Swollen, Bleeding Feet and Raw Breast w/pics

[Trixy23]

Thank you all for reading. (Pictures are attached below.)

We inherited dozens of chickens and don't have details on age or breed.

This particular chicken seems to be an idea weight compared to the rest. He is the only one in the coop with this issue. Both of his feet have been swollen since I met him weeks ago. I put a camera in the coop. When it was below zero temps, this guy kept jumping off of his perch and shaking his legs. I could tell he was distressed. (We don't live at the property these chickens do...yet) The next morning, I drove over to check on them. This guy was still on his perch all by himself. He was laying on his belly and couldn't hold his head up. His beak was frozen shut by the tiniest drop of condensation. I wrapped him up and held him and he has been living in an indoor room, which is set at about 55 degrees. I noticed blood on the towel he was on, and that's when I noticed the blood on his feet, and on his underbelly it looks raw. Not like he's been pecked, but raw like a rug burn.

The first day he wouldn't eat or drink, wouldn't open his eyes, and couldn't hold his head up. I thought he was gone, but he was breathing. I gave him an Epsom salt bath for his feet and had to hold his head up from touching the water. I dried his feet, poured some Vetericyn over them, and lathered Neosporin on them. (I havent done anything for his belly yet.)

Day 2: Still in his heated penthouse. Another Epson salt bath, Vetericyn, Neosporin. He ate and drank water!!!!! He was also a little more alert. Has a little bit of runny poop, no blood.)

Day 3: He squaked at me when I picked him up. (I was so happy!) Still in his heated penthouse. Another, Epsom salt bath, Vetericyn, and Neosporin. He ate multiple times and sucked down water. More alert today than even yesterday! Poop still a tad bit runny, but seems a little better. (He has no manners, he pooed in his bath.)

He's getting better!!! It's like a miracle! But he still needs help. He can stand up. He wobbles around. I think because his feet are in such rough shape and hurt.

I can see a little bit of the scaling on his feel lifting in one spot.

I've included pics from today, which is after 3 days of a bath, Vetericyn, and Neosporin. Is this bumblefoot? There's no scab? The top looks like there's black spots thought. Is it a combination of frost bite and bumblefoot? Someone told me if he has nubby feet, whoich he does, they may have gotten frost bite the prior year. Is this true? Why in the world would be have a raw-like belly?

Before the cold snap this past week, we closed off all drafts in the coop these guys came with. We applied a good amount/layers of straw in the coop and a heat lamp (it's crazy secure, we will change this soon, but didnt want to mistep since this was our first few weeks being chicken parents.)I think multiple birds got frost bite on their combs anyway.

I called 5 places in our area, and none of the vets I called will look at our chicken. The closest is a vet school, which is almost 2 hours away. (We may still make an appointment there, but I'd like to learn to help these chickens on my own...and help others if needed.

Please see his photos. (We tried to get several angles of both feet and one of this belly.) I'd like to thank you all in advance for trying to help this little guy and providing any advice. I envy his strong will. He's an amazing creature.

Warmest Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

What is your location? It looks like he has had frostbite in the past and has lost toe tips. Once they get frostbite, they can be more vulnerable. You are doing the right thing to keep the bedding dry, and soak his feet in warm Epsom salts. The Neosporin could possibly freeze, though and make the frostbite worse. He also may have gout because of his very large puffy feet, so his feet may be pretty sore. It can take a few weeks to see the extent of his frostbite damage.

Since his feet have been sore, he may have been spending more time on the roost or lying on the ground which causes a pressure sore, called a breast blister. Treatment would be to use a disinfectant on the area, and watch for an abscess.

 

[Trixy23]

What is your location? It looks like he has had frostbite in the past and has lost toe tips. Once they get frostbite, they can be more vulnerable. You are doing the right thing to keep the bedding dry, and soak his feet in warm Epsom salts. The Neosporin could possibly freeze, though and make the frostbite worse. He also may have gout because of his very large puffy feet, so his feet may be pretty sore. It can take a few weeks to see the extent of his frostbite damage.

Since his feet have been sore, he may have been spending more time on the roost or lying on the ground which causes a pressure sore, called a breast blister. Treatment would be to use a disinfectant on the area, and watch for an abscess.

What is your location? It looks like he has had frostbite in the past and has lost toe tips. Once they get frostbite, they can be more vulnerable. You are doing the right thing to keep the bedding dry, and soak his feet in warm Epsom salts. The Neosporin could possibly freeze, though and make the frostbite worse. He also may have gout because of his very large puffy feet, so his feet may be pretty sore. It can take a few weeks to see the extent of his frostbite damage.

Since his feet have been sore, he may have been spending more time on the roost or lying on the ground which causes a pressure sore, called a breast blister. Treatment would be to use a disinfectant on the area, and watch for an abscess.

Eggscessive,

I cannot thank you enough for replying to my message. I've read your post about half dozen times. I've spent countless hours online searching for answers, and you have provided the most clarity. You've given me answers i haven't found anywhere else. I took your advice and purchased a poultry disinfectant spray. I'm also going to see what I can obtain in terms of a medication to help with the gout. I also read to give him food with lesser protein to help with gout. I've been on a mission since your reply.

We are located in Wisconsin. Last week, it got to be about -30 with the wind chill factor. I've learned when it get thats cold, we need more protection and insulation than what we have now. I have a feeling these chickens will have a nice setup in the next couple of months. We inherited these critters and I don't think they were really taken care of. Covering up the windows, other openings, and a heat lamp just wasn't enough.

I hope you have a beautiful rest of your weekend, and thank you again for your time and knowledge.