Dark Brahma roo with foot problems.... anybody know what is wrong???

[FortWorthChicks]

still no answers..

 

[Kittymomma]

A pic would help a lot. Have you tried soaking his feet/legs in a warm sink for around 15 minutes and seeing what all scrubs off? I'd get him cleaned up as best you can and then post some pictures. The only thing that comes to mind is ring worm and I'm not even sure that chickens can get that on their legs???? If it is you would treat it by washing his legs daily, drying completly and then applying anti-fungal cream.

 

[justmeandtheflock]

I have a similar problem with my 6 month old silky roo. He has a cross beak and is on the skinny side. I noticed that both of his 2nd toes are swollen and had black scabs on them. I have him in teh house up on wire so that his feet stay dry and clean. I have been soaking them everynight and the scabs have come off. The soar area is healing up but he lost one of the toenails completly and the other one is broken very short. The area appears a little yellow where it is healing. Also, the tip of his toe is pink instead of dark gray. The rest of his toes are perfect and none of my other birds including another silky have any problems. I was thinking frostbite but wouldn't his other toes have been affected? I didn't take any pictures of the scabs

 

[lostsoulhelpmejebus]

Quote:
I am no expert but what you are describing sounds like frostbite damage. The feet will swell, they lift their feet when they walk like they are in a parade, for lack of a better description. We had a couple of boys that lost partial toes due to the horrible winter we had. They turn black and look like they are dried/withered. Eventually they will fall off, usually there is a small amount of blood that quickly heals over. Had 1 boy who had frostbit comb and it proceeded basically the same...turned black with a dried withered look and the dead area ( 2 of the points on the top ) finally just fell off.


As long as he can get around, eat and drink carry on normally, he could survive with a partial toe or a lost toe. If it is really bad and he looses most of his toes, a foot or just can't stand/walk on his own and be functional...then I know of no other option than to do the humane thing.

Perhaps one of the resident experts would care to comment? You have my opinion based on your post. I understand how sweet he is and how very much you want to do the very best for him. Wishing you much luck!!!!!!!!

 

[hunnybunny]

Sorry I havent been back on with pics.... never could figure out how to post it....

and havent been back on the site in a long while.
I really appreciate everyones input on this matter though.

Believe it or not, this fellas whole foot fell off last week, and looked like a fossilized foot.
The other foot has toes that will soon come off too.
I know the humane thing to do is to put him down, but I just cant do it....I do go out there with the notion to do it, then he hops over to me and nuzzles between my feet, I just cry and change my mind. He is a very unusually friendly chicken.
But I dont think he will survive much longer, his problem with his feet still look bad and he has lost all his weight. He is just feathers and bones. I guess I need to find a friend that may be able to do the deed since I cant.
It sounds like frostbite by all the descriptions Ive seen, but when he first started coming down with it there was no freezing temps, so I am still at a loss over the reason for it. It isnt contagious as no other chickens here ever got it.
Maybe he has a circulation problem....anyway theres nothing I can do now...as his feet cant grow back.

 

[Tangerine farmer]

There has to be something to explain this... I will repost this sounding more DRAMATIC.... and perhaps someone will respond soon. He hasn't much time left!!

 

[hunnybunny]

Thank you for your help Tangerine farmer......I appreciate it.
I think he will be gone soon though......he is looking bad.
Plus he cant hardly get around with no feet. He is pitiful. Wish I could have saved him.

 

[Tangerine farmer]

I got some replies to my post ... antibiotics suggested. Vitamin deficiency possible (in wild birds), frost bite (not in yours). One parakeet was fine without his feet. But it sounds like your big fellow is on his way out. It got to him, unfortunately! I'm sorry!

 

[hunnybunny]

Oh, I tried almost every antibiotic there was....nothing seemed to help.
I hope I NEVER have another chicken to have a problem like that...it is awful!
It is hard to sit and watch a pet deteriorate like that and you cant help, or at least dont know HOW to help.
Every morning I hope he has "passed" during the night to end his suffering, but then I go check and he comes hopping out.

 

[DAS]

We had a dark brahma with a similar problem. He died last fall. His legs were very large. They were 2-3 times the size of his brothers. He didn't lose his toes or anything. Up until a couple of days prior to his dying, he seemed fine-other than having huge legs. I'm betting that it's a circulation problem. If he lost blood flow to his feet maybe this caused the tissue to die?