Silkies with horrible looking feet.

[bluefreeze]

I should get a pic, but help, I need to vent.... A neighbor gave me 2 silkies yesterday, she said something was attacking her birds and these were the last of the silkies and would I take them to keep them safe? I wouldn't have taken these birds if I had any idea what was on their feet, now I am stuck. I have a VERY healthy coop and yard and surroundings and never have had parasites in my birds. Now I have 2 silkies that I can't even see their feet and they can't walk well at all, one is only walking on one leg. So....It is morning, a rain storm ending and I have to go out to the coop and decided how to deal with this. Has it spread all ready, with them just spending half a day and one night in the coop? I have 10 chicks nearby in another part of the coop, do I have to clean everything out there as well? I am pissed, excuse me, but I am very angry at my lack of knowledge and this whole situation I will have to deal with. She said they don't walk well, like it is a normal thing, she said they have weird feet, and she trims their nails, she said they are fine etc.... I believed her, I had never seen feet like these and never had silkies, I was being nice taking the birds. .. So, I read dipping the feet in gasoline, then A&D ointment, a 3 day treatment routine. Anyone hear of this? I can't even see the feet like I said, it looks like one big clumpy feathery ball, maybe a few toes.... My husband just said maybe they are actually walking on their haunches, like the feet are so caked, maybe I just need a warm soak and thorough clean...I am dreading this day, I am sad for these beautiful little birds, I want to give them back, I don't know if that is right.

 

[coach723]

Can you post some pictures of the feet? If it's scaly leg mites then I would soak the legs in epsom salts or mild soapy water and gently remove as much debris as you can, trying not to damage scales and skin. Depending on how bad it is, it may take several times/several days. Then cover them with vegetable oil (I like castor oil, but any vegetable oil will work), you can use a soft toothbrush to gently work it under the scales. Then cover that with vaseline or nu-stock ointment. You will need to repeat the oil/vaseline every few days until they start to look normal again, it can take awhile. It's also possible that it could be mud balls, which is droppings and dirt that build up and harden like concrete. Soaking will also work to help remove that. Pictures would help.

 

[Grace11]

Be really careful if clipping stuff off their feet. Blood feathers will bleed, and their toes CAN look just like the foot feathers. Soaking and useing a soft old toothbrush can clean a lot off so u can maybe see what's going on.
There's a reason I do not keep feather footed breeds, I don't like having to clean them every 5 minutes. They are better as pets, can spend more time on them to keep those fancy feet in proper order!

 

[bluefreeze]

Thanks! So, my husband and quarenteend them, and I did the treatment with a gas dip and ointment. I was shocked and appalled at their condition and now know they have been suffering for at least 2 years as that is how old they are! It is scaly leg mites and it is so bad you can't even see the feet anymore, I am so sad and YES I will be very very careful and just keep treating them before I try to pry off any of the very hard growths. I used a&d, but the feet were so mangled I am sure I didn't get it everywhere. I am thinking the veggie oil would be better, easier? Thanks so much guys, I am sorry I was so wordy and didn't get a pic, it is sooooo sad and sick and my stomach hurts from it. I cleaned everything, even where the little chicks are, it is so hot and I am pooped. I have to help these little girls. I will maybe get a pic but I am horrified you will tell me to put them down. I gotta give them a chance.

 

[coach723]

I would not tell you to put them down. It may be awful now, but with some time and effort there is a very good chance they will recover. It may look worse before it looks better, depending on the severity. Even if there is some deformity or loss of toes, they can still recover. I would just start soaking, oiling (the oil will also help soften and loosen it up. Clean off what you can, and then repeat until all the gunk is off. Once you get all the gunk off and can actually see what the feet and legs look like, then you can go from there. If you do end up with some wounded area's you can put plain neosporin on them.

 

[bluefreeze]

I am going to go check on them again now, we put them in the greenhouse for now, I am scared to put them with the other chickens and chicks. OK ready or not - here is a pic.. It is the one that can only really stand on one leg. It is bad, it is of the 2 feet. Like I said, you can't even make out the feet, and the legs are double the size with a whole other leg practically attached, hard to describe. The other is just of them sitting, they don't walk around, they just sit wherever you put them. I have only had them since yesterday, and they don't walk around at all. They do eat but very little and they did have 2 nice looking poops which was good. The idea of putting them down still pops up, I appreciate your opinions. Thanks again.

 

[bluefreeze]

Can you post some pictures of the feet? If it's scaly leg mites then I would soak the legs in epsom salts or mild soapy water and gently remove as much debris as you can, trying not to damage scales and skin. Depending on how bad it is, it may take several times/several days. Then cover them with vegetable oil (I like castor oil, but any vegetable oil will work), you can use a soft toothbrush to gently work it under the scales. Then cover that with vaseline or nu-stock ointment. You will need to repeat the oil/vaseline every few days until they start to look normal again, it can take awhile. It's also possible that it could be mud balls, which is droppings and dirt that build up and harden like concrete. Soaking will also work to help remove that. Pictures would help.

I just posted a pic, it is of 2 feet but they are hard to make out. Thanks

 

[bluefreeze]

So, can I assume there are worms, lice anything else that chickens get, and can spread? I am still upset and don't think I should ever put these with my flock, how can I know this is healing? I don't know if they are living a good life, i don't know what the future holds, I am just at a loss.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can usually see if there are lice or mites by examining the skin for moving tiny bugs, and the presence of their eggs. Permethrin spray or garden dust from a feed store works well to treat both. It won’t hurt to worm them with Valbazen or SafeGuard, and repeat it in 10 days while they are in quarantine. Keep on soaking the legs and getting some of the scaly mites off a little at a time.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So, can I assume there are worms, lice anything else that chickens get, and can spread? I am still upset and don't think I should ever put these with my flock, how can I know this is healing? I don't know if they are living a good life, i don't know what the future holds, I am just at a loss.

One step and one day at a time. No way they will look better anytime soon.
My understanding is that while there may be improvement it can take months until you see new leg scales. From what I read it can take going through a molt to shed the damaged scales.

You are giving hem a chance and treating the nasties.....that is more than they had where they were.