Hen with cracked foot

[Kalinabean]

Hi everyone,
I was taking care of my girls scaly legs last night (the constant battle) and noticed that the sole of my welsummers foot is very cracked.

Is this something that can be caused by scaly leg mites or maybe the beginnings of bumblefoot? She doesn’t appear to be in pain or discomfort when she walks but this is worrying.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi everyone,
I was taking care of my girls scaly legs last night (the constant battle) and noticed that the sole of my welsummers foot is very cracked.

Is this something that can be caused by scaly leg mites or maybe the beginnings of bumblefoot? She doesn’t appear to be in pain or discomfort when she walks but this is worrying.

View attachment 1687202

It looks like it's possibly the beginnings of Bumblefoot. I would try treating it as such using a non-invasive method first - soaking in epsom salts, dry well, apply triple antibiotic ointment or vetericyn. Wrap the foot like you would for Bumblefoot and keep her on clean dry bedding. Repeat every couple of days, inspect the foot really well.
See if that heals her up.
If she gets worse or the foot does not heal, then pursue other methods of treatment.

 

[BeachFarmForNow]

If there is a local feed store like tractor supply, go there and look for a powder that is for scraps and cuts. I don't have the bottle with me at the moment, but it helped my duck that had cut on the foot and a split beak. He is happy, healthy, and healed almost a year later now. I asked someone who worked there what I needed. Its a small white bottle, powder, and maybe one ounce. Wasn't expensive and saved my duck a lot of pain. I clean his cut with water then a qtip soaked in peroxide. And added the powder while it was wet. I kept him confined away from all others for a week and reapplied a few times a day for the first few days. It healed very fast. I am not an expert, but was raised with farm animals. Hope this information helps.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would do the daily soaks as Wyorp Rock recommended, and then apply ointment and bandaging.

 

[Kalinabean]

It looks like it's possibly the beginnings of Bumblefoot. I would try treating it as such using a non-invasive method first - soaking in epsom salts, dry well, apply triple antibiotic ointment or vetericyn. Wrap the foot like you would for Bumblefoot and keep her on clean dry bedding. Repeat every couple of days, inspect the foot really well.
See if that heals her up.
If she gets worse or the foot does not heal, then pursue other methods of treatment.

Thank you! I figured it would be something like that.
How often would you suggest I reapply the ointment and rewrap the foot?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! I figured it would be something like that.
How often would you suggest I reapply the ointment and rewrap the foot?

I would do it at least every 2 days.

 

[Kalinabean]

I would do it at least every 2 days.

Thank you so much.
If I may ask another question about another hen of mine, do you think that this case of bumblefoot would benefit from the ointment treatment or should I just straight up go with surgery? She isn’t limping and it isn’t swollen, but obviously requires some form of treatment.

 

[dawg53]

In the photo of your first post, that is not bumblefoot. There isnt any redness nor swelling.
Since you're dealing with scaly leg mites, we're going to "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak.
Buy Nu-Stock at a feed store, it should be in the equine section. Shake the tube well and apply it to the feet and legs of your scaly leg mite infected birds AND also to the footpads of the one in the first photo and second photo in your post #7 . You can wrap the foot with the Nu-Stock if you wish and reapply it if necessary in 3 days on the bird in the first photo and second photo. Apply the Nu-Stock to ALL roosts as well.
Make sure you wear disposable gloves when applying the Nu-Stock.
I also recommend lowering roosts and sanding them down with sandpaper, 3 or 4 swipes with the sandpaper ought to do it. Do this first before putting Nu-Stock on them.

 

[Kalinabean]

Hi everyone! Very late update, I treated both hens the same and cleaned, disinfected and wrapped the feet. Worked a charm and both hens feet were healed in no time!
Thanks so much for your help

 

[AmyJane725]

Hi everyone! Very late update, I treated both hens the same and cleaned, disinfected and wrapped the feet. Worked a charm and both hens feet were healed in no time!
Thanks so much for your help

So glad they made a quick recovery.

What med did you end up putting on the feet? The triple antibiotic ointment, vetericyn or the Nu stock?