Bumblefoot thread

[ChasingChooks]

Hi everyone!

I discovered a few days ago that one of my hens has bumblefoot. This is my first bumblefoot case that I have dealt with, so I will be posting about her recovery process.

I have done some research on bumblefoot before, but wasn't sure what to do when I saw my hen's swollen foot. From what I know, it is not a bad case, since the scab is fairly small.

Yesterday, after soaking her foot in soapy water for 10 minutes, I sprayed the scab with colloidal silver and applied a draw salve. Then, I wrapped the foot in gauze and tape. I have limited supplies, so I was working with what I had.

Today, I unwrapped her bandage and let her soak in warm water with Epsom salts for 25 minutes. Then, I wrapped her in a towel and slowly picked off the scab with my fingernail. After removing the scab, I sprayed again with colloidal silver and continued to pick out the kernel. For this part, I had to use a little tool to help dig it out. I was able to remove a small yellow piece, which I assume was the kernel. Sprayed again with silver, applied draw salve, and wrapped her foot up. I also syringed a 1/2 ml of silver into her mouth, to help the infection from the inside.

Tomorrow, I plan to unwrap her foot and soak it for a while. Then, I will take another look at it and report back here!

Hopefully, this method works and she recovers quickly!

 

[igorsMistress]

Following, I’m curious if the silver will work for you. Would you post a pic of what you’re spraying/giving by mouth? What drawing salve are you using?

 

[ChasingChooks]

I hope the silver works! It works wonders on humans, so I'm hoping it will be a good alternative to antibiotics for my hen.

I didn't know what else to put on, so I grabbed the draw salve. Hoping it helps too.

 

[igorsMistress]

I hope the silver works! It works wonders on humans, so I'm hoping it will be a good alternative to antibiotics for my hen.

I didn't know what else to put on, so I grabbed the draw salve. Hoping it helps too.

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Thanks. Please do update us and good luck.

I used Silvex which has colloidal silver in it along with a drawing salve on my rooster. It worked well but took a while. Maybe the straight stuff will work better.

 

[ChasingChooks]

Okay, I will! Glad to know that it worked for someone else.

 

[ChasingChooks]

Past two days have seen no improvement. I've continued to soak her foot in warm water/Epsom salts and put on silver/draw salve. Then wrap her foot up. It's still swollen, but at least it doesn't look worse!

 

[igorsMistress]

Past two days have seen no improvement. I've continued to soak her foot in warm water/Epsom salts and put on silver/draw salve. Then wrap her foot up. It's still swollen, but at least it doesn't look worse!

There may still be a kernel in the foot, have you probed it further?

 

[ChasingChooks]

I have tried digging, but can't get much out. It's still infected, so I assume that there is more kernel inside.

 

[arazla]

I'm wondering how you determine whether there is actually a kernel inside or whether what appears to be bumblefoot may just be an old scab healed over? For example, if a hen doesn't seem to be in distress, would applying a drawing salve possibly force a scab to start opening that doesn't need to be opened?