does a scab on foot definitely mean bumblefoot?

[elissarules]

I have become overwhelmed by the amount of birds I have with with scabs on their feet. Most of the scabs are small, like the head of one of those fabric pins? The ones with the colorful heads? I recently attempted to remove the scab and look for a core...but there's no core? There's no cheesy bits. So I just end up removing the scab and whatever I can manage to pull out of the bird (which I fear is just flesh), pack antibacterial ointment, wrap it up, and go about my day until I change the bandage.

This is probably a dumb question, but I don't know who else to ask!

 

[coach723]

Chickens get small cuts, scrapes and splinters on their feet all the time. When infection sets in and their bodies try to contain it, it becomes bumblefoot. Not every injury will become bumblefoot. If the spots are tiny, there is no swelling or redness, then I would just do topical treatments and they may resolve that way. If they continue to get larger, have swelling or redness, or the bird is limping, then more probably needs to be done. Bumblefoot is generally a slow happening thing, so no need to panic for the small ones. You can use veterycin spray, antibiotic ointment, etc. Topical treatments may take awhile, but often work fine for small injuries. Finding them when they are small is much easier to treat than waiting until they are large and painful.

 

[elissarules]

Chickens get small cuts, scrapes and splinters on their feet all the time. When infection sets in and their bodies try to contain it, it becomes bumblefoot. Not every injury will become bumblefoot. If the spots are tiny, there is no swelling or redness, then I would just do topical treatments and they may resolve that way. If they continue to get larger, have swelling or redness, or the bird is limping, then more probably needs to be done. Bumblefoot is generally a slow happening thing, so no need to panic for the small ones. You can use veterycin spray, antibiotic ointment, etc. Topical treatments may take awhile, but often work fine for small injuries. Finding them when they are small is much easier to treat than waiting until they are large and painful.

So should I still treat like bumblefoot, but without the invasive practice? Wrapping them etc?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is best to see a picture of the scabs. I do not do bumblefoot surgery unless a bird is limping or the bumble is red and swollen. You may want to look at your soil for sharp rocks, sharp pieces of bedding, or other causes of the tiny cuts. My soil has sharp rocks that come to the surface, so I have to try and sweep them up and keep them out.

 

[coach723]

Really depends on the particular foot. If it looks like it needs to be protected, then I would wrap. For some, just treat and turn them loose. For some I might just check the foot daily, or every other day, just to see how it looks. Tiny ones may resolve without any intervention. If you are finding an overwhelming amount of foot injuries, you may need to look at the environment and figure out what is causing it. Do roosts need sanding? Do you have very rock soil? Are birds jumping from too high? Etc.

 

[elissarules]

Really depends on the particular foot. If it looks like it needs to be protected, then I would wrap. For some, just treat and turn them loose. For some I might just check the foot daily, or every other day, just to see how it looks. Tiny ones may resolve without any intervention. If you are finding an overwhelming amount of foot injuries, you may need to look at the environment and figure out what is causing it. Do roosts need sanding? Do you have very rock soil? Are birds jumping from too high? Etc.

this was before i updated my roosts. okay. Thank you so much... I'll keep an updated look at things. Thank you!!!

 

[TrialNerror]

This post is exactly what I was looking for! We surgically removed 2 obvious bumblefoot plugs today then decided to inspect everyone else. We found SO many other black scabs (no swelling or limping) & started surgically removing. After 2 more tiny ones we decided surely they didn't all need treatment. I just don't know if they need anything or nothing. So confusing!