Bumblefoot question

[Rand111]

Hello,

Wanted to check with the more experienced people on here about our ducks. We've been dealing with a widespread bumblefoot issue for the last 2 weeks. We have 6 ducks and 5 of them have moderate/severe cases and 1 mild. All seem to be still healthy, running around, eating normally and still laying. Unfortunately no avian vets or farm vets around to help.

We've been doing daily epsom salt soaks with iodine mixed in, bandaging feet in neosporin and ichthammol drawing salve. After about 10 days, about 1/2 of the black scabs have come off. It looks like underneath the scabs there is another layer that is yellowish/light brown instead of a "hole". I tried to squeeze or manipulate this out but it is not budging and feels hard, although the base of the area that is swollen is soft. The swelling overall looks reduced in all the lesions but I don't see the "hole" that should be there after the kernel comes out from other posts. Wondering if we should just continue the course with what we are doing or be more aggressive in trying to get to actual tissue by forcing this second layer out? I'm assuming this yellowish brown layer is a newer layer of infection?

Thanks!

 

[kaumlauf]

I'm not a pro. But, are your ducks kept on a rough surface, like bricks or cinderblock? This could be causing the bumblefoot. Also, a dirty environment can also. Feces carry the staff bacteria that causes bumblefoot. Staff can infect you too, so please wear gloves when handling the feet. Bumblefoot can return even if it's cleared up. People have recommended pulling the hard yellow core out, with tweezers. See some youtube videos first. But wait till more expert people give you advice before doing anything, except watching the videos. I hope this helps. I have 2 chickens with bumblefoot, and I could not cure it. They are simply living life with a limp. They seem happy enough.

 

[Rand111]

I'm not a pro. But, are your ducks kept on a rough surface, like bricks or cinderblock? This could be causing the bumblefoot. Also, a dirty environment can also. Feces carry the staff bacteria that causes bumblefoot. Staff can infect you too, so please wear gloves when handling the feet. Bumblefoot can return even if it's cleared up. People have recommended pulling the hard yellow core out, with tweezers. See some youtube videos first. But wait till more expert people give you advice before doing anything, except watching the videos. I hope this helps. I have 2 chickens with bumblefoot, and I could not cure it. They are simply living life with a limp. They seem happy enough.

Thanks for thr reply. Yeah we were idiots and had them on a run with quarter sized gravel. We've since changed it to pea gravel and straw and doing deep litter method.

 

[kaumlauf]

ah, that explains something. Well, you live and learn. Good luck. If your ducks are getting around more or less OK, without a lot of struggle, you might just leave it alone.