A flock with bumblefoot: Journey back to health

[deacons]

Hi everyone, just thought I would pop back on to this thread with an update on the girls. I just did my first spring "foot check," and everyone is still bumblefoot free. It was a long, hard winter for the girls, and they are sure enjoying being back out in the fields, scratching around in the leaves and dirt and catching those first spring bugs. I'm going to continue on with Monday night foot checks, as I am more than convinced its worth it to catch any possible bumblefoot issues sooner rather than later.

Some of the girls enjoying the first spring days:

 

[slordaz]

one thing I might suggest is something I use on not only my pets but myself and my kids:

I get an 8 ounce bottle of virgin olive oil and put it in a glass jar then slice in a clove of garlic, close it up and agitate it 1-2 times a day for 3-5 days . Strain the garlic out and put the infused oil in a dark glass jar for storage. I go through about 2 of these a year and have not had them go bad as long as they are out of the light and closed tightly.

We have used it for ear mites on the dogs and foot pad injuries, and I usually add a couple of drops into their food 1 time a month, they don't seem to ever get worms and it appears to keep the fleas and ticks away too.

On us we have used it for ear and tooth aches, and even tried it when felt the starting of a sinus infection

The oil will help soften while the garlic helps to boost immune so they can better fight getting an infection. I noticed when I used it for the tooth ache it mildly numbed the area so it was not throbbing.

 

[CC1892]

Hi everyone, just thought I would pop back on to this thread with an update on the girls. I just did my first spring "foot check," and everyone is still bumblefoot free. It was a long, hard winter for the girls, and they are sure enjoying being back out in the fields, scratching around in the leaves and dirt and catching those first spring bugs. I'm going to continue on with Monday night foot checks, as I am more than convinced its worth it to catch any possible bumblefoot issues sooner rather than later.

Some of the girls enjoying the first spring days:

 

[deacons]

@CC1892 - sorry you had such a nasty case of bumblefoot to deal with, but glad you were able to get it cleared up. Extra glad that this thread was helpful! I still consider myself a novice with chickens, but am really happy that sharing details of this experience could be useful to someone else. All the more experienced members of this forum are such a great resource!

 

[CC1892]

Hello deacons!
You went to a lot of trouble to post day to day treatment with photos.
Plus you had some great ideas when I ran out of them....
I rarely post anything but I just had to let you know your hard work was
a great help to me. I've only owned chickens for 4 years, and nearly
every week it's been a learning experience.

Thanks so much!

 

[vivaciouswoman]

Ideally you want to get big enough to go around the black scab + a 1 mm margin (or larger if you can feel the kernel below). When I have used these on parrots that have been abused (improper perches causing foot issues) I've gotten a size or 2 larger than I think as well as a size or 2 smaller than I think. That way you know you have the right size somewhere in there. They aren't too expensive.

I know this is a pretty old thread, but it’s exactly what I’m facing...with 50+ chickens!!!!!!! So: punches and curettes that are sharp and effective, and NOT too expensive: where do you find those???