5 Y/O Ri red roo suddenly lame

[mansfieldjc]

My five-year-old RIR has suddenly become lame in one leg. The first day he would walk on both legs and then kick the right leg out behind him, but now he prefers to be non weight bearing on that leg. He’s eating and drinking normally and seems fine personality wise, but there was some drainage from the top of his leg where his feathers start and it has crusted over and his other leg looks like it is starting to get irritated in the same location. I don’t see issues on the other birds. Could this be scaly leg mites? I put Vaseline on his legs and hocks but we don’t have a chicken vet nearby.

 

[coach723]

It looks more like an injury of some kind. Maybe got his leg hung up somewhere. If you can soak it in epsom salts, flush it with some diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (hibiclens from any pharmacy), and apply some plain triple antibiotic ointment if there is any broken skin.

 

[mansfieldjc]

It looks more like an injury of some kind. Maybe got his leg hung up somewhere. If you can soak it in epsom salts, flush it with some diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (hibiclens from any pharmacy), and apply some plain triple antibiotic ointment if there is any broken skin.

That’s definitely possible. They free range except for night time so he could’ve gotten into anything. Will the epsom salt bath soften the scab? I’ve never had an injured bird thus far in my chicken journey. Thanks!

 

[coach723]

The epsom salts will help with pain and swelling, and will help loosen/soften any gunk that may be there (be very gentle) so you can get a better look. It may just be badly bruised, but if there are any wounds then cleaning it up and applying ointment to prevent infection would be good. You might want to check his roosting at night, see if he's having trouble. If he lays on the ground (in droppings) that would be less than optimal if there are wounds. If it's badly bruised, and he will tolerate it, daily warm soaking in the salts may make him more comfortable. Some people take a medium sized rubbermaid type container for soaking, cut a hole in the lid where he can comfortably have his head and neck and shoulders out while he soaks standing. That way you can watch and supervise but not have to hold him the whole time. But a sink works fine too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The epsom salts will help with pain and swelling,

This is due to magnesium being absorbed through the skin during the soaking/bath.. according to my current understanding.