Bleeding foot

[Haisai21]

I have a lovely Cochin. Recently I’ve been finding her with a bloody foot. It looks like it’s coming from her feathers. She has been molting but it doesn’t look like her feathers are coming out. It’s almost like they are getting cut or cut off. Has anyone had something similar?

 

[CombNWattles]

This is pretty common with feather footed birds.
The feathers are probably breaking and/or being picked by the other birds, who are attracted to the sight of blood.

If you find her actively bleeding, apply pressure with a folded towel until it stops, then use a damp towel to wipe away the blood. antibiotic spray might be a good idea too.

Mostly just make sure she’s not bleeding a lot. Also monitor whether the other birds are really going after her feet. If they repeatedly peck the same feather shaft, it may never grow back.

 

[coach723]

Some feather footed birds seem to have more trouble than others, it may be genetic, with weaker feather shafts. And legs and feet seem to take more abuse. I had a roo that always had a terrible time during molt, he would get broken blood feathers often on legs and feet. I would wrap his legs loosely with co wrap, just tight enough to keep it on, with the feathers going in their normal direction. It seemed to help prevent breakage until feathers were all in and blood supply receded. And didn't bother him at all. Changed as needed, every few days or so, to make sure all is well. I did have to pull a couple of really large shafted feathers that were bleeding a lot a couple of times and wouldn't stop with pressure on the shaft. If that happens you can grip at the base of the feather, near the skin, with a pair of small pliers and pull the feather, then put pressure on the place it was and bleeding will stop.

 

[Haisai21]

This is pretty common with feather footed birds.
The feathers are probably breaking and/or being picked by the other birds, who are attracted to the sight of blood.

If you find her actively bleeding, apply pressure with a folded towel until it stops, then use a damp towel to wipe away the blood. antibiotic spray might be a good idea too.

Mostly just make sure she’s not bleeding a lot. Also monitor whether the other birds are really going after her feet. If they repeatedly peck the same feather shaft, it may never grow back.

Thank you! This is my first time with chickens and every little thing is new