Diseases Common to Silkies
- Scaly Leg mite (Cnemidocoptes mutans) Scaly Leg Mite is a parasite common to many silkies, and may be due in part to the leg feathering making them a more attractive
- Marek’s disease.
- Water on the brain.
What are the most common Silkie foot diseases? Foot diseases are among the most common problems encountered by silkies of which scaly leg mite, bumblefoot, and overgrown toenails are among the most common.
Do Silkies make good pets? Though they may not be the most intelligent of the chicken breeds, silkies make up for it by being the most gentle and sweet. They are extremely laid-back and easy-going, so they make great pets, even for those who are not used to chickens. This is why they are one of the most common chickens for 4-H kids and petting zoos.
Why does my Silkie have a lot of dust? In the fall months, chickens usually replace most, if not all, of their feathers, and thus, produce lots of feather shafts which in turn flake off and produce lots of dust. Young silkies also go through periods of molting as they grow and gain their adult feathers. Are they rabbits or chickens?
Where do Silkies come from? Although their origins are shrouded by time, we know they originated somewhere in China or Asia a very long time ago. They may look like a new-fangled fad breed, but silkies are one of the few ancient chicken breeds we still have around today.
silkie chicken health problems
What diseases are common to silkie chickens? Silkies are unfortunately prone to a few different poultry diseases. In this article, Lawrence provides some information on diseases that he has found are common to the Silkie chickens. Scaly Leg Mite is a parasite common to many silkies and may partly be due to the leg feathering, making them a more attractive option than a clean legged bird.
Are silkie chickens easy to take care of? Yes, Silkie chickens are pretty easy to care for. These chickens require similar care to other chickens. Silkies are hardy, and they are also highly cold-tolerant birds, unlike other chicken breeds. You will hardly lose your Silkie chickens in winter due to freezing or frostbite.
Do silkie chickens get mites? Susceptible to lice and mites. While all chickens can get lice and mites silkies seem to have more problem with them than other breeds. I provide my silkies with a special dust bath mixture that helps prevent these problems but they still seem to get them from time to time.
Do silky chickens have dirty feet? Silkies have heavily feathered legs and feet and if there’s one thing that fluffy chicken feet get, it’s dirty! If the chickens have access to mud it’s even worse! Dirt tends to ball up or mat itself around foot feathers causing discomfort for the chicken. This will need carefully trimmed out or soaked till soft then removed.
What are the most common Silkie foot diseases?
What kind of feet does a Silkie have? Silkies have feathered feet with five toes on each foot rather than four as in other bird species. Foot diseases are among the most common problems encountered by silkies of which scaly leg mite, bumblefoot, and overgrown toenails are among the most common.
What diseases are common to silkie chickens? Silkies are unfortunately prone to a few different poultry diseases. In this article, Lawrence provides some information on diseases that he has found are common to the Silkie chickens. Scaly Leg Mite is a parasite common to many silkies and may partly be due to the leg feathering, making them a more attractive option than a clean legged bird.
What is wrong with my Silkie’s feet? Normal silkie feet scales are smooth and the scales lie flat. When the birds have scaly leg mite infestation, the scales are uneven, crusty, and even raised and the skin will be thickened. If this becomes severe, the heavy crusting can start interfering with normal flexion of the joints resulting in lameness and deformity.
Are Silkies prone to Marek’s disease? Unfortunately, silkies are prone to Marek’s disease, and it has been suggested that the dark eye of the silkie contributes to its susceptibility although this has never been firmly proved. That said, it is still not a common disease and many silkie problems are attributed to it – the only sure diagnosis is post mortem by a veterinary surgeon.