Colorado

[cluckcluckgirl]

He had reoccurring bumble foot, so is it possible he was just unhealthy to start with or had problems with his feet?

 

[Ashdoes]

Bumble foot is a really nasty infection. I have a Wyandotte that I have to constantly cut out bumbles from, and I wouldn't be surprised if I found her dead. If his immune system was compromised, fighting the frost bite, then maybe the infection just took over?

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

It sounds very possible. I had to perform bumble foot surgery on him 5 times prior.

 

[Pozees]

He had reoccurring bumble foot, so is it possible he was just unhealthy to start with or had problems with his feet?

Yes, bumblefoot is a staph infection, and it could have damaged his heart. He may have had a bad heart to begin with, which is really difficult (read: impossible) to detect unless you notice things like purple instead of red comb/wattles, or very pale there and general skin tone. Frostbitten feet may have occurred because he was not getting blood to his toes properly due to poor circulation - weak heart. Combs are one thing, but feet, because of how they sleep, should have stayed warm enough to avoid frostbite in most cases.

I have a pullet that is suddenly not looking as hale and hearty as she was a month ago, I wormed her yesterday and gave her some Nutri-drench today, Bob was holding her for me, and he commented that he always noticed how pale she was. I don't know why I didn't notice it, but he did, and now I think I'm probably fighting a losing battle, but will support her for a few days and see how she does.

Keep in mind that a chicken, like most animals, will work hard to hide weakness until it cannot. Survival instinct. By the time we notice things are amiss they have been going down for a while, and it's tough to bring them back around sometimes.

 

[Ashdoes]

My Wyandotte is the same way. She's been bumble free for about a month and a half, and I'm waiting to see if it lasts this time.
Sorry about your Roo.

 

[Ashdoes]

We had a Cochin hen get super pale all of a sudden. We brought her inside, and started giving her extra protein. After two days inside, she was acting better, and now a month later she's foraging with the flock again. I would have been very sad to lose her she was one of our first Cochins.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

That is a very interesting point, Pozees. He was a rather large boy, so his heart would have to be very large to properly circulate blood. His comb never did get as red as other roosters'. Perhaps he just wasn't meant to be.

Pozees and Ashdoes- I hope both your chickens fare better than my boy did.

 

[lovincolorado]

heart disease is a common reason for them to drop dead! I agree with Pozees

 

[Pozees]

We had a Cochin hen get super pale all of a sudden. We brought her inside, and started giving her extra protein. After two days inside, she was acting better, and now a month later she's foraging with the flock again. I would have been very sad to lose her she was one of our first Cochins.

That's encouraging! Bob was just reading an article recommending raw liver to boost protein and iron, which I've never tried but I know several other people feed it regularly, so I may have to try it.

 

[Ashdoes]

We did liver for the ducks, messy nasty stuff to deal with, but they loved it. And I think that animal protein would really help.