Foot Injury

[Sandsunsurf]

Hello everyone,
I have a hen that I think has bumble foot but I’m not certain. I’ve been soaking her foot in warm water and epsom salt, then spray it with an anti microbial poultry spray and I thought she was improving, but today I noticed the tip of her outside toe on her right foot looks like it’s going to come off. She is favoring that leg and often has it pulled up while she stands on her other foot. Is there something more I should or can be doing?

 

[azygous]

The toe tip has been permanently injured. It is now dead tissue and very soon it will fall off. There is no need to do anything. Chickens auto amputate damaged extremities, and it's quite efficient.

 

[Lil Ray of Sunshine]

Hello everyone,
I have a hen that I think has bumble foot but I’m not certain. I’ve been soaking her foot in warm water and epsom salt, then spray it with an anti microbial poultry spray and I thought she was improving, but today I noticed the tip of her outside toe on her right foot looks like it’s going to come off. She is favoring that leg and often has it pulled up while she stands on her other foot. Is there something more I should or can be doing?

I agree with Azygous. It looks as though something got wrapped around the toe and cut off circulation. Maybe a piece of bedding or something.

 

[Sandsunsurf]

The toe tip has been permanently injured. It is now dead tissue and very soon it will fall off. There is no need to do anything. Chickens auto amputate damaged extremities, and it's quite efficient.

Thank you.

I agree with Azygous. It looks as though something got wrapped around the toe and cut off circulation. Maybe a piece of bedding or something.

Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

What kind of temperatures have you seen recently? Could she have frostbite in the right foot? The toe tip looks frostbitten, and there is a color difference in the right foot. Is she limping? Can she move her other toes?

 

[Callender Girl]

First off, good work on your part noticing the toe and giving the Epsom baths. Whether it's frostbite or a stricture wound, I think warm Epsom soaks will help her feel better. It sounds like she's a bit uncomfortable, so I would probably keep soaking to reduce any pain.

Some of my chickens -- especially the Salmon Faverolles -- are prone to losing their toenails and ends of their toes. Often, but not always, I later find blood in the coop and another "stumpy"-footed hen. Losing a toe -- or, in my girls' cases, two or three -- won't be a problem in the long run.

Best wishes with her recovery!

 

[Sandsunsurf]

What kind of temperatures have you seen recently? Could she have frostbite in the right foot? The toe tip looks frostbitten, and there is a color difference in the right foot. Is she limping? Can she move her other toes?

It’s possible she got a touch of frostbite in December, but I really don’t think so. I thought her right foot looked swollen and I’ve been looking after it since late December. Wouldn’t a frostbite injury fall off after about a month? Because now it’s going on three months since I first noticed her foot. Idk, it’s strange. She walks with a very slight giddy up limp, like it’s tender but other than that she does everything normal.

 

[Callender Girl]

My Eleanor had severe frostbite and bumblefoot in December. The vet cut off some of her toes, but there are still a couple of black-skinned "stumps" remaining on her feet. So, not all frostbite injuries fall off right away. I'm guessing at some point, Eleanor's will drop off. She rests on her hocks a lot, but she can walk when she wants to.

My senior hen had bumblefoot at least three years ago. Although we cured it, Honey still lifts that foot differently than the other; it's kind of like one of those high-stepping horse gaits.

Sounds like your girl is doing okay, hope she continues!