Swollen feet! STILL SWOLLEN! SCALES ARE BLACK. MITES???

[welasharon]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/33903/scaly-leg-mites-need-best-easiest-quickest-solution-scaley
here is a nice link for reading about scaley leg

I am really not seeing lifted scales in the pics. But if you see them with your eyes as you are there looking at the birds then I'd go ahead and coat the legs.

I personally use mineral oil (vegetable oil works too) for two weeks, dipping each leg every day to smother the mites. Toward the end of the two weeks I do it every other day.

Also I have learned that smearing oil on the combs/wattles is good too as these mites attack the facial area sometimes.

The swelling concerns me and I don't know what that would be.

This is what I would do. It will not hurt for sure. I am puzzled by the swelling though. Maybe do an epsoms salts soak followed by the oil on the legs and the head...it won't hurt anything for sure and it may make her legs feel better.

 

[mrbstephens]

I've brought her in my house yesterday. She's in a dog crate in my kitchen. I soaked her legs in water and epsom salts and then slathered on the vaseline. Today, no change and the scales look black. I'll take another pic.

 

[welasharon]

If the scales are turning black then the possibility of frostbite is there. You said it has been really cold and they are walking on frozen ground or something like that? I do believe after becoming frostbitten it does swell then turn black...however I am not sure if there is anything you can do about it. I am so sorry I know this has to be frustrating.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I've brought her in my house yesterday. She's in a dog crate in my kitchen. I soaked her legs in water and epsom salts and then slathered on the vaseline. Today, no change and the scales look black. I'll take another pic.

It takes days for even a mild case of scaly leg mites to improve in appearance. For severe cases, it might not look better until the scales molt. So I'd not worry about improvement in appearance for a couple weeks if you think it is scaly leg. I haven't seen black scales...here is a google of pictures of scaly leg to help you if needed:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...LkF?p=scaly+leg+mites&ei=utf-8&iscqry=&fr=sfp

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1098/2902-1098.html
here is more info

I'll keep searching to see if I find more information on swollen legs/black scales. I really don't know the cause of those.

Ok, yes, the only thing I have found thus far is what welasharon said, check out gout - also watch for bumblefoot (black scab under the foot- needs treatment usually).

 

[mrbstephens]

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I edited post #24, and wanted also to know if the feet feel hot/inflamed, or pretty cool to the touch.

Do you think there is an infection brewing in those swollen areas? I'm out of my league here with this swelling, so I am just asking so that others can answer you better at this point.

I am very concerned about the swelling. If there is an infection in there it can go to the bone and really be bad and you might need to see a vet/antibiotics/etc. But if it is just something like gout then I have been reading about other treatments for this for chickens.

Check for a black scab under each foot that might point to bumblefoot having traveled up to the "ankle" of the chicken. If you do see a black scab under the foot, there is a definite treatment for it and we can point you to threads that will assist.

So I am going to watch the thread and be rooting for your girls!

 

[welasharon]

I just don't see this as scaly leg mites. The scales are raised when they have that because the mites burrow under the scales and secrete this substance, kinda crusty stuff, that pushes the scales upward. I would look more toward the frostbite or gout investigation. The swelling would naturally push the scales outward. Is it mushy swelling or hard?

 

[CluckyJay]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/232/gout

 

[mrbstephens]

I edited post #24, and wanted also to know if the feet feel hot/inflamed, or pretty cool to the touch.

Do you think there is an infection brewing in those swollen areas? I'm out of my league here with this swelling, so I am just asking so that others can answer you better at this point.

I am very concerned about the swelling. If there is an infection in there it can go to the bone and really be bad and you might need to see a vet/antibiotics/etc. But if it is just something like gout then I have been reading about other treatments for this for chickens

Check for a black scab under each foot that might point to bumblefoot having traveled up to the "ankle" of the chicken. If you do see a black scab under the foot, there is a definite treatment for it and we can point you to threads that will assist.

So I am going to watch the thread and be rooting for your girls!

There is definitely no black spot or scab anywhere on either foot. I checked the bottoms and they are clean. I haven't felt for temperature, but will in a bet. I figure I'll soak her feet again.

I'm not sure why she would have gout. The other chickens don't have swelling. They all have the same diet. They haven't laid an egg in about two months except for my RIR who is still laying almost every day. I'm still giving them layer pellets and a little bit of sunflower seeds for a treat. So, maybe because she's not laying she's not using the protein and it's causing gout?

 

[mrbstephens]

The swelling is mushy.