I really appreciate this post. I was trying to tap back into my veterinary technician skills after trying to remember if chickens have thick “cheese like” pus and in fact they do! Just like rabbits, their white blood cells lack an enzyme called myeloperoxidase which makes the pus more liquid like when present like it is in mammals. I have a hen who stepped on a nail and her wound healed up before it killed the bacteria… so needless to say we have an abscess to treat and this will be helpful! Thank you.
Bumble Foot Treatment
- Author Kglassmo
- Publish date
- Article read time 2 min read
Kglassmo
Typically do not include photography in scientific research articles, just tables, data and facts studied and correlated over time. But i understand that photos are helpful to ppl who have never seen or dealt with certain conditions.
Here’s what Bumblefoot really is (always hated that name): chronic inflammation of plantar metatarsal and or digital pads of foot (pododermatitis). Once inflammation sets it, skin and immune system weakens thus allowing opportunistic bacteria inside open sores. It’s usually staph which once inside skin is hard to cure as it is a facultative type of bacteria and has become immune to a variety of antibiotics. That’s what salt solutions (epsom, table salt, magnesium salts) work well to cleanse foot pads and loosen granuloma. Chlorhexidine wash, tea tree oils and Manuka honey work to treat because staph cannot become immune to those treatments.
As a researcher saw it heavily in commercial broiler flocks due to their selective/genetic breeding for obesity in breast tissue, and thus predisposition for hip dysplasia and general foot pad inflammation from unsanitary, crowded housing. Saw way too many birds euthanized or left untreated, because that was cheaper option. So, check your flock regularly if you’ve got heavy breeds, or wet run conditions. Prevention is always best, but understanding how to recognize symptoms helps too. Take care.
Here’s what Bumblefoot really is (always hated that name): chronic inflammation of plantar metatarsal and or digital pads of foot (pododermatitis). Once inflammation sets it, skin and immune system weakens thus allowing opportunistic bacteria inside open sores. It’s usually staph which once inside skin is hard to cure as it is a facultative type of bacteria and has become immune to a variety of antibiotics. That’s what salt solutions (epsom, table salt, magnesium salts) work well to cleanse foot pads and loosen granuloma. Chlorhexidine wash, tea tree oils and Manuka honey work to treat because staph cannot become immune to those treatments.
As a researcher saw it heavily in commercial broiler flocks due to their selective/genetic breeding for obesity in breast tissue, and thus predisposition for hip dysplasia and general foot pad inflammation from unsanitary, crowded housing. Saw way too many birds euthanized or left untreated, because that was cheaper option. So, check your flock regularly if you’ve got heavy breeds, or wet run conditions. Prevention is always best, but understanding how to recognize symptoms helps too. Take care.
Has good info, but could use some formatting like article sections and paragraph breaks.
It also needs pictures - you're allowed to use any pictures on BYC, so you can find pictures and add them. It's nice to get the picture owner's permission first, but posting a picture on BYC gives BYC rights to use it. So you can use pictures that aren't yours in this article.
If you update it, tag me and I'll come back and update my rating
It also needs pictures - you're allowed to use any pictures on BYC, so you can find pictures and add them. It's nice to get the picture owner's permission first, but posting a picture on BYC gives BYC rights to use it. So you can use pictures that aren't yours in this article.
If you update it, tag me and I'll come back and update my rating
Kglassmo
Thanks. I’m not comfortable using other ppls photos. I started blogging here 4 yrs ago to help support farther away poultry caregivers over COVID isolation as best I could. I’m not one for reviews, not on any social media platforms. Sorry what I wrote was lacking pics. I remember why I stopped posting now.
I find this platform not user friendly when you’re working from mobile; paragraph form is not always easy to format when you’re not on PC. And ppl are quick with negative feedback.
Literally, just trying to help poultry folks as I’m able. I’m a mom of 4 human kids, teacher and have a flock of 25 mixed breed chickens, work as wildlife rehabber for birds as well.. I don’t care how you rate me. Facts are facts. I’ve been raising chickens for over 40 yrs and was so enthusiastic I tried to help folks here with my own experiences, and on the field while I treat local community flocks when no avian vet can be afforded by those families.
I find this platform not user friendly when you’re working from mobile; paragraph form is not always easy to format when you’re not on PC. And ppl are quick with negative feedback.
Literally, just trying to help poultry folks as I’m able. I’m a mom of 4 human kids, teacher and have a flock of 25 mixed breed chickens, work as wildlife rehabber for birds as well.. I don’t care how you rate me. Facts are facts. I’ve been raising chickens for over 40 yrs and was so enthusiastic I tried to help folks here with my own experiences, and on the field while I treat local community flocks when no avian vet can be afforded by those families.
Kglassmo
I’m sorry I don’t have pics, my hens have been healthy for years after I moved them to higher ground. I help educate and treat others flocks now, ill try to take pics next time I’m on the field but usually I’m just focusing on the procedure not pictures. Don’t have pics of recent egg binding treatments either. When you’re in the moment you’re just trying to heal the hen. 
Kglassmo
I’m a retired poultry microbiologist formerly ARS, USDA; I don’t usually post formal scientific articles here, just trying to use lay-persons terms. A few of my heavier hens had bumble foot years ago thus no pix. I wasn’t thinking about taking pics while I was treating them. I’m sorry. I’ve not had any incidents since I moved my flock to higher ground with less moisture. I tried to explain after care by mentioning maintenance of keeping foot and habitat clean, etc. I agree it’s best to be less invasive while treating which is why I said not to cut too deep or cause stress to your bird(s).
Be careful about which ointments you apply because they most likely will be ingested by birds being treated or other flock members picking at fallen bandages. I recommend non toxic tea tree oil as additional antiseptic or Manuka honey as wound ointment while treating/healing. My avian vet agreed with both those options. Thanks for your input.
Be careful about which ointments you apply because they most likely will be ingested by birds being treated or other flock members picking at fallen bandages. I recommend non toxic tea tree oil as additional antiseptic or Manuka honey as wound ointment while treating/healing. My avian vet agreed with both those options. Thanks for your input.
I find hot compresses very useful when lancing and expressing my elderly rabbits dental abscess. He’s used to it now he is relieved afterwards.
Hot compress also good to loosen up bumble foot granulomas on hens. Just never make them too hot for the animal to bear. I test on my wrist (old fashioned, baby bottle test).
I’ve sprayed dilute hydrogen peroxide onto wound out of desperation in past, once pus begins to express, H2O2 will help bubble out thick pus, but only a little peroxide spray because it damages healthy skin and is very uncomfortable for any animal. (It saved my rabbits life, he’s over 7 yrs now). Always rinse with clean water warm water, pat dry and apply Manuka honey. Regular honey helps too if you don’t have Manuka available. Good luck!