Bumblefoot: lethargic, dark purple comb, minimal appetite- Help!

[Gezellige_Poes]

That’s fantastic thank you so much! Are they alive once out? Silly question as they don’t eat their own feces but do I have to worry about the chickens eating them?

Hmmmm, I honestly don't know, but here is a great article that talks about the benefits of clay including parasite cleanse: https://parasitecleansers.com/more-remedies/bentonite-clay/. And here is a read that compares using clay v. diatomaceous earth: https://greendiatomics.com/bentonite-clay-vs-diatomaceous-earth-for-parasites/

Of note, don't use a metal spoon when dispensing clay as the metal can affect the efficacy of the clay.

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Revisiting how clay actually rids the body of parasites. I relayed what was told to me decades ago and it made sense. Reading about this further, the clay apparently absorbs the parasites as it passes through the body and then out, taking the parasites with it. I do not know whether any parasites would ever survive this.

In my personal experience, adding clay to my chickens' diet also greatly helped their poop, even the cecal which we all know has one of the most pungent smells on the planet!

 

[charlie1051]

Revisiting how clay actually rids the body of parasites. I relayed what was told to me decades ago and it made sense. Reading about this further, the clay apparently absorbs the parasites as it passes through the body and then out, taking the parasites with it. I do not know whether any parasites would ever survive this.

In my personal experience, adding clay to my chickens' diet also greatly helped their poop, even the cecal which we all know has one of the most pungent smells on the planet!

This is really interesting. How do you add the clay to their food? Sorry if this was already talked about. What kind of clay and how much do you use? I have so many questions

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

This is really interesting. How do you add the clay to their food? Sorry if this was already talked about. What kind of clay and how much do you use? I have so many questions

Clay is one of Nature's many gifts! I could talk about this all day long!

To answer your immediate questions, I add clay to my bird food two ways: sprinkle it over dry feed, or add to feed mash (watered down feed). As far as the amount, for 2 hens, I add about a tsp to softened mash, you can just sprinkle on top or mix in. I generally leave it on top to make sure they ingest enough of it, as my hens do not always eat all their softened mash, and,... I don't leave mash out more than a few hours. I found leaving it out longer and it starts to ferment and kind of turn gross. I wouldn't want to eat it after a few hours, so don't expect my hens to. LOL For their dry feed, you can do the same thing, just sprinkle some on top.

I had a hen with bumblefoot. I soaked her foot and was able to remove the bumblefoot, then I created a stiff paste with the clay, packed that into the hole where the bumblefoot was, wrapped her foot with nonstick tape, and off she went. The bumblefoot never returned, she never had an infection. And the good thing about the clay is that if she pecked at her foot and ingested any of the clay, no damage done unlike chemical meds that should not be ingested. She actually never messed with the bandage either, she was probably so relieved to be rid of the bumblefoot. I cannot imagine walking on something like that!

This is the clay I use: https://www.good-earthstore.com/ter...orillonite-clay-by-california-earth-minerals/

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

To add to my last comment. The clay I currently have on hand is this one:
https://www.good-earthstore.com/nutramin-for-all-animals-fish-2-lbs-by-california-earth-minerals/