Tail-less Rooster

[EasyKeeperRanch]

I think he has scaly leg mites.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

Hi,
My black copper Maran rooster had something last summer which ate away at his feathers, he looked horrible. i tried dusting him with diatomaceous earth and adding apple cider vinegar to the water and even brushing his feet with coconut oil (which he seemed to like). He should have feathered legs but those feathers are all gone too. By the first rains of the fall his feathers were coming back in, but his tail never really grew back. I thought it might be the girls pecking at him so I got a flock block around the same time as the rains, so I'm not sure which it was.
Now that it has started to get warm and dry (I'm in CA), I see some white patches on his comb (sometimes bloodied poor guy) he shakes his head a lot, and now his feathers are all eaten again. He doesn't seem lethargic at all.
The girls all got this too last summer to varying degrees and I'd really like to get a hold of it.
Thanks for any help!

I'm not an expert on breeds or parasites, but I'm not sure that that's a pure Maran. The fluff looks almost Silkie-like, like he could be a mix.
If he did used to have feathered feet (which, to my knowledge, Marans do not have), though, then yes there is certainly something wrong with him. Combined with the head-shaking and the fact that the girls had it previously, it sounds like mites of some kind, as has been suggested.
There are medicines that can be given to deter mites, but the coop and run will also need to be treated.
Diatomaceous earth is commonly suggested as a treatment, but it can be hazardous to humans and birds alike; if you use it, keep it away from your birds, please wear a mask and proper covering equipment, and try to use it on a day with low wind so that it doesn't get all in the air. It's made of a bunch of tiny, sharp particles, hence why it works on soft-bodied parasites, but that same aspect makes it dangerous to inhale, as it can make tiny cuts inside of your lungs and airway, as well.
Scaly leg mites can be treated by slathering the legs of the afflicted bird with Vaseline or petroleum jelly, as this suffocates the mites.
Let me tag a couple of people who could give you more helpful answers to the points above real quick.
@Overo Mare, @TheOddOneOut, @Kiki, @EmmaRainboe
(I can never keep too long of a list of people in my head, so if any of y'all can think of anyone else, please tag them, too).

Good luck with your rooster, and may God bless you.