Bumblefoot treatment

[charlie1051]

I was wondering if any of you with bumblefoot problems have roosters w/ the girls or just the girls?

 

[Bickstead]

I was wondering if any of you with bumblefoot problems have roosters w/ the girls or just the girls?

I do not have roosters. I have a theory on why my girls have it. I think it's the type of pine shavings I'm using in their coop. They jump from their poop shelf alot and I think thats the issue. Going to buy smaller softer flakes. They've been out of them for almost a year where I usually go though.

 

[coach723]

I have roosters and hens. I use coarse pine shavings, it's never been a problem that I've seen. I also have concrete blocks and concrete step stones, and a concrete slab as the floor of the coop. the floor is covered in a thick layer of pine shavings. None of those things have seemed to be an issue either. It can vary depending on what is in the environment, sticks, sharp gravel, etc. Heavier birds can have more issues both from jumping and just because there is more weight on their feet. It doesn't take much of an injury to make a bumble start, and it's often so small it's not noticed until it's taken hold. And not every single injury may become bumblefoot. The biggest difference I found was painting my roosts (2x4's), they are not so prone to splinters, and trying to make sure that any roosts, perches or other higher spots are not more than an 18 inch jump. If something is higher, I put something near it that can be used as a step. You can't prevent it 100%, but you can lessen the things that are most likely to cause it.

 

[Bickstead]

I have roosters and hens. I use coarse pine shavings, it's never been a problem that I've seen. I also have concrete blocks and concrete step stones, and a concrete slab as the floor of the coop. the floor is covered in a thick layer of pine shavings. None of those things have seemed to be an issue either. It can vary depending on what is in the environment, sticks, sharp gravel, etc. Heavier birds can have more issues both from jumping and just because there is more weight on their feet. It doesn't take much of an injury to make a bumble start, and it's often so small it's not noticed until it's taken hold. And not every single injury may become bumblefoot. The biggest difference I found was painting my roosts (2x4's), they are not so prone to splinters, and trying to make sure that any roosts, perches or other higher spots are not more than an 18 inch jump. If something is higher, I put something near it that can be used as a step. You can't prevent it 100%, but you can lessen the things that are most likely to cause it.

Would you be able to show me pictures of.how you made the steps? Ive been looking for alternate ideas to ramps and ladders and literwlly nothing else is coming up.

 

[coach723]

I will get some later this morning.

 

[Bickstead]

I will get some later this morning.

Thanks!

 

[coach723]

Here are my steps and the roosts above. As you can see the roosts are also stair stepped up, so not a lot of jumping up and down. And the poop boards underneath make it not so far as well if someone gets knocked off. I've seen the same thing done with hay or straw bails. The blocks are just stacked, too heavy for a chicken to move them. As you can see from the stains, they are heavily used. I didn't run them the full length as I didn't want to block the space underneath, which they also use, especially if I have to lock them up for any period. And I can move them out for cleaning. We tore down an old barn and had a huge stack of these, so used what I had. I have seen people use large branches or limbs that have come down as well. Since those tend to be gnarly and rough, especially if all the bark is still on them, they are probably not as slip prone as a built ramp. I would imagine you could use just about anything that can be stacked, that they can't move or knock over.

 

[Bickstead]

Here are my steps and the roosts above. As you can see the roosts are also stair stepped up, so not a lot of jumping up and down. And the poop boards underneath make it not so far as well if someone gets knocked off. I've seen the same thing done with hay or straw bails. The blocks are just stacked, too heavy for a chicken to move them. As you can see from the stains, they are heavily used. I didn't run them the full length as I didn't want to block the space underneath, which they also use, especially if I have to lock them up for any period. And I can move them out for cleaning. We tore down an old barn and had a huge stack of these, so used what I had. I have seen people use large branches or limbs that have come down as well. Since those tend to be gnarly and rough, especially if all the bark is still on them, they are probably not as slip prone as a built ramp. I would imagine you could use just about anything that can be stacked, that they can't move or knock over. View attachment 4198232
View attachment 4198233View attachment 4198234

Perfect! Thank you so much!!

 

[Bickstead]

Here are my steps and the roosts above. As you can see the roosts are also stair stepped up, so not a lot of jumping up and down. And the poop boards underneath make it not so far as well if someone gets knocked off. I've seen the same thing done with hay or straw bails. The blocks are just stacked, too heavy for a chicken to move them. As you can see from the stains, they are heavily used. I didn't run them the full length as I didn't want to block the space underneath, which they also use, especially if I have to lock them up for any period. And I can move them out for cleaning. We tore down an old barn and had a huge stack of these, so used what I had. I have seen people use large branches or limbs that have come down as well. Since those tend to be gnarly and rough, especially if all the bark is still on them, they are probably not as slip prone as a built ramp. I would imagine you could use just about anything that can be stacked, that they can't move or knock over. View attachment 4198232
View attachment 4198233View attachment 4198234

And I LOVE the mural!

Here are my steps and the roosts above. As you can see the roosts are also stair stepped up, so not a lot of jumping up and down. And the poop boards underneath make it not so far as well if someone gets knocked off. I've seen the same thing done with hay or straw bails. The blocks are just stacked, too heavy for a chicken to move them. As you can see from the stains, they are heavily used. I didn't run them the full length as I didn't want to block the space underneath, which they also use, especially if I have to lock them up for any period. And I can move them out for cleaning. We tore down an old barn and had a huge stack of these, so used what I had. I have seen people use large branches or limbs that have come down as well. Since those tend to be gnarly and rough, especially if all the bark is still on them, they are probably not as slip prone as a built ramp. I would imagine you could use just about anything that can be stacked, that they can't move or knock over. View attachment 4198232
View attachment 4198233View attachment 4198234

You said your poop shelf is 18 inches high?

 

[coach723]

The bottom of the trim board that runs across the front is 18" off the floor. I wanted it to be high enough that they weren't afraid of going underneath, for the sake of more space. There is a sheet of plywood on top of that and then a sheet of vinyl wall panel (all removable for annual cleaning). So the floor/poop board surface ended up 22" from the floor. The roosts themselves (top surface) are 6", 18" and 28" from the poop board. The vinyl paneling came from lowes and makes it much easier for daily scraping and wipe down. There is a larger space between the bottom roost and the middle one so that no one gets 'trapped' behind them, it's easy escape. With the steps there, it is much smaller than an 18" drop for them, and while some will jump the 22", most use the steps. There is also room enough in front of the bottom roost, on the poop board, for them to stand.