Bumblefoot treatment

[Bickstead]

Yes, jumping from height can also cause it. Sometimes heavier birds are more prone. For birds that don't like ramps, a hay bale or a few concrete blocks stacked (that is what I use, like stairs), or something similar, to give them way points going up and down, can help. I try to make it so there are no jumps more than 18 inches. I actually got rid of my ramp as it seemed to be causing more issues than the steps, they tended to slide no matter how close the slats were. Obviously you can't prevent everything, they do have minds of their own. I have also found that painting my roosts (I also use 2 x 4's) has reduced it some, helps prevent splinters. Painting them also makes them a bit easier to clean and helps prevent hiding places for mites in the nooks and crannies. Even outside, depending on your environment, sharp rocks, sticks, stumps, all sorts of things, can cause tiny injury that can become bumblefoot. I also try to check regularly, but it's easy to miss somebody. Anyone who has chickens is likely going to experience it at some point, it just happens. All we can do is try to minimize the possibilities as much as we reasonably can.

So maybe a couole months ago, this girl had an impacted crop. I got it to clear. She seemed great. Then the last 2 weeks, she wouldnt lay on the roosting bar, only stand. Its been hot. Then she was walking weird. I thiught it was the bumblefoot. But I checked her leg, her hip... all the things. I check their skin, their vents. Im out there all the time with them. I hold them, pet them, carry them. Today when we were changing her foot bandage, my husband says, whats that??? I look at her abdomen and I thiught it was a new feather popping out. Its a NAIL. The end of a freaking NAIL! She must have swallowed it months ago, caused the crop issues, passed and then finally popped out?? I have no idea where it came from. I periodically check to make sure theres nothing lose or laying around. They dont free range. I rake their run every other day. She has bumble foot, but its the nail causing her to walk funny. Its completely healed aound it. Doesn't look Infected. My husband is going to cut it as close to her bidy as he can and hope for the best. We dont have chicken vets here. Ever heard if anyhting like this before? Im about ready to throw in the towel, either that or I'll be the ho to person for my chicken friends when theyve got problems. Im posting a video on my you tube if you want to see it. @Bickstead Again, I appreciate all the help and advice

 

[coach723]

I'm not able to see/find a video?

 

[Bickstead]

I'm not able to see/find a video?

Ill post pics here. It wont met me upload the video. I took it off my you tube. I was actually concerned it may get flagged for being inappropriate or something. You never know. Im 99 percent sure the bumblefoot isnt even bothering her. It was this the whole time. Shes had bouts of acting odd for months now and I could never find anything wrong. It had to be this making its way through her system. Have no idea where the nail came from. Im constantly raking their run, turning over the dirt. I check my birds constantly. Its healed, which means its been like this for some time. HOW did it not poke me when I pick her up?? HOW did we miss it the other times we were treating her foot?? So frustrated with myself.

 

[coach723]

My goodness, never seen anything like that, especially that far down. Without images to see where it might actually be lodged, not sure what the best course of action would be. Hardware disease and infection would be the concern. I will tag a couple of other educators to see if they have anything to offer.
@Wyorp Rock, @Eggcessive

 

[Bickstead]

My goodness, never seen anything like that, especially that far down. Without images to see where it might actually be lodged, not sure what the best course of action would be. Hardware disease and infection would be the concern. I will tag a couple of other educators to see if they have anything to offer.
@Wyorp Rock, @Eggcessive

Thanks. We dont have any vets around that will see chickens, so thats not an option. All these young vets wont even take an xray for the heck of it for me. Im really hoping if we cut it, she'll at least be more comfortable and maybe she can live a long time with it. Ive heard some crazy stories.

 

[coach723]

Yes, strange things happen sometimes. The list of things that chickens swallow that they shouldn't is pretty long. If it were in the crop, I'd say do crop surgery and get it out. But being that low, not sure that is a good option. Might be better to just leave it and see how she does. Hopefully one of the others will maybe have some suggestions.

 

[Eggcessive]

Somewhere in the threads back a few years ago on BYC, there is a thread about a hen who had swallowed a screw, and it eventually worked it’s way through the abdominal wall with the pointy end sticking out. The owner had xrays showing the screw which had come from the gizzard. I believe they cut it off, and the hen had no problem. Of course, an xray could be helpful in case the nail could be pulled through. But since that is not possible, I really can’t say what you should do, but I would probably trim it off at the skin. Pulling it through could injure an organ if you did not have a picture of how long it is or where it is coming from. Let us know how the chicken gets along.

 

[Bickstead]

Somewhere in the threads back a few years ago on BYC, there is a thread about a hen who had swallowed a screw, and it eventually worked it’s way through the abdominal wall with the pointy end sticking out. The owner had xrays showing the screw which had come from the gizzard. I believe they cut it off, and the hen had no problem. Of course, an xray could be helpful in case the nail could be pulled through. But since that is not possible, I really can’t say what you should do, but I would probably trim it off at the skin. Pulling it through could injure an organ if you did not have a picture of how long it is or where it is coming from. Let us know how the chicken gets along.

We trimmed it tonight. We wanted to get closer to the skin, but we were using a grinder and was worried about getting too close. She did amazingly well though. Just layed in my lap and even closed her eyes. Probably a trauma response?? Either way, it went well. We are going to see how she gets along like this and maybe try to trim it closer later this week. Id like to get it as flush as we can, but I also was worried about dislodging it and causing more issues. Hopefully this makes her more comfortable at least.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad you trimmed it.

Keep us posted on how she's getting along.

 

[Bickstead]

I'm glad you trimmed it.

Keep us posted on how she's getting along.

Definitely! Thank you