Anyone know what causes this? Impacted Pockets in chickens toe webbing

[Devon2440]

I need help since I cannot find any information on what this is. I can only find info on bumblefoot, and I feel this is not a case of bumblefoot.

I have noticed particularly on my 3 year old barred rock hen that the webbing between their some of their toes was enlarged. I thought maybe they had been injured and it was swelling. One closer examination it appears that pockets holding impacted dirt and manure have formed in the toe webbing. By gently pushing I can remove the "mud balls" from the pockets in their toe webbing, but it quickly becomes impacted again. Other then regularly removing the "mud balls" I'm not sure what to do. I have now noticed my other barred rock hen is beginning to develop the same issue. I am watching all my chickens to see if this continues to develop on any other hens.

Is this a condition and what is it called?
Why, what causes it?
Will it cause lameness or infection?
How do I cure it?

So far the chickens are all eating, drinking, pooping, laying, walking normally. They don't show any discomfort or awareness of the issue.

Picture from top. Notice the bulge between the two toes.


You can see the "mud balls" in-between her toes


Here is a close up of the pockets in the toe webbing containing impacted mud and manure...



By gently pushing I can turn the toe web pocket inside out, and push out the hard "mud balls"


The "mud balls" come out rather easily.....



You can see the "mud ball" as it is removed from the toe web "pocket" they are pretty hard.


You can see the void that is left behind after the "mud ball" is removed. This void or pocket seems to fill back up with hard mud and manure pretty quickly. I try to empty the pockets several times a week.


The bulge is less pronounced after the material was removed. the skin is still loose and fills back up.

Did you ever find out what this was called? I have a barred rock with the same exact thing in both feet!

 

[WoDia]

It’s odd how this older post popped up this morning (thanks to @Devon2440), because I actually did a good cleaning of my old girl, Maudy’s (EE, 9 yrs old) toe webbing yesterday. That’s something I check for regularly, because it can cause what I refer to as a ‘Bumble Bubble’ infection to form between her toes. I had that happen with her once, so I soaked her foot, cleaned the dirt and pus out, rinsed the site out, packed it with triple antibiotic, wrapped the foot, and treated it until healed.

 

[Lwarren1210]

I don't know if any answers were ever found but I'm dealing with two hens having the same problem. They're both bantam brahams assuming sisters. Soo I guess it's genetic also from cackle hatchery... I though it was bumble foot but once cleaned out there's no open sores. I've now been cleaning and flushing daily... I've also just introduced a 2x4 perch instead of our round ones we've had. Seeing if that could make a difference. Out of silkies and bantam easter eggers no one else is having this problem but them.

 

[aart]

I don't know if any answers were ever found

@Lwarren1210 did you read the whole thread carefully?

 

[Loving my girls]

I am assuming you have put the contents of the pockets into a container of hot water to check that it is mud ?

If it isn’t a scab of any sort, and it does look like mud, my opinion is leave her be and check it regularly, she seems fine with it and if it ain’t causing a problem don’t make things worse by trying to fix it

 

[orelsi]

It's a genetic trait in certain birds. It's not an illness. I've seen it in Langshans and Easter Eggers. It passes to their progeny, so keep it in mind, if you are breeding your own chicks.

It is not inherently dangerous. Some hens live with packed pockets for years. It can get inflamed IN RARE CASES. You just need to keep an eye on your chickens' feet and clean the pockets every couple months and you'll be fine. In case you forget or there's an issue with inflammation, before you clean it, the birds will show you by lifting their leg or lightly pecking at it when it starts bothering them. In that case clean it as usual and if there's inflammation pack it with antibiotic ointment for a couple of days.

I'm sure there's a scientific name for it, but I just call them toe pockets.

 

[Pak Rat]

I noticed that birds with feathers on their feet get it a lot. Toe stones. Someone suggested punching a hole through the webbing to eliminate the pocket. Has anyone tried that? Big bummer that there isn't more info about this out there.

 

[Loving my girls]

I believe that it is generic trait also, not very common so must be a very special hen

 

[Ratbird]

I have actually seen this before. It, to me was a combo of bird genetics and environment. Is it possible to refill's
The holes with an antibacterial filler? Some fibers and neosporin or something? This way the area does get infected and displaces the mud balls and hopefully allows the area to eventually displace the fibers and change? Just an idea. I know my birds hate dressing wraps and bandages etc but packing the holes with something medically ok might give the area enough time to shrink back.

 

[Ratbird]

I have actually seen this before. It, to me was a combo of bird genetics and environment. Is it possible to refill's
The holes with an antibacterial filler? Some fibers and neosporin or something? This way the area does get infected and displaces the mud balls and hopefully allows the area to eventually displace the fibers and change? Just an idea. I know my birds hate dressing wraps and bandages etc but packing the holes with something medically ok might give the area enough time to shrink back.