Bumblefoot?

[shrimpsilkies]

While their coop is being added to to accommodate more quail, my first group of coturnix have been staying inside in a box with some wood shavings. They’ve been pretty happy campers so far but over the weekend one knocked over the water while I was away and they were sitting on nasty wet shavings for a while.
I cleaned the box and most of them got clean, but my favorite still had crusty feet yesterday. I soaked her feet and got them clean, but I noticed she has little sores on the sole like bumblefoot and a little swelling. She doesn’t seem too affected by them but she’s not friendly at all and won’t let me hold her long enough to work on them. Her right foot has a plug in it and the left looks more like a flat scab.

I really don’t want her to get any worse. I feel so bad because they would have all gone outside in a couple days had the weather not been so bad for building the coop, maybe I could have prevented this.
Has it gotten to the point where it can get better on its own or can she not go outside in the following week? Please help!

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

While their coop is being added to to accommodate more quail, my first group of coturnix have been staying inside in a box with some wood shavings. They’ve been pretty happy campers so far but over the weekend one knocked over the water while I was away and they were sitting on nasty wet shavings for a while.
I cleaned the box and most of them got clean, but my favorite still had crusty feet yesterday. I soaked her feet and got them clean, but I noticed she has little sores on the sole like bumblefoot and a little swelling. She doesn’t seem too affected by them but she’s not friendly at all and won’t let me hold her long enough to work on them. Her right foot has a plug in it and the left looks more like a flat scab.View attachment 2115324View attachment 2115325
I really don’t want her to get any worse. I feel so bad because they would have all gone outside in a couple days had the weather not been so bad for building the coop, maybe I could have prevented this.
Has it gotten to the point where it can get better on its own or can she not go outside in the following week? Please help!

I'm sorry! I would clean them out. You can help keep her calm when working with her by covering her face so that she can still breathe but it's dark. This may sound silly, but an old mismatched sock slipped over the head works really well. If you're worried about her ability to breathe in that, you can cut out a tiny hole for her beak to slip through. This has worked like a charm whenever I have to deal with chickens with bumblefoot.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

I'm sorry! I would clean them out. You can help keep her calm when working with her by covering her face so that she can still breathe but it's dark. This may sound silly, but an old mismatched sock slipped over the head works really well. If you're worried about her ability to breathe in that, you can cut out a tiny hole for her beak to slip through. This has worked like a charm whenever I have to deal with chickens with bumblefoot.

Thank you! I have some socks she would fit haha. Would a needle work to pierce the plug and pull it out? And any medicine or ointment to put on her afterwards?

 

[RedRoostChickens]

I've only had chickens with bumblefoot, and I've never had quail, but when my chicken got it I would soak her feet in epsom salt water before I'd treat it.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

I always soak the foot for about half an hour in Epsom salt water to loosen the plug up. Some people will soak until it will easily pull out on its own. I use a scalpel and tweezers to carefully dig all the nasty gunk out, then soak and rinse some more. Neosporin or Veterycin both work wonders when it comes to keeping the wound clean.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

I've only had chickens with bumblefoot, and I've never had quail, but when my chicken got it I would soak her feet in epsom salt water before I'd treat it.

I always soak the foot for about half an hour in Epsom salt water to loosen the plug up. Some people will soak until it will easily pull out on its own. I use a scalpel and tweezers to carefully dig all the nasty gunk out, then soak and rinse some more. Neosporin or Veterycin both work wonders when it comes to keeping the wound clean.

Thank you! I’m pretty sure I’ve got epsom salt, plenty of small tweezers, and Neosporin. Is wrapping her feet recommended after, or just make sure to keep her on very clean, dry shavings?

 

[RedRoostChickens]

I put my hen back in with the rest, but she could free range and that took the bandage right off. But just try to keep her feet as clean as possible.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

She’s soaking now!

 

[shrimpsilkies]

The sock did nothing to keep her calm, I was not able to access her feet without hurting her.

 

[shrimpsilkies]

The sock did nothing to keep her calm, I was not able to access her feet without hurting her.

Not sure what to do now. I can’t really hold her at all or put her in cloth without her burrowing into it and getting stuck... and no way I’m bringing anything sharp near a flailing quail. The problem is they’re not any calmer at night than they are during the day...