Chicken with bumblefoot keeps pooping in the soaking water

[Mayalys]

Hi all, I haven't had this problem before and I have no idea what to do. I have a two year old Isa Brown chicken with multiple bumbles on both feet, who limps a little but doesn't have a major infection yet (I think). So I've been doing soaking in chlorhexidine water (to try to heal the lesions that haven't scabbed yet), putting neosporin cream and wrapping, which is a major production already since I don't have help right now. The problem is that the process stresses her to no end and while she is not very uncooperative, she keeps pooping throughout. Her nightly poop is good, so I think it's stress related. But while poop on me and my surroundings is mostly annoying, the poop in the water seems to me to defeat the purpose. Does anybody have any ideas how I can handle this situation? I cannot get to a vet for another week or so, and I'd like to be sure that at least I don't make the situation worse in the meantime.

Edited to add a picture of the worst of the scabs (sorry for the fuzziness, doing it all alone). They are not very bad yet, I think.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They kinda do that, even if they accept soaking they don't like to hold it in for too long. So far I haven't found it to be an issue, the poops (at least from my birds) are usually fairly solid and just sit in the water, so I toss it out with the water into the lawn at the end. I figure any antibacterial spray or ointment applied after the soak will address "germs" well enough.

 

[Mayalys]

They kinda do that, even if they accept soaking they don't like to hold it in for too long. So far I haven't found it to be an issue, the poops (at least from my birds) are usually fairly solid and just sit in the water, so I toss it out with the water into the lawn at the end. I figure any antibacterial spray or ointment applied after the soak will address "germs" well enough.

Hers are quite liquid, unfortunately. It's still warm here and they drink a fair amount of water. Her overnight poop is solid, but then she doesn't dust bathe, so I'm not sure if the wraps are interfering or she's just that stressed or she has some other issue. Maybe I should be more zen about the poop, but she just has so many lesions. I can't even imagine how she achieved that. I will edit the post to put a picture -- it's definitely not advanced enough to give systemic issues, so if she has some, they are from elsewhere.

 

[RubelliteRose]

What size and shape container are you using? If rectangular, can you hold her near the edge so her back end isn't over the water? We use a small 8 qt dishpan for foot soaks and it seems to work well for us.

 

[Mayalys]

What size and shape container are you using? If rectangular, can you hold her near the edge so her back end isn't over the water? We use a small 8 qt dishpan for foot soaks and it seems to work well for us.

It's one in which I can wash the back end if needed, so it is roomy. I'll try something smaller tomorrow, thanks for the idea.

 

[CrspyChkn]

Maybe a chicken diaper? I would not use them personally unless I was in a similar situation. Good luck with your chicken!

 

[Mayalys]

Maybe a chicken diaper? I would not use them personally unless I was in a similar situation. Good luck with your chicken!

Wow, I must have been living under a rock. I had no idea there were special chicken diapers until I did a search. I will definitely keep that in mind. This morning I grabbed her first thing in the morning before she had a chance to eat or drink much, used a smaller container, and left her in the water only about 6 minutes. She saved the poop for when I wrapped her up in a towel, but overall a big improvement. The non scabbed lesions are healing nicely. It will be much better when I have to only wrap one foot.

 

[CrspyChkn]

That is great! I am glad that she is getting better.