Silkies with horrible looking feet.

[coach723]

Poor birds! I think if you are willing to put the time and effort into it, I would give them a chance. You can always change your mind at any time, but if they were mine, I would give them a chance. I'm sure they are uncomfortable, so once they are feeling better, they may start moving around more.
This is a long thread with some birds that were found with really awful feet. It's very long, but there are pictures spread through, may be good for you to read.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-to-do-with-this-foot.1285351/
I would quarantine these ones for now, at least 30 days. Start working on the feet. Get them eating and drinking and hopefully stronger. Since they were in awful conditions worming would be something I would do at some point. Safeguard liquid goat wormer is usually available locally, but with Covid I know some places are out of stock. You can also get it online. You can also use Valbazen, that usually I have to order.
Here is info, with pictures to help, for any possible lice/mites:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[reddirtbirds]

That’s definitely scaley leg mites there’s a few ways to treat them. I’ve never had them in my flock before but that’s definitely a pretty advanced case. I wouldn’t introduce them to your flock until you can get them completely healed up and kill all the mites. Their feet will likely be permanently deformed from them but they can heal and still have good quality of life.

 

[reddirtbirds]

As for the other birds I would clean your cooler anywhere that those chickens have had contact with very well with vinegar and water And also put down some type of permethrin spray or dust. Just watch your other birds for symptoms if coughs early you can stop them before any terrible damage is done. Putting them down may wind up being the best option as far as salvaging the entire flock as a whole.

 

[bluefreeze]

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.

Thank you, I am worried they are stressed, but they seem to understand I am not there to hurt them, if that is possible. I never treat my chickens as pets, I don't try to hold them or whatever but I feel something for these little girls. I want them to live but I don't want them to suffer....

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you, I am worried they are stressed, but they seem to understand I am not there to hurt them, if that is possible. I never treat my chickens as pets, I don't try to hold them or whatever but I feel something for these little girls. I want them to live but I don't want them to suffer....

You mentioned that they don't walk.
Do they move around at all? I worry that in the condition those feet are and not moving muscles will atrophy.
I would no go extreme trying to make them move......maybe gentle encouragement when you are tending those legs and feeding/cleaning their area.
Not eating much.....offer nutritious delicious things like scrambled egg, wet mash, mackerel, and a little watermelon. That watermelon can help keep their electrolytes balanced.

Poor dears and good heavens it looks like a daunting long road. Just one day at a time.

 

[bluefreeze]

You mentioned that they don't walk.
Do they move around at all? I worry that in the condition those feet are and not moving muscles will atrophy.
I would no go extreme trying to make them move......maybe gentle encouragement when you are tending those legs and feeding/cleaning their area.
Not eating much.....offer nutritious delicious things like scrambled egg, wet mash, mackerel, and a little watermelon. That watermelon can help keep their electrolytes balanced.

Poor dears and good heavens it looks like a daunting long road. Just one day at a time.

No they really don't walk but a few steps to get to the bowl, that is about it. The owner/neighbor came by today, said we could just butcher them. My husband said NO, we are going to try to treat them and give them a good life, she didn't really care....So, I am feeding them exactly as you have mentioned. LOTS of good fresh food, meal, crumble, greens, fruit etc. In the short 3 days they have been here, they have put down a lot of food and loved their salad today, and healthy poops make me happy.. I have to change their bedding every time, they just sit in it. I am afraid there will be permanent damage, they are lame, I don't see how this is going to be positive for them. But, again, my husband wants to try treatment and see how it goes. I put them in a nice little bath and massaged the feet today, they didn't seem bothered, I think they liked it maybe...I put my concoction of tea tree, olive oil, a&d on the feet... Anyway, we will see....Thanks!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

No they really don't walk but a few steps to get to the bowl, that is about it. The owner/neighbor came by today, said we could just butcher them. My husband said NO, we are going to try to treat them and give them a good life, she didn't really care....So, I am feeding them exactly as you have mentioned. LOTS of good fresh food, meal, crumble, greens, fruit etc. In the short 3 days they have been here, they have put down a lot of food and loved their salad today, and healthy poops make me happy.. I have to change their bedding every time, they just sit in it. I am afraid there will be permanent damage, they are lame, I don't see how this is going to be positive for them. But, again, my husband wants to try treatment and see how it goes. I put them in a nice little bath and massaged the feet today, they didn't seem bothered, I think they liked it maybe...I put my concoction of tea tree, olive oil, a&d on the feet... Anyway, we will see....Thanks!!

I for one am glad they are with you and not her! Kinda callous of her really. I hope she stays in her yard for quite a while. Personally.....I think she knew they were not well.

That they were eating good is a good sign.

You are trying....and so are they.

 

[bluefreeze]

Yes, when she came by tonight, I said, "you never told me they couldn't walk, they were really in bad shape, they have severe leg mites" She said "what do you mean, they walked around all the time! They waddled and whatever..." My husband spoke up quickly to avoid a commotion....She felt bad I could tell, she is just hard-shelled. Before she left she said "I know they will be taken care of here, and whatever the cost to treat them let me know, thanks for taking care of them" So..... It is what it is...I told her it is not about money, but we will do what we can. She said she noticed chickens in the past had these bad looking feet and she never knew what it was.. So that is that, it is just plain ignorance IMO. We value our neighbors, we all help each other, so we will just deal with these lovely birds as best as we can. My husband really wants to work on it, which amazes me, he surprises me sometimes. Usually farmers just say off with the head and done. We will TRY, that is all we can do!!!

 

[coach723]

I'm glad you are giving them a chance. I hope they improve and can have a good quality of life. The world can use every little kindness right now.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Rooting for these guys! You can do this.