Big, swollen foot

[LinzRebecca]

8 year old Black Sex Link. She’s always had gnarly feet but lately her left one is noticeably larger. She isn’t limping or acting like it hurts. I’m thinking the dark spots on the bottom are maybe bumblefoot? There’s also a bump on the side that looks like a cyst or something. Any help is appreciated

 

[cottagecheese]

Unfortunately, looking at both feet, she has gout. It is common in older hens who don't lay daily but eat layer feed. How often does she lay and what does she eat?
Also, the left foot has bumblefoot.

 

[cottagecheese]

I was hoping to have a conversation in real time because you were logged in, but you didn't see my comment and logged out.

'Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid in the bird's body. Uric acid is regularly produced in the liver and excreted through the kidneys into the urine. However, birds with impaired renal function may not be able to get rid of uric acid as efficiently, leading to a build up within the blood which is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can result in uric acid deposits within the joints (articular gout) and in visceral organs or other extra-visceral sites (visceral gout). Over time, these deposits will grow to form tophi (nodular masses of uric acid crystals).'

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gout

What could have impaired her kidney function? Possible, but not very probable: too much protein in the diet. More likely: too much calcium, if she's been eating layer, without laying daily. Layer feed has 400% the amount of calcium of 'all flock' feed and it's designed for hens who lay (more or less) daily. There are other possible causes, please look them up at the link.

What could be done for her: ensuring that she doesn't get excess dietary calcium, by offering all-flock and free choice oyster shell or egg shell. (Maybe this is what you've actually been doing. Then maybe the cause of the gout was too little vit A or too much protein, etc)
What else could be done: offering something rich in beta-carotene every day and offering cherries.
Why cherries are important:
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/gout-treatment-with-a-cherry-on-top/

Please see here the least stressful (for both owner and chicken) method of treating bumblefoot:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/foot-cyst-bumble-foot.1307930/#post-21316575 post #3

 

[Wyorp Rock]

8 year old Black Sex Link. She’s always had gnarly feet but lately her left one is noticeably larger. She isn’t limping or acting like it hurts. I’m thinking the dark spots on the bottom are maybe bumblefoot? There’s also a bump on the side that looks like a cyst or something. Any help is appreciated

Yes, she does have Bumblefoot, the bump is probably part of that too.
I would also look in the nooks/crannies of the foot to make sure that's free of debris.
Removal of the scabs by whatever method of choice may help, she has quite a bit of swelling and probably a good bit of pus in there, but with her age and her not acting like it hurts, I would be hesitant to cut them out. Using alternative methods to cu like Tricide Neo, Prid or Clear Iodine instead of cutting should be considered.

She's an old hen and her feet are going to be a little gnarly. The scales look a bit dry and slightly raised. I would rub/work some vaseline, A+D or NuStock under then scales and legs to help soothe and heal them.

 

[coach723]

I agree with @Wyorp Rock 's advice. Here are a couple of links that might help. I would do the daily soaks, apply some decolorized iodine (not the same as betadine - drug stores have it in the first aid section) to the circled areas, wrap overnight, and they should be softened up a lot an you should be able to work much of that out of the foot. I would also not do any cutting unless all other options don't work. It may take some time and effort on your part to get it cleared up, every case is a little different.
https://www.tillysnest.com/2015/12/non-surgical-bumblefoot-treatment.html/?spref=pi
https://ouroneacrefarm.com/2013/11/09/bumblefoot-treatment-tricideneo/
I get my tricide-neo here: https://www.koiacres.com/tricide-neo.html

 

[LinzRebecca]

Thanks for all the replies. She is actually eating Layena, so we will look into changing that. That’s just what she’s always eaten. Didn’t even think about the extra calcium causing a problem. And of course we will start treating the bumblefoot spots right away.

 

[cottagecheese]

Yep, it's the fault of the manufacturers, they should put warning labels on layer feed. And, anyone else who's not laying practically daily, but has been eating layer feed, has some similar problem going on, even if it's not showing very much.

https://www.growelagrovet.com/gout-in-poultry/

Here is the same, minus pictures but plus BYC content
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/gout-in-birds-interesting-article.550983/

Finally, I really wish mine would get to 8yo and beyond....

 

[Moolinda]

Thanks for all the replies. She is actually eating Layena, so we will look into changing that. That’s just what she’s always eaten. Didn’t even think about the extra calcium causing a problem. And of course we will start treating the bumblefoot spots right away.

Did you have any luck treating her bumblefoot? I have a chicken two years old who definitely has gout and severe bumblefoot in both feet. I tried cutting out the infection but couldn’t seem to get the kernel out. We soak in epsom, treat with antibiotic, and bandage but she doesn’t seem to be getting better. She’s still eating but moving so slow. Ive never had this much trouble treating bumblefoot. Not sure if you had any better luck or any suggestions. It’s so hard when her feet are so swollen to begin with.

 

[coach723]

@Moolinda, can you post some pictures of your hens feet?

 

[Moolinda]

She passed today unfortunately. We did all we could.. it never gets easier.