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Wantchooks

Worried - what has caused this, and this?

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Sorry about the size of the photos - but you need to see the detail!

On checking my new Orpingtons, found this hard lump half way down her left hand side under the wing - it's about as big as a thumbnail….

 

And one of the others has really poorly looking legs - hardly any scales on both legs - suspect well advanced scaly mite…

This is the back of one of her legs - the sides and front have no visible scales, you can just see in the photo.

 

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As you suspect Wantchooks, the second photo looks to me like a chronic case of scaly leg mite needing urgent attention because it is a very painful condition. The first photo looks like it could be a puncture wound from being trodden by a cock caused by sharp spurs. Alternatively it could be a soil bathing injury. That should heal up and the scab drop off. If it doesn't it may be something else and perhaps a trip to the vet is in order?

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Months - and it can take a full 12 months for normal scales to grow back :( I have kept orpingtons for many years now and I have never had a bird with a lump/scab looking like that. The cockerals are heavy beasts, and I use a saddle for some of my hens, but not all of them - I'm not saying it isn't cockeral damage, but I've not seen anything like that. Scaly leg is hugely treatable, and anybody who lets a bird get like that, let alone sell it, shouldn't, in my view. I don't know how long you have had these birds, but I would be raising their condition with the seller at the very least. For your own protection do quarantine these purchases. Judging by what we can see of their poor condition, the birds may be carrying other, unseen problems.

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Daphne - I contacted the breeder and on the phone he was adamant that no chicken would have left his care with scaly leg like that. He also said that he would refund me for both if I returned them. (I have had them for two weeks and this is the first chance that DH and I have been together to check them fully).

 

We took the scaly leg one back this afternoon - and he admitted that he must have missed this at the time. He is going to treat it, and he refunded me.

 

Although he offered, I did not take the the one with the scab back as she has already found a way to my heart - very placid and comes to me happily! I will however be taking her along to an avian vet this week to get checked out. It is not bothering her and I hope it will be sorted.

 

They are being quarantined.

 

Thanks for your advice.

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Me too.

 

I also doubt that they are point of lay (if they were sold as such); scaly leg of that severity takes ages to develop, and the bird will heave been lame, so it's hard to miss.

 

I am sorry that you've ended up with such poorly hens, please don't let it put you off keeping them in future. Do you have a chicken-savvy vet to go to, or can we recommend one to you? If you give us a vague idea of your area, then I am sure one of us will know a good vet around there.

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