Sounds like you have a plan!
Well...could be. Feathered footsies the scales seem to be more raised, but if they were mine, yes, I would slather on oil or vaseline.So it does look like mites? Boo.
Thanks for the replies. I soaked them, scrubbed (lightly) with a toothbrush, and absolutely drenched their little feetsies in vaseline. I trimmed the Cochin's feathers, too, because I just couldn't see what was going on.
On top of all that, the poor Cochin is molting. It is supposed to be 105° tomorrow, so I figured thinning her bouffant couldn't hurt.
How much can I trim off those feet? There are some thick feathers, perhaps pin feathers, growing from her feet. I cut off where they were already bent/broken. Any advice about that?
I sat on my chair outside and tried to look at her feet, and I'm thinking, "There has to be a chicken in here somewhere!" She looks as large as my Brahma but weighs much less.
I also love your signature. It's my life mantra 
Goodness! Soaked my girls and slathered their feet/legs again. My poor Cochin! She is filthy from the dirt sticking to the vaseline! She is now mostly dark brown.
I also noticed her crop wasn't full even though I soaked her in the evening. Could this be due to:
A) the heat?
B) her moult (she's in the early stages, I think)?
C) all this soaking is stressing her out?
D) all of the above?
I'm beginning to think she is on the decline. She's the same girl who laid a shelless egg and hasn't been the same since. I notice nothing different about her behavior. She looks like she's eating, and I've def seen her drink.
Be honest - am I overthinking things again?
Oh, I would monitor her for sure.
