What is wrong with our rooster's foot??

[jennifer0224]

Hello, thank you in advance for reading this. We have 1 rooster and 4 elderly hens. I don't usually get too close to the rooster because he's a typical rooster, but today I happened to look at his feet and noticed something off. At bed time when he was calm we took a few pictures.

Any idea what is wrong with his feet? This doesn't look like bumblefoot to me, but I'm not sure. I checked the hens and their feet all look perfect.

He is walking just fine. They have a very large pasture run and free range as well. I almost thought that was a well fed tick in the last picture but on closer inspection it is not.

 

[african chickens]

interesting

 

[StinkyAcres]

Avian/fowl pox? Does he have any lesions on his face or comb?

 

[MottsHomestead]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @Kiki @azygous

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Some of the raised scales may be from being feather footed, but it looks like Scaly Leg Mites to me.
I would apply an oil (like Castor oil), vaseline or NuStock cream to the legs once a week to help with the dryness, to smother the mites and heal. Work the oils/cream up and underneath the scales of the legs and feet. He'll be greasy, but it will wear off since he roams about.

In addition to the oils on the legs, I would treat him with Ivermectin. This will systemically kill the mites.
Ivermectin Pour On dose is 0.045ml per pound of weight, applied to the base of the neck along the spine coming into contact with the skin. Repeat in 10 days.

 

[jennifer0224]

Avian/fowl pox? Does he have any lesions on his face or comb?

There is nothing on his face, and the girls are all fine (although a couple of them have had fowl pox already).

 

[jennifer0224]

Some of the raised scales may be from being feather footed, but it looks like Scaly Leg Mites to me.
I would apply an oil (like Castor oil), vaseline or NuStock cream to the legs once a week to help with the dryness, to smother the mites and heal. Work the oils/cream up and underneath the scales of the legs and feet. He'll be greasy, but it will wear off since he roams about.

In addition to the oils on the legs, I would treat him with Ivermectin. This will systemically kill the mites.
Ivermectin Pour On dose is 0.045ml per pound of weight, applied to the base of the neck along the spine coming into contact with the skin. Repeat in 10 days.

Thank you, we have never dealt with mites before. If it was scaly leg, wouldn't the hens be experiencing the same?

I will look for Ivermectin; we have a Collie so do not keep it around. Would DE work?

I will oil him up too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you, we have never dealt with mites before. If it was scaly leg, wouldn't the hens be experiencing the same?

I will look for Ivermectin; we have a Collie so do not keep it around. Would DE work?

I will oil him up too.

The hens may not have them. Seems like SLM are quite slow in migrating, so getting rid of them on the affected bird and treating roosting bars/housing can help stop them from spreading.

DE is not an effective treatment against SLM or lice/mites on the body.
SLM for the most part live under the scales of the feet and legs, burrowing deeply but they can travel bird to bird. You need the oils to help smother them and heal the legs. The Ivermectin is system, so it will kill the mites when they feed. If you are leery of using the Ivermectin, then you can just treat with oils a few times a week for a month or two, it's a slower process, but can be done if you stay on top of it.

For housing and roosting bars, treat with a Permethrin based spray making sure to get into cracks, nooks and crannies. Repeat in 7 day intervals. The Permethrin will kill any lice/mites or SLM that are hiding about.

 

[jennifer0224]

Thank you so much for the advice and the specific instructions! I will get started on this treatment this weekend.