Roosters legs peeling, limping, pain.

[Banana01]

He is my oldest rooster and is maybe 3 years old. He eats and sleeps the same place as the rest of the healthy flock members. None of my other chickens have leg problems like this.

Anyone have a guess what is happening? He is walking strangely like limping, but still manages to get around. It is on both legs. Pics are attached. So far i have been afraid to do any treatment because i dont want to worse it and make him unable to walk. I have looked closely and cant see any parasites.

Edit: i think i am going to treat for scaly leg mites in the morning by applying oil to the legs and giving an antiparasite medication. I hope it doesnt hurt him.

 

[The WinterWolf]

hello! all i can do is put you on the "new messages" list and cheer you on. Good luck!

 

[Sequel]

How is he today? Poor boy! It looks to me like he’s hurt himself like getting stuck in fencing or something. One of the pictures appears to show a puncture. I would clean it with sterile saline, betadine or even some peroxide if that’s what you have. Then put regular antibiotic ointment on. Keep wound moist with the antibiotic ointment.
I’ll tag some experts to have a look. @azygous, @Eggcessive, @Wyorp Rock

 

[azygous]

What have you been doing as far as treatment? how long has this been going on?

From out here in internet land, it looks like infection, some tissue going necrotic.

 

[Banana01]

How is he today? Poor boy! It looks to me like he’s hurt himself like getting stuck in fencing or something. One of the pictures appears to show a puncture. I would clean it with sterile saline, betadine or even some peroxide if that’s what you have. Then put regular antibiotic ointment on. Keep wound moist with the antibiotic ointment.
I’ll tag some experts to have a look. @azygous, @Eggcessive, @Wyorp Rock

If it is an injury, maybe it is self inflicted. He might be picking the scales off his legs, but this didnt just happen overnight, it has been gradual. Only recently is his ability to walk being affected.

I think antibiotic ointment is a good idea. I will apply it at bedtime tonight.

What have you been doing as far as treatment? how long has this been going on?

From out here in internet land, it looks like infection, some tissue going necrotic.

Only this morning i treated it with some aguave oil on his legs, and some antiparasite orally. I know the photos arent very good. Its not necrotic like painful, those are very large and hardened scabs. He feels no pain when i touch them, but he did have a little pain on the reddish areas. To me it looks like he is biting off his scales, or the scales are falling off and leaving it raw underneath. The scabs are very unusual, i am afraid to take them off that will injure him, but they are very hardened.

 

[azygous]

I would give him some warm Epsom salt soaks and keep him greased up with coconut oil in between. If he's pecking at his legs, it means they hurt. Try the soaks and coconut oil and see if that gives him some relief. Scales on legs take an enormous amount of time to heal. You may be in this for the long haul.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Shadrach any input?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

This is only a thought but is this area where the alternate spur could be hitting? I mean he would have to be doing some high stepping for that to happen in reality. My other thought is maybe he got himself stuck straddling something and was able to free himself but not before injuring his legs. This is probably silly (or possibly even ridiculous) but I thought I'd toss the possibility in hopes of some better ideas. He's handsome. May I ask what breed he is? Also, another off topic thing, is this the inside of your coop? That looks so incredibly natural and amazing. I love it!

 

[Banana01]

I would give him some warm Epsom salt soaks and keep him greased up with coconut oil in between. If he's pecking at his legs, it means they hurt. Try the soaks and coconut oil and see if that gives him some relief. Scales on legs take an enormous amount of time to heal. You may be in this for the long haul.

Thank you. How long should he soak his legs for? Is 10 minutes long enough? Im sad because I dont know how much longer he will be able to walk to way things are going, but as of today he is walking. Maybe i can stop the damage.

This is only a thought but is this area where the alternate spur could be hitting? I mean he would have to be doing some high stepping for that to happen in reality. My other thought is maybe he got himself stuck straddling something and was able to free himself but not before injuring his legs. This is probably silly (or possibly even ridiculous) but I thought I'd toss the possibility in hopes of some better ideas. He's handsome. May I ask what breed he is? Also, another off topic thing, is this the inside of your coop? That looks so incredibly natural and amazing. I love it!

Good idea, thank you. I may trim his spurs, thay may have caused the scabs. I know he is a mixed breed, they call it 1/2 fino, its a smaller breed.

Off topic i dont mind. It is one of my coops, and is built with wood and leaves. I will update my coop page someday lol. It leaks a little in the rain, but it is infested with mites too. But its a different kind of mite than the scaly ones i think? Also none of my other chickens have leg peeling like this.

 

[azygous]

Ten minutes minimum. Twenty would be better.