Rooster with weird brown growth between spur and toe - scaly leg mite?

[CarolinaSkies]

Hi all and thank you for your help in advance. Our 2 year old splash Marans rooster has a weird growth between his spur and toe, on both legs. He also has had naked, red neck and butt for about 4 months. Not sure if that could be related and he generally seems a little slower that usual. I'm concerned that mice may be pulling neck and butt feathers, as there is a nicely lined nest in the corner each morning. I'll include a picture of the growth. Does anyone know what the growths are and how to treat? Could mice be doing the feather damage?

1) Marans rooster, 2 years, a bit under-weight
2) No unusual behavior
3) Not sure how long growths on legs have been there, just noticed yesterday when we were giving him a bath
4)Have not noticed leg growth in other birds
5)No bleeding or trauma
6)No known injuries
7)Eats/drinks normally
8)Haven't noticed his poo, but nothing unusual in the coop
9)Washed area
10)We plan on treating bird ourselves
11)Will post picture
12)Large coop, wooden floor with pine shavings

 

[CarolinaSkies]

Could this be scaly leg mites?

 

[chfite]

If scaly leg mites, you can treat them with vaseline petroleum jelly to smother the mites. Just slather it on.

Chris

 

[CarolinaSkies]

TY-I may as well try it.

 

[Mickey Lou 04]

I've seen scaly mites and unless it's another type this isn't scaly mites. Are his toes crooked? I suppose that that could cause a callouse. (just a guess)

 

[purpletree23]

Mice are carriers of disease and just plain yucky. You need to have a plan to get rid of them.

Wash the 'growths' with soap and water to get a better picture of what you are looking at. This way you can tell if its smooth, rough and what color it is.

Does your rooster perch on a rounded perch or the 2 inch side of a 2x4? That's what the picture looks like. If he perches on the 2 inch part of a 2x4 it's probably calluses and turning the 2x4 so he can perch on the 4 inch side would be better.

 

[CarolinaSkies]

I've seen scaly mites and unless it's another type this isn't scaly mites. Are his toes crooked? I suppose that that could cause a callouse. (just a guess)

His middle toes are a bit crooked, but nothing major. But callouses are a thought. Could they be related to his spurs since they are in that area? Thank you for your input.

Mice are carriers of disease and just plain yucky. You need to have a plan to get rid of them.

Wash the 'growths' with soap and water to get a better picture of what you are looking at. This way you can tell if its smooth, rough and what color it is.

Does your rooster perch on a rounded perch or the 2 inch side of a 2x4? That's what the picture looks like. If he perches on the 2 inch part of a 2x4 it's probably calluses and turning the 2x4 so he can perch on the 4 inch side would be better.

My plan for the mice is: Mouse bucket traps, sealed containers for feed, and new feeders with lids to close at night.
We were giving him a bath when we noticed the growths, so they are brown and bumpy. Not sure if you clicked on the picture, but it gets larger and shows more.
Roosts are 2x2's. Should they be rounded? I might slip out tonight and see how his feet fit on the perch, because calluses seem like a possibility. Thank you for your ideas.

 

[purpletree23]

In my humble opinion I would change the roosts to 2x4's. A 2x2 is too small for a rooster/hen to sit comfortably and can cause foot problems and callouses. This also might be the cause of crooked toes. Also his spurs might be digging into or rubbing on the area that is affected causing the trouble. Taking a peek at night is a great idea. You'll be able to see exactly how he sits and where the callouses are in relation to the perch.

Keep a close watch on the area and make sure it doesn't get worse or bloody or ooozy. I think he is fine. Just needs to have a better roost.

He's lucky to have an owner so concerned about his well being.

 

[CarolinaSkies]

In my humble opinion I would change the roosts to 2x4's. A 2x2 is too small for a rooster/hen to sit comfortably and can cause foot problems and callouses. This also might be the cause of crooked toes. Also his spurs might be digging into or rubbing on the area that is affected causing the trouble. Taking a peek at night is a great idea. You'll be able to see exactly how he sits and where the callouses are in relation to the perch.

Keep a close watch on the area and make sure it doesn't get worse or bloody or ooozy. I think he is fine. Just needs to have a better roost.

He's lucky to have an owner so concerned about his well being.

TY for the suggestions. We need to lower this roost, so I'll try and swap for a better roost when we move it. This roo is very friendly to humans and hens, but he's starting to look a little ragged,.. so we don't want anything bad to happen to him.