Bumble foot in Guineas

Well winter is moving along up here in north central MN. Last month all the birds - guineas and peacocks decided they were going to pull an iron man competition and refuse to come in the keep after our first big snow fall. This went on for about 5 nights and then most of them came in. Two guineas were hold outs. It took about 8 days total but finally got them inside too. I seriously debated if I could shoot a paint gun close enough to them to scare them out of the trees but I opted not.....

Anyway. Tonight I was raking soiled straw out of the keep and one of the buggers shot past me and out of the coop. He sat outside for awhile and while attempting to catch his froggy behind I noticed he had some large lumpy areas on both feet - concentrated toward the toes. He decided he'd do the 40 ft tree hop again so I turned my attention back to the coop cleaning. While continuing this effort I saw another one with the same lumpy type areas but his are concentrated more toward the 'ankle' of the leg.

He doesn't move around a lot in the coop - he is eating and drinking - but I believe I could catch him if needed. Mr Air Jordan Guinea might be catchable once he comes out of the trees.

I'm still researching on internet but what is anyone else's experience with this? Do I need to pull these two out from the rest of the gang and keep them isolated?

Thanks

It could just be dirt/poo, but I would catch them and scrub their feet (a bucket of water, a scrubby brush, and a helper would be ideal) to see what you're dealing with. I've never heard of a guinea with bumblefoot though! It'd be daunting for sure to work on them

Thanks - I'm still researching and now I wonder if it might be scaly mites? I haven't seen the actual bump that seems to go with bumblefoot - I will capture and go from there. Looks like scaly mites is possible even in these winter temps. More tomorrow. Say a prayer we don't put the bird(s) through too much trauma. They are goofy and I fuss at them for being so stubborn but I love my little helmet heads!! <3

Another thought - can they dust in the food grade Diatomaceous Earth? I can scoop some dirt up in the coop yard to mix with but wondered if that is okay for them to dust in? I don't want to use Sevin or anything like that - don't trust it with the birds plus it kills honey bees - so trying to stay completely away from that stuff. Thanks

I found that the best mite/lice dust bathing "recipe" is to make it a quarter DE, a quarter ashes (fireplace has good ashes), and half mud. You should try it. Also VetRX has a poultry and cage bird medicine that works for most mites. You rub it in roosts and the legs of the birds.

Mistahbue said:

Another thought - can they dust in the food grade Diatomaceous Earth? I can scoop some dirt up in the coop yard to mix with but wondered if that is okay for them to dust in? I don't want to use Sevin or anything like that - don't trust it with the birds plus it kills honey bees - so trying to stay completely away from that stuff. Thanks

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Excellent advice, well done Mistahbue

Thanks to all for the input. I lost one of the 2 worst cases last week. Escaped the coop, went to catch her and spooked her. She flew up to perch on a tree and couldn't grasp the tree limb. Fell into the dog lot. I got to her before they made a meal of her. She had minimal injuries and appeared to perk up for a few moments after I picked her up and brought her inside. I held her to calm her but she passed in my arms. I guess it was a combination of the fall, the dogs grabbing her, and the shock of it all.

So today we finally managed to nab bad legs #2 and are heading to the vet. I truly suspect they have frost bite. 3 or 4 were very stubborn the last time we let them out to get some sunshine and grazing since cold weather arrived. 2 of them ended up in the trees for almost 5 days while we had 0 and a few nights below 0 temps. Based on the looks of her legs I believe her feet are literally going to come off.

I'm committed to building her a separate run if her feet fall off and she isn't in pain but I just don't know how that wouldn't hurt like hell.

I love my helmet heads. We lost 2 this fall during the day while they were ranging in the back yard. Later found evidence of foxes on trail camera. Those 2 seemed to be "runts" so I suspect they didn't have full protection of the flock at all times thus an easy snatch and grab from the woodline.

Who knew these birds would break my heart.

The rest seem fine compared to these two. Forgot to mention it. And they like the DE for a dust dip too. I'm going to have yo get another bag to keep their dusting hole filled

Whenever my guineas go up the trees I poke them down with a pool stick. If you poke from the dog yard they should go down the opposite way. I found that after I clipped the ringleader's wings no one went up trees. And another thought - you could make socks for them if their feet get cold.

I would poke them down but the old trees around give them branches 20-25 ft off ground. But I will remember the pool cue idea if they head toward lower limbs.

Vet confirmed frostbite and we put her down. We will bury her and the other bird in the pet area come spring.

The good news in this is the others have no frostbite and have plenty of DE to stay dusted for winter.

I bought some oats and frozen veggies at grocery store, along with fresh parsley. The remaining birds will get a treat tomorrow with their millet.

Thanks y'all.