What's wrong with Thor's feet? (feather footed) A PIC

[gritsar]

Thor has had some red in his feet ever since he went thru rooster pubertly. I attributed the redness to hormones.
Since about Thursday his feet have looked angry red and he has lost the feathers on one foot. I've looked at them under the lighted magnifying glass (that was loads of fun) and I can't see anything like mites.
It's very dry here, seriously dry. I've never seen him soak his feet in water the way the hens do. There's a very real chance he could have gotten into some poisonous ivy or oak while foraging. The foot missing the feathers almost looks like he got them caught in something and it pulled the feathers out?
So what's wrong with them? Any guesses? And what to do about it?
Also, it doesn't seem to bother him whatever it is and there are no black spots on the bottom of them like in bumblefoot.

 

[sonew123]

ooh poor guys toes look swollen-the redness maybe from getting those feathers ripped out or growing back in?

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I notice that my feather-footed birds will lose feathers, for various reasons, because they are outside and always busy and active. I see that underneath where their feathers should be, the skin is red. They're never bothered by it though and when the feathers grow back, there is no problem.

Is it possible Thor's hens decided to have a pecking party? It looks like how my roosters' feathered feet look a.) after a fight and/or b.) when the hens peck their feet. Whatever happened, it looks like something forcefully got to them.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I'm wondering if he fought something off? The girls haven't acted like there's been anything spooking them, but that's not to say it couldn't have happened.

 

[kycowgirlchick]

Get some DE. That will kill any kind of pest. Then maybe some hydrocortison cream

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Already use the DE.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, Kat, I have no idea. Wish I did. Maybe soak them in warm water with epsom salts? Not sure if that will help, though.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Thanks for looking Cyn. I guess when my DH is off this week we'll start trying the epsom soaks. I really am finding I need his help to handle Thor, merely because of his size and bulk. I'm having a flare up and it's all I can do to keep the boogerhead's wings tucked down tight and carry him at the same time. I know, I'm a wimp.

 

[speckledhen]

You are not a wimp, m'dear. These birds are very strong. You would not believe how strong my crippled rooster, Zane's wings are from using them as crutches to get around! To do anything medical with him, I'd have to wrap him in a towel.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Actually, no it won't. I love DE, have used it for about 12 years, and actually advocated so long ago that people made fun of me saying it wouldn't work for anything. So I'm pretty good with what it's great for, and what it won't work for.

Incidentally, it's possible that this is scaley mites. You can't see them because they're under the scales. Warming vasoline and neosporin together and painting the legs might cure the scaley leg if that's it, and will treat any infection that might be causing the redness and inflammation.

Soaking in epsoms first might withdraw some of the fluid from swelling, too. Then treat with the neosporin/vaseline.

As for hydrocortisone, it's not recommended on birds as preening it is devestating to them. Just FYI - learned this only this year.

I do hope this helps. Poor guy - looks painful.