Swollen Feet

[Mebrou]

Hi all!

I just noticed this girl’s feet. They look a bit swollen. When compared to the others, they’re definitely larger. It’s not bumblefoot because her pads are clean. She’s completely fine and has never been sick or injured, I just happened to notice this evening. Do they look normal or could this be scaley leg mites or something else? Not sure if it’s worth noting that they free range all day.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Tookie]

One of my hens has more swollen feet than the others too, and is acting normal as well. So she's probably fine but just keep an eye on her!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is it my imagination, my device, or ... do her feet look a little greenish right where the toes join together at the joint? If so, that could indicate bruising. Let me ask @Eggcessive and @azygous what they think.

It wouldn't hurt to thoroughly grease up her legs with Vaseline, cocoa butter or some other thick grease every night after she goes to roost, from the toes up as high as you can, just in case she does have scaley leg mites. Do this every night for 5 to 7 nights. This will suffocate the little beggars but the scales on her legs won't look better till the old scales fall off and are replaced. Can you treat all your chickens at the same time? Otherwise she'll just get reinfested.

 

[Eggcessive]

Many people use Vicks (menthol) on leg mites to kill the mites, and reapply it 2-3 times a week until new scales grow in. Rub it in well. Other good oils are Nustock cream, mineral, castor oil or vaseline. Is she having problems walking or jumping up and down from roosts? Bacterial arthritis and gout can can be causes of swelling of feet and legs. Time will tell, but treat for leg mites first.

 

[katrobin]

Is it my imagination, my device, or ... do her feet look a little greenish right where the toes join together at the joint? If so, that could indicate bruising. Let me ask @Eggcessive and @azygous what they think.

It wouldn't hurt to thoroughly grease up her legs with Vaseline, cocoa butter or some other thick grease every night after she goes to roost, from the toes up as high as you can, just in case she does have scaley leg mites. Do this every night for 5 to 7 nights. This will suffocate the little beggars but the scales on her legs won't look better till the old scales fall off and are replaced. Can you treat all your chickens at the same time? Otherwise she'll just get reinfested.

I have been treating with Epsom salt soaks and Vaseline for 5 days. Not seeing any difference. Also she acts like her feet and legs hurt when I apply the Vaseline. Os there anything I can put on her feet to soothe them and relieve discomfort?

 

[katrobin]

I have been treating with Epsom salt soaks and Vaseline for 5 days. Not seeing any difference. Also she acts like her feet and legs hurt when I apply the Vaseline. Os there anything I can put on her feet to soothe them and relieve discomfort?

Picture

 

[Mebrou]

Is it my imagination, my device, or ... do her feet look a little greenish right where the toes join together at the joint? If so, that could indicate bruising. Let me ask @Eggcessive and @azygous what they think.

It wouldn't hurt to thoroughly grease up her legs with Vaseline, cocoa butter or some other thick grease every night after she goes to roost, from the toes up as high as you can, just in case she does have scaley leg mites. Do this every night for 5 to 7 nights. This will suffocate the little beggars but the scales on her legs won't look better till the old scales fall off and are replaced. Can you treat all your chickens at the same time? Otherwise she'll just get reinfested.

I think it’s just the gray tint to her legs. I don’t see any green whatsoever. I may treat for mites as a precaution. Also see the response I’m about to post to the other comment asking about the roosts. I’m wondering if she’s just so heavy she may have jumped too hard?

 

[Mebrou]

Many people use Vicks (menthol) on leg mites to kill the mites, and reapply it 2-3 times a week until new scales grow in. Rub it in well. Other good chipotle’s are Nustock cream, mineral, castor oil or vaseline. Is she having problems walking or jumping up and down from roosts? Bacterial arthritis and gout can can be causes of swelling of feet and legs. Time will tell, but treat for leg mites first.

It’s funny you asked about the roost because it jogged my memory. A while back I remember she (or her twin?) would be the last one left on the top or second-to-top roost. I thought perhaps she just couldn’t see well with the curtains drawn but I’m wondering if she was having difficulty getting down. They’re both very heavy girls. She now sleeps on the first few roosts. Again, I’m not sure if it was her or her sister. I’ll attach a picture of the roosts but I did the recommended spacing of 12”-15” up and over. I don’t recall the exact measurement I went with but it was within the recommendation.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would just keep applying an oil to the legs. Ivermectin pour on 5 mg per ml can be used as well as a topical treatment on the back of the neck over the spine. Dosage is 1 ml for every 2 pounds of weight. Repeat in 2 weeks.

 

[Mebrou]

Many people use Vicks (menthol) on leg mites to kill the mites, and reapply it 2-3 times a week until new scales grow in. Rub it in well. Other good oils are Nustock cream, mineral, castor oil or vaseline. Is she having problems walking or jumping up and down from roosts? Bacterial arthritis and gout can can be causes of swelling of feet and legs. Time will tell, but treat for leg mites first.

Actually, I just picked her up and noticed her two little back toes are pretty hard near the nails. Nails are intact and everything seems fine. I’ll have to inspect her more thoroughly to see if any infection or opening, but they’re both hard. I grabbed another girl and her toes are soft/normal so I’m wondering if that is the culprit. Not sure how both her two back toes would be the only ones hard like that but I’ll inspect further and report back. Thanks!