Stumped. Thought it was scaly leg mite, now not sure. Thoughts?

Rhiannon_In_Nature

Songster
5 Years
Feb 9, 2019
106
233
146
SW Washington
A week ago I noticed the hens in one of my coops had small wounds on their legs that looked like they had been scraped or pecked. Within 24 hours all five hens had it to some extent. I originally thought scaly leg mites, even though none of the scales are lifted. I have been treating it for five days, and still getting fresh marks. Does this look like anything else? I can't imagine they are all pecking each other. Below are pics of how one hen's legs look today.

20240708_104545.jpg



20240708_104554.jpg
 
Are they scratching around near fencing?
Any rats?
Have you watched at night to see if they are picking at each other's feet?

Looks like injury, I'd clean the wounds with a bit of Chlorhexidine or Saline, then apply a dab of triple antibiotic ointment.
 
No fencing to scratch around. Their enclosure has 1/2" hardware cloth and the outer pen that they are in during the day is chain link lined with screen so they can't put their feet or heads through. Fairly certain not rats because I have not seen rat poop or footprints in the sand in the poop tray, plus it would be really hard for them to get in, but I can't eliminate the possiblity until I can watch overnight. I have not observed them pecking each other, but again I haven't watched overnight. I think I gotta get a camera in there if I can't figure this out.
 
No fencing to scratch around. Their enclosure has 1/2" hardware cloth and the outer pen that they are in during the day is chain link lined with screen so they can't put their feet or heads through. Fairly certain not rats because I have not seen rat poop or footprints in the sand in the poop tray, plus it would be really hard for them to get in, but I can't eliminate the possiblity until I can watch overnight. I have not observed them pecking each other, but again I haven't watched overnight. I think I gotta get a camera in there if I can't figure this out.
Since it's on all of them at their feet/legs, I would investigate the fencing to be sure there's not an area where they are scratching about and getting cut/injured.
 

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