Bumblefoot

[Iva S.]

(I know someone is going to ask for pictures so here) One of my hens has bumblefoot, but it’s not very advanced right now. Taking her to a vet really isn’t much of an option (but we will if it suddenly gets worse or something serious happens) because the vet is so expensive. None of us can do the Home “surgery” because we’re all too squeamish about that. Is there something I can do to maybe make it go away (like rubbing some ointment on her feet or wrapping them)?

 

[Kusanar]

@Ravynscroft
Another bumblefoot issue to work through. I would direct them to Aflacks thread, but they say they're squeamish...

 

[Ravynscroft]

Soak her feet in warm epsom salt water 15-20 mins daily... apply clear iodine after they dry... after a couple times of these soaks, use tweezers(DO NOT cut the foot) and pry up the scabs... underneath the scabs if there is any hard/cheesy whitish/yellowish chunks, remove those... that is infection and needs to be removed before the feet can heal... sometimes they squeeze out easy, sometimes you have to pry them out and are hard to remove... but just keep working on them after soaks until all is removed... antibiotic ointment can be applied after infection is removed, gauze pad over the holes and vet wrap to keep the wounds clean til they heal...

 

[Iva S.]

@Ravynscroft
Another bumblefoot issue to work through. I would direct them to Aflacks thread, but they say they're squeamish...

It just feels so invasive. Cutting into the foot like that

 

[Ravynscroft]

It just feels so invasive. Cutting into the foot like that

Cutting should only ever be a last resort... don't worry, I do not advocate cutting... Aflac's thread just has a lot of very graphic pics, but his bumblefoot treatment has been a success...

 

[Duckworth]

It just feels so invasive. Cutting into the foot like that

It's the bumblefoot infection that is invasive. The treatment is a necessary, though unpleasant kindness for your hen. Actual cutting probably can be avoided through prompt treatment.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Listen to them they want to help my prayers are with you

 

[Iva S.]

Cutting should only ever be a last resort... don't worry, I do not advocate cutting... Aflac's thread just has a lot of very graphic pics, but his bumblefoot treatment has been a success...

Pics are fine. If the treatment is a success, could you direct me to it?

 

[Iva S.]

It's the bumblefoot infection that is invasive. The treatment is a necessary, though unpleasant kindness for your hen. Actual cutting probably can be avoided through prompt treatment.

Good to know about cutting being a last resort. A person on the thread I posted before this (when I was originally told it was bumblefoot) gave me a link that sent me right to the cutting portion, but the other info on there was helpful

 

[Ravynscroft]

Pics are fine. If the treatment is a success, could you direct me to it?

Here is Aflac's thread, he is a drake, not a chicken, but same treatment applies... it's long and there was some miscommunication at the beginning (they did cut out the bumble on 1 foot initially), but there is lots of good info in it... oh, and Aflac's case was way more severe than your hens, just fyi...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-drakes-foot-is-always-bleeding.1200823/

Edited to correct link...