Can bumblefoot heal on it's own?

[InterestingChickens]

Dose this bumble foot infection look bad?

 

[Isaac 0]

It doesn't necessarily look like a severe case of bumblefoot. If you soak the foot in Epsom salts, or an antiseptic mixture for a while, you should be able to loosen the eschar(scab) to the point it can be peeled off with a pair of tweezers, or if needed cut out with a scalpel. Afterward, firm pressure applied to any swelling to push out any puss, or caseous material would be recommended. A bandage put on the foot to prevent subsequent infection to the area until healed would additionally be a good idea.

Bumblefoot can be caused by a few factors, but rough substrate, or perches promoting erosion, and degradation to the epidermis allowing bacterial penetration should be considered a common cause. Smoothing down any rough perches, and ensuring their bedding substrate is soft can reduce the future chance of bumblefoot development.

 

[InterestingChickens]

It doesn't necessarily look like a severe case of bumblefoot. If you soak the foot in Epsom salts, or an antiseptic mixture for a while, you should be able to loosen the eschar(scab) to the point it can be peeled off with a pair of tweezers, or if needed cut out with a scalpel. Afterward, firm pressure applied to any swelling to push out any puss, or caseous material would be recommended. A bandage put on the foot to prevent subsequent infection to the area until healed would additionally be a good idea.

How long dose it take for it to soften up? I have tried soaking her feet for about two weeks, but it didn't seem to be working. Thanks for your quick reply.

 

[Isaac 0]

How long dose it take for it to soften up? Thanks for your quick reply.

I have found it will vary with the core - others are more interconnected to the epithelium lining than others. With a core like that, soaking for twenty minutes straight may work. Massaging the core while in water can oftentimes help in the excavation of the core.

 

[KaseySnow]

Bumblefoot can be caused by a few factors, but rough substrate, or perches promoting erosion, and degradation to the epidermis allowing bacterial penetration should be considered a common cause.

When you say substrate, are you speaking only of the coop bedding? We have pine shavings in our coop and mulch in our run. Can they injure themselves scratching around in mulch and get bumblefoot that way?

 

[InterestingChickens]

When you say substrate, are you speaking only of the coop bedding? We have pine shavings in our coop and mulch in our run. Can they injure themselves scratching around in mulch and get bumblefoot that way?

Isaac 0 said rough substrate. Pine shavings are not rough. I think Isaac 0 more meant things such as rubble which could cut their feet. Please correct me If I am wrong.

 

[KaseySnow]

Isaac 0 said rough substrate. Pine shavings are not rough. I think Isaac 0 more meant things such as rubble which could cut their feet. Please correct me If I am wrong.

Yeah, that's why I am concerned about mulch now. Evil splinters! Though I guess they aren't landing on the mulch, maybe that's the real issue.

 

[Beck Chick]

Yeah, that's why I am concerned about mulch now. Evil splinters! Though I guess they aren't landing on the mulch, maybe that's the real issue.

I used mulch and when it dries it turns to splinters. I have been working on getting it out of there and treating Bumblefoot at the same time. Mulch is a terrible substrate I have discovered.