Advice on suspected bumblefoot please

[richardeblack]

Sorry about another post but the last one was getting very long.
I have read many conflicting opinions about what their run floor should be. Mine is in two 8' X 4' sections, the front one has hard packed earth which I remove faeces daily, the rear one is soft dry earth which I currently don't clean as I am avoiding going into the run during the avian flu epidemic. It doesn't get too contaminated with droppings as the chicks are fed in the front run.
I don't really want to put litter in the run if I can avoid it.
I am hoping, probably in vain, that the avian flu restrictions will be lifted fairly soon then they can go free range again.
Many thanks.
Richard

 

[richardeblack]

Here is a recipe for sugardine, and video of how to apply a dressing to the foot:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/quick-sugardine-recipe-needed.390868/

https://blog.meyerhatchery.com/2022/08/how-to-wrap-a-chickens-foot/

Thanks again for all your advice.
I have been bathing her in Epsom salts and using iodine but on thorough inspection with a friend who keeps chickens, we've come to the conclusion that her trouble walking is due to a distended abdomen rather than her feet.
She walks with her legs splayed out. Everything I've read suggests there is no treatment as she is definitely not eggbound.
Here is a video of her walking. She does not appear to be in distress and is eating well.
If you have any suggestions, the will be welcomed.
Thanks very much.
Richard.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CKtaVmDc5vDNKYRe9

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that I have not been online much as I was out of town. The Betadine is supposed to be mixed into a paste to apply with a dressing to the feet. The sugar works to help draw out infection. Could there be something in the area that is staining the foot pad? Many people use sand in their coops and run to make it softer and drain well. It is easy to just pick up solid droppings every day with a kitty litter shovel or small rake. I do think the dark patches are bumblefoot. Straw can hold water, and dampness can cause dermatitis of the feet. Droppings can sometimes scald the feet. Hopefully, the issue of AI will eventually go away, so more chickens can get outside into fresh grass more.

 

[richardeblack]

Sorry that I have not been online much as I was out of town. The Betadine is supposed to be mixed into a paste to apply with a dressing to the feet. The sugar works to help draw out infection. Could there be something in the area that is staining the foot pad? Many people use sand in their coops and run to make it softer and drain well. It is easy to just pick up solid droppings every day with a kitty litter shovel or small rake. I do think the dark patches are bumblefoot. Straw can hold water, and dampness can cause dermatitis of the feet. Droppings can sometimes scald the feet. Hopefully, the issue of AI will eventually go away, so more chickens can get outside into fresh grass more.

Thanks again.
My main concern now is her very swollen abdomen which is making it difficult for her to walk. I am loth to put her through further foot washing and treatment and the related stress while she is relatively happy. Do you have any ideas what can cause swelling of the abdomen? I know she isn't eggbound and hasn't laid since last summer. She is at least 6 years old.
Thanks for your patience.
Richard

 

[richardeblack]

Thanks again for all your advice. I have stopped treating her feet as the problem with her abdomen seems to far outweigh problems with her feet. The black marks haven't got any worse and no signs of soreness or swelling.
I will start a new topic to see if anyone has any suggestions for treatment of her swelling which has reached a point wher she can't really walk much.
Thanks again
Richard

 

[Eggcessive]

Is her lower abdomen enlarged and spongy, firm, or tight? Does it show up in a picture? It sounds like she might have ascites (water belly) or internal laying. Does she have any labored breathing? Those can be common in older hens. Ascites fluid can be drained with a large syringe and an 18 gauge needle inserted under the skin in the abdomen. Yellow fluid is confirmation of ascites. No fluid would more likely be internal laying masses. I tend to be like you as to not want to put a suffering hen through too many procedures. In post 42 of the thread below are pictures of a hen with ascites being drained with a needle:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

 

[richardeblack]

Is her lower abdomen enlarged and spongy, firm, or tight? Does it show up in a picture? It sounds like she might have ascites (water belly) or internal laying. Does she have any labored breathing? Those can be common in older hens. Ascites fluid can be drained with a large syringe and an 18 gauge needle inserted under the skin in the abdomen. Yellow fluid is confirmation of ascites. No fluid would more likely be internal laying masses. I tend to be like you as to not want to put a suffering hen through too many procedures. In post 42 of the thread below are pictures of a hen with ascites being drained with a needle:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

Thank you.
Her abdomen is very spongy. Not firm or taught.
I have seen a video of draining the fluid and am not sure that I could do it and certainly not on my own. I will try and get a needle and syringe tomorrow and pluck up the courage to have a go.
I have a short video of her abdomen here although it is worse today. She is beginning to struggle to walk at all.
Unfortunately the friend I would normally get to dispatch a hen is away at the moment.
Here is a video of her abdomen a few days ago and she is worse now. I will try and get one tomorrow.
Thank you.
Richard.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KSJyyWqgwG3CUKSL7

 

[richardeblack]

Below are a couple of Buffy's abdomen showing it very distended and that it is "squishy.
The other shows how bow legged she is.
Thanks again for all your time and help
Richard

 

[richardeblack]

Here goes again.

 

[richardeblack]

Trying again with videos of Buffy's abdomen.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eHe2u7RR1AckS3B2A
https://photos.app.goo.gl/7AvQmBDQMnuZa3ELA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pm3d64WKbkKFwcCNA
Hopefully worked this time