Very red and warm legs

[Peaky]

i have a rooster when I just looked up n the upper part of his legs it was very red and warm. Have no idea what it is.

 

[MagpieDucks]

This does not look good at all! Did you check everyone else’s feet as well? There’s a good chance the others might have some leg issues as well.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Might be mites. Looks awfully inflamed and swollen. Scales on the legs are flaky looking too.

 

[MagpieDucks]

To be honest with you, it looks pretty extreme and he might not make it.

Is he able to walk? How is he acting? Is he eating or drinking? Is his poop normal?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

@Eggcessive does this look like a sever mite infestation to you?

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I think this is the worst scaley leg mite infestation I’ve ever seen. At first I thought it might be something else, but those raised scales are a dead giveaway.

The poor guy has to be so uncomfortable!

Check your other birds legs out as well.

There are multiple treatments for this, but I’m not sure if he’ll make it because it’s so severe.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

That looks like a really bad case of mites..

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I think this is the worst scaley leg mite infestation I’ve ever seen. At first I thought it might be something else, but those raised scales are a dead giveaway.

The poor guy has to be so uncomfortable!

Check your other birds legs out as well.

There are multiple treatments for this, but I’m not sure if he’ll make it because it’s so severe.

It is so bad that I second guessed myself on it. Fighting the infection that is in the bird is going to be the hardest part of this.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

If he has it, chances are the whole flock does.. definitely calling @casportpony on this one!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Here are some different treatment options:

OPTION 1: Soak, Oil, Vaseline
1) soak the feet and legs in warm water
2) dry with a towel, gently exfoliating any dead, loose scales.
3) dip feet and legs in oil, (linseed, mineral, olive, vegetable) which suffocates the mites.
4) wipe off linseed oil and slather affected area with petroleum jelly.

The petroleum jelly should be re-applied several times each week until the affected areas return to normal. It may take several months for mild to moderate cases to resolve.

OPTION 2: Sulfur & Vaseline
An alternate treatment option for scaly leg mites is to mix 2 tablespoons of sulfur powder with ½ cup petroleum jelly- applied daily for a minimum of two weeks.

OPTION 3: Ivermectin
In severe cases of scaly leg mite, oral or injectable forms of Ivermectin may be prescribed by a veterinarian. Per Dr. Julie Gauthier, DVM the dosage is 0.2 mg/kg per bird, repeated in ten days. Gail Damerow indicates an oral dosage of Ivermectin of 5-7 drops for bantam birds, 1/4 cc for larger birds in The Chicken Health Handbook. She also states that “since the withdrawal time is not known, Ivermectin should not be used on birds kept for meat or eggs.”

OPTION 4: Gasoline & A&D ointment
This method is recommended by Dr. Michael Darre, PhD, Poultry Extension Specialist for New England at the University of Connecticut. It is effective and works quickly. This is the method I would use on my chickens if necessary.

Day 1: DIP the affected legs in gasoline (the cheap gas, no need for hi-test). Don’t rub on or brush on, DIP the legs in it. Hold the legs out and allow them to dry. Slather legs with A&D ointment. The A&D softens the scales and promotes healing.

The gas gets up underneath the scales and kills the mites AND suffocates the nits. The nits are the biggest problem when trying to treat scaly leg mites with other treatment options. It can take weeks with other methods and often doesn’t kill all the nits, so the problem never goes away.

Day 2: Slather A&D ointment on the legs only- no gasoline on day 2.

Day 3: Repeat the same treatment as Day 1. Gas dip. Dry. A&D. That completes the course of treatment.