Bumblefoot?

[The_Cat]

Hello,

I know there are numerous threads about Bumblefoot and treating it, but I would like to share my pictures and questions as I am new to raising chickens, and I want to take care in not making assumptions about my chicken's ailments.

I have 5 chickens and 3 of them have what seems to be bumblefoot. I have attached pictures of 2 of them (1 chicken was a little camera shy). My Black Australorp and both of my Ameracaunas have the black looking scabs on their feet.

The Ameracauna pictured below has the scab on both feet.



The Black Australorp and the other Ameracauna both have a tiny scab just on one foot.



I want to confirm that this IS indeed bumblefoot. I have seen posts on various threads talk about a non-surgical treatment for bumblefoot by using a Epsom Salt Soak and Prid for 2 days before pulling the whole scab out with tweezers. I would like to get some advice on the matter. I've looked into Avian Vets in my area and they charge almost $100/chicken just for an examination. Any procedures or medications are extra. After watching videos, I think this could be simple enough to do myself as I am not very squeamish. Though I really prefer not to perform a surgical procedure if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Yup looks like Bumblefoot. I had 2 Wynadottes with it, left it alone as they were fine, no redness nor limping. The one with scabs on both under foot, disappeared. The one that had it first on one foot, still got it and is fine.

I thought of treating myself but sometimes as the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I was concerned making it worst. If you're going to attempt doing the surgery, make sure you use gloves & sterllize your stuff before & after, keep the wound wrapped & clean & watch for infection.

 

[The_Cat]

None of my chickens seem bothered. They are all eating normal, running around, and playing.
Though, as I was cleaning my Ameracauna with the 2 larger scabs for the picture, she started to drool. I know chickens can hide pain pretty well, so I wonder if that is her sign of discomfort.

 

[ChickNanny13]

No idea what the drooling's all about. Did she just drink some water? Was it clear or colored and/or thick or thin?

 

[chicks are life]

Sometimes if chickens are tipped upside down then there water that they just drank comes out.

Soak feet in Epsom salt 2 days before procedure.
Pull scab off
Pull kernel,pus,infection and what not not out with tweezers
Fill hole with neosporn non pain killer kind
Put cotton ball on bottom feet and wrap up

Watch for infection and change wrap every other day
Redo procedure if the scab that forms isn't a healing scab


Is there anything that your birds could have cut,pocked or bruised there foot on?

What

 

[The_Cat]

Sometimes if chickens are tipped upside down then there water that they just drank comes out.

Soak feet in Epsom salt 2 days before procedure.
Pull scab off
Pull kernel,pus,infection and what not not out with tweezers
Fill hole with neosporn non pain killer kind
Put cotton ball on bottom feet and wrap up

Watch for infection and change wrap every other day
Redo procedure if the scab that forms isn't a healing scab


Is there anything that your birds could have cut,pocked or bruised there foot on?

What

She might have just drank some water. It was not discolored or anything. I was holding her sideways and she started drooling. Perhaps that was all.

The epsom soak is what I've been reading most for bumble foot. Is there anything I can give the chicken for a pain reliever before or after, or do they do well without? Should I also apply a cream after the epsom soak? I've seen a couple people recommend Prid. But also some people say they don't notice that it does anything.

Not sure what the chickens could have hurt their feet on. They occasionally dig up trash treasure from previous residents, but nothing sharp.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[chicks are life]

Mine do fine without a pain reliever and i would just do the soak.

 

[The_Cat]

Can I still eat the eggs after I remove the bumblefoot?

 

[chicks are life]

Yup

 

[The_Cat]

So, I removed the scab on Saturday. No pus or plug came out. I am hesitant to make any surgical cuts if my hen is doing fine.
I've been changing her bandage every day and applying antibiotic ointment. This is what the wound looks like after 3 days:

Should I leave it alone and just keep an eye on it? Or should I go for surgery?