Anyone Know What This Is? Bumblefoot?

[HannahL]

Hi all! So I have a 5-year-old RIR hen named Ruby. She’s also been a bit slower because of her age but I recently noticed that she’d slowed down a bit more. She’s still eating, drinking, scratching around, and roosting normally but when I took a look at her feet I noticed this on both pads. Anyone know what this might be? Bumblefoot maybe? It smells like poop. Maybe she got poop in a cut or something? I was picking at it quite a bit and she didn’t seem too bothered, but it definitely doesn’t look normal. Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes. That's bumblefoot.
Initial treatment is to soak in warm Epsom salt baths.

 

[HannahL]

Yes. That's bumblefoot.
Initial treatment is to soak in warm Epsom salt baths.

Ahh, okay! Does it look particularly severe for Bumblefoot? I will try to treat it at home, but am trying to figure out if I should call the vet or not. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you have a good avian vet with poultry or raptor experience, by all means seek their help.
Otherwise treat at home.
It looks about average of an infection.

 

[theoldchick]

Doesn't look to bad. She'll enjoy a warm soak in Epsom salt as already mentioned. Also, be sure to clean your roosts. I wouldn't get to aggressive at this point and try to cut out the core. After soaking it you can dab a bit of diluted iodine on the area twice daily for 5 days and see how she responds.

 

[theoldchick]

https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/

 

[coach723]

This is how I treat bumblefoot.
https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment.html/?spref=pi
You can use plain neosporin in it once it's cleaned out. If soaking doesn't soften it up enough you can apply decolorized iodine (not the same as betadine- any first aid section should have it) and wrap overnight, that usually softens it up well for removal.