Dorking foot information needed!

[SurferchickinSB]

My 7 week old Dorkings are constantly injuring their feet! Last night one of them tore her nail and cut her foot! It was a bloody mess! Luckily I had some steptic powder on hand, her foot would not stop bleeding! Does anyone out there with Dorkings, know if they just have tender feet? This is not the first time this has happened! Am I supposed to file their nails?It has only happened when I am letting them free range in my yard, never happens in the coop or run.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are they scratching in?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

What are they scratching in?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Wood bark or gravel with lots of plants. They just seem like they have really weird puffy soft feet, so I don’t know if they are just prone to cutting their feet. They are only out in the main yard for a couple hours a day, otherwise they are just in their coop and run area.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The feet may toughen up over time, but the puffy feet is something I've not really seen.
What are you feeding them?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

The feet may toughen up over time, but the puffy feet is something I've not really seen.
What are you feeding them?

I am feeding them organic chick starter and then they eat lots of greens from my garden and sprouts that I grow all organic, sometimes I give them corn, bread and pasta which is most likely not organic or GMO free.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Well, no one cut their feet tonight

 

[SurferchickinSB]

The feet may toughen up over time, but the puffy feet is something I've not really seen.
What are you feeding them?

The tops of their feet look normal, but the bottoms look puffy and soft.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am feeding them organic chick starter and then they eat lots of greens from my garden and sprouts that I grow all organic, sometimes I give them corn, bread and pasta which is most likely not organic or GMO free.

Sounds like they have a nice variety. If the bread and pasta is just a small amount occasionally then that is probably o.k. Those are "empty calories" nutrition-wise and can pack on the pounds if not careful. If you are keeping these for layers, then extra fat is not good since it can cause problems later down the road - difficulty laying eggs, prolapsed vent and fatty liver syndrome are a few.

You have a really nice place for them! I hope they just needed to toughen up, but it's a good idea that you monitor the feet. Any cuts/scrapes, etc., can easily get infected on chicken's feet.

 

[drumstick diva]

If you have a run for them, what is the surface there? I'm wondering if the bottoms of their feet are making contact with something that irritates them- fungus or ???? Maybe they would do better in an enclosed run with a sand base which would be kinder on their feet.