Dealing with buildup of poop/dirt between toes

[the urban chicken]

I'll preface this by saying that I did not take any pictures. My 4 year old Plymouth Barred Rock had a swelling between two toes of each foot. After inspection, I found that a wad of dirt and poop had collected in the webbing between 2 of her toes. This was the situation on each foot. I cleaned out the debris today using a warm water soak and massaging the lumps to remove them. Each lump was about the size of a small marble. While I was at it, I checked her other healthy looking toes and found the beginnings of the same problem. Cleaning these out was relatively easy and pain free. However, where the big lumps were lodged, there are now flaps of tender, loose skin. I can envision an infection setting in if I don't dress it properly.

How do I treat and dress the tender areas of her feet? I've read some articles about bumblefoot (this wasn't bumblefoot) and I assume that I should care for her feet in a similar manner(?) Also, what causes this buildup? I've had chickens for about 8 years and this my first experience with this.

Thanks all

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Those are poop/mud balls that accumulate in the folds of the foot.

I'd wouldn't wrap, I'd just check her feet at the end of the day and clean them. The skin will heal if tended to daily.

Cause? Not really sure, the threads and photos I've seen, some hens just seem to get debris stuck in the foot, probably from scratching in dirt.

 

[the urban chicken]

Thank you!

 

[raingarden]

That happens less often if the bedding is kept dry and clean.