Bumble foot in 1 week old chick?

[Musicandchickens17]

I have a 1 week old Welsummer chick that I got from Meyer Hatchery on 12/29. Both feet are completely covered in what I thought was dried poop. I tried to pick it off but it was attached like bumble foot. Bedding is pine shavings from TSC and I completely dump and clean the brooder every other day. Some other chicks are now exhibiting symptoms. Seems to be eating and drinking normally. Non medicated feed.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I am not a vet, but I really don’t think that is bumblefoot. More like calluses or sores from irritation. Not sure why a 1 week old chick would have feet like this, but I would make Epsom salt soaks for her. I would put an inch of warm water with Epsom salts in a flat rectangle Tupperware-type container, and let the chick stand in it for 15 minutes (with supervision at all times).
Afterward it is important to dry the chick thoroughly, use a blow dryer on warm setting.
Put neosporin ointment on the feet and tape a gauze dressing to the feet.
I would do this twice daily.

 

[dawg53]

I agree regarding soaking their feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. If it's hardened feces, the warm water soak will make it easier to remove.
Otherwise it could possibly be footpad dermatitis (FPD). Hopefully it's not FPD. Here's a link:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/what-causes-foot-dermatitis-in-poultry

 

[Musicandchickens17]

I agree regarding soaking their feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. If it's hardened feces, the warm water soak will make it easier to remove.
Otherwise it could possibly be footpad dermatitis (FPD). Hopefully it's not FPD. Here's a link:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/what-causes-foot-dermatitis-in-poultry

Thank you for the link! In 8 years I’ve never had this issue. However this is the first time I’m using large pine flake/shavings from TSC. Normally I use wood chips from our dust collection system in the barn.

It’s interesting though, their bedding has never been wet and they are in the basement just for right now so the humidity and temperature don’t fluctuate. It seems crazy that so many sores can develop in such a short time.

I plan on calling the hatchery tomorrow to let them know as well.
I will soak her feet in the morning and keep you updated!

 

[Musicandchickens17]

I am not a vet, but I really don’t think that is bumblefoot. More like calluses or sores from irritation. Not sure why a 1 week old chick would have feet like this, but I would make Epsom salt soaks for her. I would put an inch of warm water with Epsom salts in a flat rectangle Tupperware-type container, and let the chick stand in it for 15 minutes (with supervision at all times).
Afterward it is important to dry the chick thoroughly, use a blow dryer on warm setting.
Put neosporin ointment on the feet and tape a gauze dressing to the feet.
I would do this twice daily.

Thank you! I will soak her feet in the morning and let you know!

 

[Musicandchickens17]

I soaked their feet and the sores seemed to slough off after I put their feet on paper towels while I was drying them. All but the worst chick in the first two pictures came completely clean without any blood. I will soak her again this evening.
I’ll also start changing the brooder bedding daily instead of every other day. So weird that this happened because they are comfortable inside with regulated humidity, temperature and they always have clean food and water! They have never even walked on dirty or wet bedding.
I’ll keep everyone posted with progress. Thanks for your help!

 

[Sally PB]

Thanks for the update. Good luck!

 

[RubelliteRose]

Glad your chicks' feet are clearing up! If you continue to have problems, you should talk to the store where you bought the shavings. I also used the TSC shavings in our brooder this spring and had no issues. My thought is that maybe there was some kind of irritant in that batch of shavings.

 

[Musicandchickens17]

I changed to a different bag of shavings and had no further issues!

 

[Myrshine]

This looks more like ammonia or bedding sores. Do you clean the brooder weekly? I’d soak the feet with warm water for about 10-15 mins and clean off the feet.