pink eye ) antibiotic spray for these types of wounds . It just depends what is available in your area.

 

[panache1of2]

Let me know how the pick no more spray works out


I have been curious about scaly leg mites especially since I don't know anything about him prior to November 2013 so when his open wounds heal I'll have to give vaseline a shot.

I appreciate the feedback. This wouldn't bother me so much if he wasn't such a kind loveable roo.

 

[Green Beans]

Ive been reading and scouring through pictures. looks like we have red mites and chances are they were brought in by wild birds. The rooster and one other bird is getting a bath, all get legs treated with a warm washing and bag balm or neosporin.Coop emptied and treated with what ever I can find in this rural onestop shopping town. hopefully it won't be terribly toxic.
The peck no more is an oil. Perhaps I'll use that on their little legs instead. Will keep you posted.

 

[Green Beans]

the peck no more was as useful as a chocolate tea pot.

 

[dawg53]

the peck no more was as useful as a chocolate tea pot.

Hahahahaha, good one! I've used Rooster Booster Pick No More and I agree with you.
Try some Nu-Stock for scaly leg mites. Treat roosts also.

 

[chickisoup]

Quote: x2 on the NuStock. One added benefit is the chooks don't like the smell or the taste. I've used it often to not just heal (which it is really good at) skin abrasions, raw bums, etc, but to get everybody to leave the spot alone.

 

[Green Beans]

I will give it a go. opted for ivermectin solution from abba seed company as all the birds have mites. ugh. rooster is the only one with crummy legs.
treated and changed out the coop too.

 

[dawg53]

I will give it a go. opted for ivermectin solution from abba seed company as all the birds have mites. ugh. rooster is the only one with crummy legs.
treated and changed out the coop too.

Some types of mites hide in cracks and crevices during the day inside coops and only come out at night to feed on roosting chickens. You'll need to treat the inside of the coop as well.