Bumblefoot Wrapping Frequency

[RoostyRoo]

Hi there,

I have three hens who we treated for Bumblefoot a while back. Their scabs are almost fully healed and falling off, but just not quite there yet. My husband will be going out of town for 10 days and I don’t think I can change the bandages myself. Any advice?

For context:

They have been in bandages for probably about two months as they heal so there feet may be pretty soft and sensitive. We have been putting ointment on the scabs to prevent infection. The scabs are soooo close to completely falling off. We’ve been changing the bandages about every 2-4 days. They sort of free range (outside in a penned in area). It’s supposed to rain next week when my husband is gone.

Any advice on what to do so they are okay during this time would be so appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Debbie292d]

You two must be doing a great job at bandaging if they stay on for two to four days.

I presume their "wound" isn't open, just the scab may fall off, which I would also presume would have tender skin below it, but not open.

Is there a chance you could just have your husband help put new bandages on the day before he leaves, then let them go until they fall off, then put them somewhere clean and where the ground is soft, like on straw or grass or something along those lines? Perhaps it would only be for a couple of days.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

I have had to learn to bandage on my own... I lay them on their backs and hold them with one hand rap it before they get mad lol! it only works well with my patient hens tho.

I actually just finished doing my chickens bumble foot today. If you want to hurry the process you could also remove the scab and put Neosporin and then bandage.

 

[RoostyRoo]

I have had to learn to bandage on my own... I lay them on their backs and hold them with one hand rap it before they get mad lol! it only works well with my patient hens tho.

I actually just finished doing my chickens bumble foot today. If you want to hurry the process you could also remove the scab and put Neosporin and then bandage.

One of their scabs got scratched off a bit early and it just formed a new one. Wouldn’t that also happen if I purposely removed the scab like you suggest?

 

[RoostyRoo]

You two must be doing a great job at bandaging if they stay on for two to four days.

I presume their "wound" isn't open, just the scab may fall off, which I would also presume would have tender skin below it, but not open.

Is there a chance you could just have your husband help put new bandages on the day before he leaves, then let them go until they fall off, then put them somewhere clean and where the ground is soft, like on straw or grass or something along those lines? Perhaps it would only be for a couple of days.

Yes, they are all fully scabbed and the edges of the scabs are starting to fall off on one at least.

We are planning on changing their bandages a final time right before he leaves for ten days. I thought about just leaving the bandages on while he is gone but was worried that may cause some problem? The bandages are very well wrapped so I don’t know that they would fall off on their own.

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes, they are all fully scabbed and the edges of the scabs are starting to fall off on one at least.

We are planning on changing their bandages a final time right before he leaves for ten days. I thought about just leaving the bandages on while he is gone but was worried that may cause some problem? The bandages are very well wrapped so I don’t know that they would fall off on their own.

You could practice wrapping one of those patients in a towel like a burrito. That's what I have to do when we remove spurs from one or trim my macaw's beaks. That immobilizes them so you can focus on the foot/feet.

Then, go in at night, grab that chicken, wrap them up, and do what you have to do for the treatment.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

Yes, they are all fully scabbed and the edges of the scabs are starting to fall off on one at least.

We are planning on changing their bandages a final time right before he leaves for ten days. I thought about just leaving the bandages on while he is gone but was worried that may cause some problem? The bandages are very well wrapped so I don’t know that they would fall off on their own.

it depends on the method you are using to treat the bumblefoot. I usually soak with warm epsom salt water and peel the scab off. then I put Neosporin on som gauze and wrap it ... it has taken less time to heal this way but it is a little more intrusive.