Bumblefoot Issues

[Iva S.]

I have 4 hens and a roo who (unfortunately) have to be penned up basically all day because of my dog and city ordinances. Anyways, they’re pen is dirt and for their coop, we used a palette as the flooring. I’ve had one or two cases of bumble in the past, but it hasn’t really been a problem. Except, recently it has been popping up A LOT! I did a thorough foot check today and 3/5 had bumble, one had an injury, and the other was fine. I was just wondering how I can help prevent bumble from being such an issue. I’ve also noticed it comes up mainly after it rains. I’ll try to post pictures tomorrow, but it’s dark outside now. Should I start using sand as a flooring? Or maybe change up their house?

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

maybe get a chicken tractor and move them around more!

 

[Iva S.]

maybe get a chicken tractor and move them around more!

Easier (and cheaper) said than done I like to let them free range a lot and chicken tractors are too small in my opinion (at least to easily move)

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

build your own! it can be any size! and it would only be in the day when their pen is wet!

Easier (and cheaper) said than done I like to let them free range a lot and chicken tractors are too small in my opinion (at least to easily move)

 

[Iva S.]

build your own! it can be any size! and it would only be in the day when their pen is wet!

That could work, I have something that I use sometimes for my rabbits that we could modify

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 4 hens and a roo who (unfortunately) have to be penned up basically all day because of my dog and city ordinances. Anyways, they’re pen is dirt and for their coop, we used a palette as the flooring. I’ve had one or two cases of bumble in the past, but it hasn’t really been a problem. Except, recently it has been popping up A LOT! I did a thorough foot check today and 3/5 had bumble, one had an injury, and the other was fine. I was just wondering how I can help prevent bumble from being such an issue. I’ve also noticed it comes up mainly after it rains. I’ll try to post pictures tomorrow, but it’s dark outside now. Should I start using sand as a flooring? Or maybe change up their house?

Photos will be most helpful - Birds, their feet, your coop/run and anything else you would like to share

You mention the flooring in your coop is a palette. Is a solid floor completely or does it have a lot a gaps? Do you add shavings or straw to the flooring of the coop and how high are your roosts? Are the palette boards smooth/sanded or are they splintery?

You notice more cases of bumblefoot after rain. Is your run covered or does it get muddy? Does it drain well?

You may need to add straw, pine needles or leaves to your run.

If they get a cut/scrape or have a break down on the foot, then getting feet wet/muddy for long periods of time would exacerbate the problem.

Look forward to your photos - hopefully we can give you some suggestions to help treat and prevent this from happening.

 

[aart]

Ditto @Wyorp Rock's post...pics would really help us help you improve their environment.

'Bumblefoot' is basically an infected wound(usually a staph infection).
So removing anything that can cause cuts to the feet should be removed or minimized.
It pops up more when it's wet because a wet environment allows the resident(naturally occurring) bacteria to flourish into greater numbers.

Have had a couple cases of it here, none so serious it required the drastic procedures often recommended. They all cleared up eventually, tho it took a few weeks to a couple months. A healthy bird should be able to fight off the infection.

 

[Iva S.]

Here’s the setup I have. I actually just put sand in there, but it’s not in the pictures.
The roost is 14 inches off the floor of their coop.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do they free range/have access to the rest of your backyard?

Can you add more boards to your coop floor to make it solid, then add some type of bedding? Could be they are getting feet/legs hung up between the slats and that is causing some scrapes or cuts which allows bacteria to enter the foot.

Also check the roost for any splinters/rough areas which can cause abrasions to the foot pad.

I'm sure others will chime in with some suggestions.

 

[Iva S.]

Do they free range/have access to the rest of your backyard?

Can you add more boards to your coop floor to make it solid, then add some type of bedding? Could be they are getting feet/legs hung up between the slats and that is causing some scrapes or cuts which allows bacteria to enter the foot.

Also check the roost for any splinters/rough areas which can cause abrasions to the foot pad.

I'm sure others will chime in with some suggestions.

I will definitely check the roost, the part about their feet/legs getting hung up has crossed my mind, but I’m not sure I could make the floor solid. They free range almost everyday from probably 5:00pm until they put themselves up. Although, I do sometimes round them up earlier.