Omlet cube and run

[surf_space]

Hi all, I was checking my boy over today and noticed this on his feet, I can honestly say I have never seen this before, so either i've missed it or it came on very viciously. Was thinking it looked a little like scaly leg mite, however, it looks more lumpy to me I feel awful as I should have probably noticed it earlier, but with all the bad weather, and although he is tame, he doesn't like to be picked up for long. Apart from this, he is very healthy, alert and active.

 

I hope someone has some idea what it is ....

 

[karlotta]

Yes scaly leg mite. Try a spray for this purpose (or some people use vaseline I believe). It'll look a bit nasty for a while until he moults his scales, but he should be fine. Don't fret... you've caught it now and can go ahead and get him all better.

[Chortle Chook]

Yes, scaly leg mite

Couldn't help but notice the spurs. A couple of days ago (it was a sunny day ) I noticed spurs like this on my boy. To me they looked like mini tree trunks going up his leg. How long should spurs be and should I be cutting them? My boy has rather short legs and I suddenly thought, do they grow like rabbit teeth and will they grow up into his tummy? Hope this does not sound too stupid but I don't really know what I should be doing.

[Chicken deficient]

Scaley leg mite - thirded!

Scales do start to look a little more pronounced when they are about to shed off with a moult, but that is quite a subtle change.

My dinky little pekin cockerel grows humungous spurs. I do clip them from time to time with dog nail clippers, but you do need to be careful as there is a blood vessel that grows through the middle of them, so only cut a little at a time and stop when you see the pink spot appearing, otherwise it gets messy!

[Egluntyne]

Scaley leg mite.

[Chortle Chook]

Just seen this which might (no pun intended) help, on The Omlet Health section

 

"Scaley leg mite can be treated by a direct contact treatment with a substance which will suffocate the mite such as vegetable or mineral oils, but may need treatment by a vet. Claret was advised to spray the legs of her hens with Frontline spray then coat with vegetable oil (**Note that Frontline spray is not licenced for use on poultry in the UK) It is wise to treat the chicken coop with mite powder or spray repeating after one week.

 

DO NOT PULL OFF OR PICK THE SCALES. They will fall off and be replaced when the chicken moults."

[surf_space]

Thanks for all the replies! I thought thats what it was, however, I didn't think it would look as bad as it did! Will my other girls be likely to catch it? As all their legs at the moment are in perfect condition. The thing is that he has already had his moult this year, so will the scales just drop off anyway?

 

Yes, scaly leg mite

Couldn't help but notice the spurs. A couple of days ago (it was a sunny day ) I noticed spurs like this on my boy. To me they looked like mini tree trunks going up his leg. How long should spurs be and should I be cutting them? My boy has rather short legs and I suddenly thought, do they grow like rabbit teeth and will they grow up into his tummy? Hope this does not sound too stupid but I don't really know what I should be doing.

 

My boy is a Pekin, and I do know his spurs are quite long, they do not affect him when he is moving so I have just left them be, as they are not causing him any discomfort. However, if they do start to then I will look into trimming them, as I don't see the need if they aren't causing and harm

 

 

 

....Right time to start looking at treatments .....

[mimi5]

My pekin broodies both got scaley leg last year I believe from the straw in their nests!!! No straw in their nestbox now!!! I used the nettex spray for scaley leg and as I precaution I still spray all the girls feet every three months.

 

With their feathered feet it is difficult to see!!!!

[surf_space]

Thanks, I have now devised a treatment plan starting tomorrow!! Hopefully it should clear up!

[Lewis]

The NetTex Scaley Leg Mite spray is good, as is the Johnsons Scaley Leg Mite cream... Is good to be able to leave the cream on and see exactly where it's been applied.

 

 

I'd keep an eye on the spurs, they may need trimming to keep his girls happy - if they're too big I'm not sure they'll help his grip

I use guillotine dog nail clippers but know some people use files, especially for show birds.

[Redwing]

Those spurs will be hurting the females and can cause lacerations - they need to be trimmed really for the females sake

 

a set of dog nail trimmers or pliers are needed (not human nail trimmers or scissors) If you hold the bird up to the light you can see that part of the spur is translucent and part of it isnt. the translucent bit can be trimmed

 

If they bleed (which they shouldnt) it will stop with a smear of vaseline or soap

 

My males spurs are kept to less than an inch long but most are about 1cm long

[loumabel]

another vote for the johnsons scaley leg cream. It is a bit messy but I find you can really get it up underneath the scales and make sure it is really well covered. Mine also seem to get instant relief from the cream and its stops them picking at their feet. A couple of applications usually does the trick but the appearance won't improve until he moults later in the year.

[surf_space]

ok thanks for letting me know about the spurs, I shall sort them out. Have been covering with vaseline to start as I couldn't go to the shop to buy treatments. It's working really well and most of the bigger flakey bits have already started falling off. I shall carry on with this then change to johnsons scaly leg mite treatment. Thanks all