And now I’ll post again because I need some help... again ! 
. I just noticed this morning that at least five of my chickens have bumblefoot. Only one is pretty severe, Cannelle, but I would like to address the issue. I’m really worried as it's the first time i’m dealing with this, and of course just when i’m leaving for two days next week which I haven't done in a year. There has been a lot of great info on this thread that I read again carefully, but I still have a ton of questions, and I really hope some of you may help.
Cannelle is the only one whose foot is swollen. Looks bad but she isn't limping so I guess it doesn't hurt her so much.
My first practical question is that I have some Epsom salt that's been around for two years and it's gone liquid. My partner is going in town tomorrow and will get some, and all the supplies we need. Do you think I should still use the old Epsom salt today, or just soak them in plain water, or maybe add betaine today to the soak and switch to Epsom salt tomorrow? And do I need to make a different bath for each chicken, since we're dealing with a bacteria or can the same bath be used for all ?
My second question is whether we need to make daily bandages for all the light cases, or is it possible to do just the soaking ? Some of these chickens are very skittish and I think it won't go well. Or maybe do it a bandage for all the chickens but only every two day ?
I will use human corn dressings for Cannelle as I unfortunately have a bunch of those for my own bumblefoot
. Any opinion as to whether it would be useful to try drawing salve for her since she’s so swollen ? She’s one of the skittish so if we can avoid having to open the scab it would be best by all means.
My fourth question is about the cause of the problem. We were really glad to have changed the roost and added a ramp three months ago but now I feel dreadful that obviously the new setting caused this problem. I really can't imagine that it comes from the roosts as they are made of old wood and very round and big. So it must be the ramp. I took several pictures to ask if you can see what's wrong. I was thinking maybe they hurt their foot rubbing the screws ? I’m not sure if we should just give up on the ramp idea, or if we can improve it. I have a mite problem in the coop so I can't add soft material on it as it would allow the mites to crawl under.
I was thinking of maybe putting a chair so they can hop on the roost instead of using the ramp.
Thank you all so much for any help you could give. I’m inclined to cancel my get away as i’m pretty sure my partner is not going to spend two hours bathing and bandaging unwilling chickens if he’s alone.
Here’s a picture of Piou-piou for some cheers. Her feet are so dirty from scratching around that I can't even tell if she has it or not
.
. I just noticed this morning that at least five of my chickens have bumblefoot. Only one is pretty severe, Cannelle, but I would like to address the issue. I’m really worried as it's the first time i’m dealing with this, and of course just when i’m leaving for two days next week which I haven't done in a year. There has been a lot of great info on this thread that I read again carefully, but I still have a ton of questions, and I really hope some of you may help.Cannelle is the only one whose foot is swollen. Looks bad but she isn't limping so I guess it doesn't hurt her so much.
My first practical question is that I have some Epsom salt that's been around for two years and it's gone liquid. My partner is going in town tomorrow and will get some, and all the supplies we need. Do you think I should still use the old Epsom salt today, or just soak them in plain water, or maybe add betaine today to the soak and switch to Epsom salt tomorrow? And do I need to make a different bath for each chicken, since we're dealing with a bacteria or can the same bath be used for all ?
My second question is whether we need to make daily bandages for all the light cases, or is it possible to do just the soaking ? Some of these chickens are very skittish and I think it won't go well. Or maybe do it a bandage for all the chickens but only every two day ?
I will use human corn dressings for Cannelle as I unfortunately have a bunch of those for my own bumblefoot
. Any opinion as to whether it would be useful to try drawing salve for her since she’s so swollen ? She’s one of the skittish so if we can avoid having to open the scab it would be best by all means.My fourth question is about the cause of the problem. We were really glad to have changed the roost and added a ramp three months ago but now I feel dreadful that obviously the new setting caused this problem. I really can't imagine that it comes from the roosts as they are made of old wood and very round and big. So it must be the ramp. I took several pictures to ask if you can see what's wrong. I was thinking maybe they hurt their foot rubbing the screws ? I’m not sure if we should just give up on the ramp idea, or if we can improve it. I have a mite problem in the coop so I can't add soft material on it as it would allow the mites to crawl under.
I was thinking of maybe putting a chair so they can hop on the roost instead of using the ramp.
Thank you all so much for any help you could give. I’m inclined to cancel my get away as i’m pretty sure my partner is not going to spend two hours bathing and bandaging unwilling chickens if he’s alone.
Here’s a picture of Piou-piou for some cheers. Her feet are so dirty from scratching around that I can't even tell if she has it or not
.
