Chicken cannot walk. Puss filled foot.

[Farmer413]

A week or so ago I noticed that one of my birds, who is about 6 to 8 weeks old was walking funny. I tried moving the tendon back with my finger but that didnt work. It appeared to be a splayed leg. I used a rubber band and put the legs closely together... I checked on it every day. No real progress until I put the legs closer together. Today I noticed the other foot... cold, puss filled, and severely swollen, black nails... I feel so bad... I took the rubber bands off... I think the swelling may have caused the band to get too tight. She was ok yesterday. She still manages to eat and drink ok. What can I do? Is there anything? A vet really isn't an option at this point. Although it didnt look as though it was open I still sprayed it with Vetricin.


Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[azygous]

There may still be time to save the foot. Soak the chick's feet three times a day in warm Epsom salt water. Spray with Vetericyn afterward.

 

[Farmer413]

I tried this today. She actually walks on this leg. I have vet wrap. Should I use that on the area? Also, she has a splayed leg on the other side. Is there anyway to help correct that?

Thanks

 

[azygous]

If the splayed leg has been this way since her first week, there's probably no way to correct it now, but if it's recent, it may be worth a try.

 

[Farmer413]

It's been about 2 weeks. I tried the rubberband trick and it didnt work. Is there any good photos showing how to splint a leg?

Also, I've been looking around a bit and some people have bumblefoot and scaly leg mite pictures that look similar. How can you tell the difference between the two? She doesnt have any black scabs.

 

[azygous]

Scaly leg mites will cause the scales on the legs to "bubble" or lift up. If you think this is a possibility, you can paint castor oil on the legs and feet.
Here's a video on how to splint splay legs.

 

[Farmer413]

I've watched that video for her. She's too big.. about 8 weeks old so she just pecks it off or it falls off...

Her legs are not discolored. It's more of a pocket of puss on the bottom with swollen foot and toes and black nails.

It looks better today than yesterday.

 

[azygous]

You can use vet wrap instead of a bandaid. Keep soaking the feet in warm Epsom salt water. It should help prevent loss of the foot. If you can post a pic of the pus filled foot, I'd like to see it.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Can you post pictures?

 

[Farmer413]

Can you post pictures?

These pictures show the foot today. Top and bottom. I've been soaking it in Epsom salts and then spraying with Vetrycin. Seems to look a little better today. The top looks worse than the bottom. Also the splay leg which has been that way for a week and a half... Anything I can do?

I let her visit with the other chickens daily because they will be moving into their coop in a couple days. I also have another bird with her because she was wounded, but now healed. The other bird has a small spot of purple or two on its feet. I can post those too if needed.

Thanks