Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Is it possible that you don't know your chickens have bumble feet, given spending a decent amount of time with them but no checking on feet?

You would notice your chicken limping or favoring the foot with the bumble. It would be pretty obvious. Untreated it can progress to be pretty serious. @Kris5902 had a rooster with a very serious case of bumblefoot at one time.

 

[Ponypoor]

So, @BY Bob , or anyone else who has knowledge regarding this:

Last night I read an article regarding Bumblefoot, and it said you shouldn't give chicks roosts until they are at least 4 weeks old, as it can damage their feet and predispose them to bumblefoot later.

I had always assumed (Yes, I know what 'ass-u-me-d' is sometimes restated as.) that it was good to give them things to jump up on (enrichment in general), and differing sized roosts for exercise/use of foot muscles.

Now I am not sure what to think. One would imagine that in the wild they go 'up' as soon as they are able, as it is safer for them, and that even before they can fly they are encountering sticks, logs, rock, etc. on the ground that they will step on/hop on. ??????

These are pictures of what I have in my current chicks' brooder. They have been in this brooder and had these things since they were 5 days old.

This is a roost made out of a 2X3 on it's flat side. They were using the 'steps' of the supports to hop up before they could fly. It is hard to tell, but I sanded the 'hard corners' off the top edges before making the roost with leftover scraps of wood.
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Sorry, best pic. I have of the branch. It is somewhat arched, so the majority of it is about an inch+ above the bedding. It doesn't have too rough of a bark, but it isn't perfectly smooth, either. Each of the 3 'legs' has a different size diameter...between that, the arching so raised, and the fact that it is very stable... and I thought this was perfect for chicks.
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Then, of course, once they could 'hop-fly' and were pooping on top of the brooder plate, I added the cardboard box with shavings. Of course, they promptly started roosting at times on the edge of the cardboard...as the white chick is in this photo.
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For 'enrichment/healthy environment' they also have a dust bath and get a hunk of grass or weeds with soil embedded in the roots daily for their scratching/exploring pleasure. Initially the dust bath was a rugged but short cardboard box - you can see that in the second pic above, (which, again, they roosted on at times), now that they are bigger AND can fly, it is a decent sized round plastic planter pot that has the rolled edges, so is quite smooth. (and yes, they perch on that, too)


SO: are these perching/roosting things good, bad???? I'm not sure what to think. My adults do occasionally get bumble foot. I usually catch it early and it isn't a big deal...sometimes I don't catch it right away....but while I DO have some cases, I don't get a lot of them...roughly 2-4 cases a summer with all my adults. (they rarely get them in the winter as they aren't off exploring and getting into trouble when there is snow on the ground...they keep to the shoveled run and an area in the field around 2 shrubs that I also usually shovel) As a reference, I presently have 96 adults between chickens, ducks & geese with another 33 chicks. (Adults are counting my teens) And I have already processed 10 this year (mostly young ducks(drakes) but a few hens, too)

My kiddies roosted as soon as they could flap, hop up onto things. I feel in the wild they would roost in trees on branches so in my thoughts it is natural for them to roost.

I think more importantly is to keep the roost clean and free of poop. That is what will keep the bumble foot at bay. Prevent feces from getting onto the feet and possibly getting into crevasses causing infections.

 

[BY Bob]

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From a tiny kitten too a lost ferrol cat now sleeps while purring on my couch

What a darling. You are blessed.

 

[BY Bob]

A watched pot never boils!


Just be careful. One day you will look at them and say 'OMG, they are TEENS"

Yup. They grow too fast.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks, she is a real character! I have given the birds access to my garden, except for the Swiss Chard bed which I tried to block off unsuccessfully. Rosa knows that I don't want her in there, so she jumps up into the raised bed when I am not watching and gobbles as much as she can! When I notice and call her name "Roooossssaaa!" she gives me a mischievous look and hops down... until the next time that I am not looking!

It got down to -4C last night, so I think I will just give them access to the whole thing now. Rosa will be pleased.

Hey! Haven’t heard from you in a bit

How’s the north? -4c brr! Been very mild here havent even had frost yet! Bet all of a sudden it will just get miserable and start snowing hahaha.

Everyone is enjoying the nice weather, yesterday I let them out in the horse paddock and they went gaga over catching crickets - it was hilarious watching them run gobble run gobble…. Glad I am not a cricket around that lot!!!!

 

[Ponypoor]

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From a tiny kitten too a lost ferrol cat now sleeps while purring on my couch

Awwww what a lovely moggy Such a handsome kitty

 

[BY Bob]

I don't think the statement makes sense either. There are enough other articles out that are lacking thorough and thoughtful study re: chicken behavior and/or are based solely upon the large scale production situations for me to seriously question the validity of that article.

This is right on!

For example there is actually a "scientific" study that says hens are more attracted to roosters with the biggest wattles.

 

[BY Bob]

The challenge is getting into the woods to harvest the worst areas. We have some seriously rough country and a dearth of road, tracks or other access. Packing trees out via horse back (or other pack beast) is so far beyond practical. There have been enough hissy fits about the environment to ban motorized vehicle access, logging, or other use beyond hiking through brush I some areas. Those same areas are frequently in need of major wood hauling or become the new fire area. It's a fine balance to maintain, and NEVER easy or simple.

You could not drag the the trunk out with a horse? I can't imagine packing logs on a horse.

Logging tax

 

[lightm]

You would notice your chicken limping or favoring the foot with the bumble. It would be pretty obvious. Untreated it can progress to be pretty serious. @Kris5902 had a rooster with a very serious case of bumblefoot at one time.

Thanks.

I remember him (roostie?). Poor guy was gone after got almost healed up if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[lightm]

You could not drag the the trunk out with a horse? I can't imagine packing logs on a horse.

Logging tax
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So cute. I just want to cuddle her in this picture.