DUCKS: Bumblefoot to the max? (UPDATE: ALL PICS IN)

[jmc]

Unfortunately, my photographer has a very shaky hand

But I hope these pics will suffice.

I checked 5 of our ten Campbell hens, and 4 have a definite foot thing, just like you see in these pics.

If I end up with 8 cases of Bumblefoot simultaneously, oh no....................................................................................................................................................................................

more pics very soon

another

another

three more pics to go

 

[nettie]

by the looks of that top pics, it does look iffy.. That scab is not a good sign. Does it feel swollen or hard underneath? Ducks do get scabs from time to time on their feet from scuffing them. The can get a little raw and moisture and poop can get in the wound and sometimes infect it. That first pic you posted looks scabby and a bit swollen. It might be the starts of bumble. If you can post more pics of each birds feet, it will help the diagnoses, but that first foot doesn't look good. If you feel up to it yourself, you can open the scabs up and try to cut the puss plug out. Then you'll have to apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area, and keep it clean and dry while it heals. Keeping affected birds in rubbermaid totes with shavings/pellets for bedding with a puppy pad over the bedding will provide a dry area that will keep the duck from moving around too much. You might have quite a few in ducky hospital for awhile...

 

[nettie]

oh you posted more as i was writing my response... those do not look good. I hate to say it, but it looks like they have bumblefoot...

For reference, in the second pic, the toe joint under the scabby one is a regular callous.

 

[TrystInn]

Classic bumblefoot from what I can see.

A few things to consider:
the surface of the duck pen's floor
Niacin levels in the feed


Good luck!

 

[gumpsgirl]

It looks like bumblefoot to me too, but I don't have ducks so I could be wrong. It just looks the same as my chickens feet did when they had bumblefoot.

 

[jmc]

To repeat: "Oh no.................................................................................................................................................

Have been adding Brewers Yeast at a rate of about 140mg per gallon to water, for just over three weeks now.

Bedding in 10 X 16 foot cage for ducks is wood shavings. I can only keep it so dry, y'know, as duck poop is nearly all water!!!!

But each Saturday I do the 2 hour chore of going through the bedding and taking out the big poop patties and meatballs and some of the wetter stuff (but not all)

Then I stir and mix and rotate alll the bedding until the next Saturday.

I can't switch to pellets. The area is too large and the pels too heavy.

The duck yard is 5 % soft sand, 5% packed hard earth with typical perennial New England stones and pebbles forever appearing, and 90 % grass.

Their pasture is about 6,500 sq. ft.

They get fresh water in their pools. I never leave water for two days. Nor do I actually give them a pool each day.................


I AM POSTING MORE PICS TOMORROW.

I really appreciate your comments.

 

[songbird]

Hi,
I didn't notice how much you said they are swimming? This looks like bumblefoot, and the best solution is for your to "offload" pressure to the affected areas of the feet. For ducks, that means the more time swimming, the better. This is because getting the pressure off the wounds allows circulation to return to the damaged area. Bumblefoot is a derangement of circulation, so restoring circulation is key.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Usually you add the brewers yeast to their food. I wonder if it gets too diluted in the water? If you use crushed niacin tablets it may be strong enough to dilute in water.

 

[jmc]

Quote:
Interesting. I was following Holderread's recommendation re. this problem.

hmmm

 

[chickensioux]

Wow, so sorry you are having this problem but I have to tell you, I have a hen (my oldest girl-6 yrs.) that has had bumblefoot for several years. I keep an eye on her as far as swelling, limping, etc. and she has not had a real problem from it. Her scab is med. sized on one foot. As long as she is not showing any ill effects from it, I have left her alone. I struggled for over a year with one other hen (soaking, meds, vet visits, etc) and she ultimately died. I'm not saying ignore your issue but if they aren't in pain (and I can only speak for what I would do) just keep an eye on them. Good luck, I hope they do well.