Is this bumblefoot ?

[Mr_Bear]

Hello to all of you chicken enthusiast !

I was hoping my first post on this forum would be something more positive, but I have a bit of a problem with one of my hens.

I try not to pick the chickens up too often because I don't like to create stressful situations for them. I moved my flock to a new coop today. Since transferring them meant I had to catch each of them, it created a perfect opportunity to check them over and assess their health.

All of the birds looked fine but one hen. Looking at her feet I noticed something that looked similar to the photos I've seen on this forum before. I'm still a newbie at healing chickens and wanted to verify before I do more harm than good.

Below I attached a photo of the foot. It is a little muddy, for which I apologize (the girls had a field day today). That dark scab looking thing feels hard to the touch.

Is it bumblefoot? If so, should I try to "operate" or go a less invasive route ?


Regards

 

[nuthatched]

I'm having a hard time seeing what part of the foot that is, is it the side of the toe?
Try cleaning off the mud a bit.
Checking them over on the roosts at night is easier than catching them.

 

[picklestheduck]

It looks like bumblefoot to me. I would personally go less invasive first. Soak in epsom salt for 15 mins and then try to pull the scab off, if that doesn’t pull off put neosporin in it without pain relief and wrap the foot with vetwrap. If the scab/plug does come out pack the hole/wound with neosporin without pain relief and wrap with vetwrap. You can wrap a piece of gauze in there if you like too. Make sure the bird stays in a dry clean environment during healing.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Yes, that looks like bumblefoot. Is she limping or is there swelling. When I treat for bumblefoot, I prefer a non-surgical method. https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment-html/
I soak the foot in a warm epsom salt bath for about 10 min. and then use tweezers to peel off the scab and any core that might be there. If the scab doesn't come off easily, it isn't ready. I then fill the hole with triple antibiotic that doesn't contain pain killers, top with a tiny piece of gauze and wrap the foot in a piece of vet wrap for 2-3 days (not tightly). My patient stays with the flock and usually I don't re-treat the foot, but just remove the bandage at the end of 3 days. I've found that mild cases will often resolve themselves without treatment.

 

[Mr_Bear]

I'm having a hard time seeing what part of the foot that is, is it the side of the toe?
Try cleaning off the mud a bit.
Checking them over on the roosts at night is easier than catching them.

Sorry for the bad photos. I was alone at the time and trying to take a photo of an agitated hen proved to be quite a challenge.

The area is that "cushion" between the toes. Hopefully that other photo shows it better. I can try to go out there tomorrow and clean it with water for better visibility.

EDIT: I should mention that I'm not from US, so many of drugs might not be available here in EU or they have a different name. I can't seem to find Neosporin but there are some alternative drugs. Is there specific active ingredient I need to look for, or maybe something that the drug shouldn't contain ?

 

[nuthatched]

Sorry for the bad photos. I was alone at the time and trying to take a photo of an agitated hen proved to be quite a challenge.

The area is that "cushion" between the toes. Hopefully that other photo shows it better. I can try to go out there tomorrow and clean it with water for better visibility.

Ah, ok, yes it's bumblefoot. You have received great advice. :]

 

[Mr_Bear]

Thank you all for quick and great advice !

 

[MarlaMac]

Sorry for the bad photos. I was alone at the time and trying to take a photo of an agitated hen proved to be quite a challenge.

The area is that "cushion" between the toes. Hopefully that other photo shows it better. I can try to go out there tomorrow and clean it with water for better visibility.

EDIT: I should mention that I'm not from US, so many of drugs might not be available here in EU or they have a different name. I can't seem to find Neosporin but there are some alternative drugs. Is there specific active ingredient I need to look for, or maybe something that the drug shouldn't contain ?

Generic here in the USA is simply called triple antibiotic ointment - you want the ointment w/out pain killers. Mine says polymyxin, bacitracin and neomycin. Good luck.

 

[Mr_Bear]

Generic here in the USA is simply called triple antibiotic ointment - you want the ointment w/out pain killers.

Perfect, thank you.