Help! Chickens toes coming off!

[chicknmania]

I have never known a chicken to loose toes. But, to each his own. To OP, I wish you the best possible outcome in this situation.

There have been posts on here in the past about chickens losing toes from frostbite, and also Scaly leg mites. it's more common than you think.

 

[chicknmania]

I don’t think I posted a reply correctly. Should I still deworm the flock?

If I were you, I would. It won't hurt them. If you want to be sure, you can ask a vet to do a fecal check for you. That will give you information about what exactly you're dealing with, and it's not an expensive procedure. At least not here. If you deworm though, check to see what the withdrawal period is for egg/ meat consumption.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Personally, if she were in my flock I'd cull her and chalk it up to a lesson learned: why it's important to keep a closed flock. Such an outward appearance that points to very poor flock management would lead you to wonder what internal issues you will also be seeing in these birds. A bird that has both feet so severely compromised by frost bite has been in what I can only assume are at best lack of ventilation in an overcrowded coop, and at worst, horrid management. Given the fact that she is underweight, there may be other disease factors involved.

The reasoning isn't to keep up an outward appearance. Weak birds are more likely to harbor and pass on diseases, thus infecting the remainder of the flock. It is a viable option and definitely worth considering.

I have to agree with all that said frostbite. It may have happened prior to you getting it and maybe not.

From the photos it appears to be the outer part of the toes most affected. They are also heavily caked in mud. That leads me to believe that she likely was on a roost that is much too small (narrow) and wasn't able to cover her feet with her breast for warmth or she's been standing on cold wet ground and not roosting.

How many of her toes are affected? All of the front toes? If so, this will make it extremely difficult for her to perch/roost properly if she loses those toes. I would opt for culling for a humane end.

 

[lazy gardener]

From the photos it appears to be the outer part of the toes most affected. They are also heavily caked in mud. That leads me to believe that she likely was on a roost that is much too small (narrow) and wasn't able to cover her feet with her breast for warmth or she's been standing on cold wet ground and not roosting.

How many of her toes are affected? All of the front toes? If so, this will make it extremely difficult for her to perch/roost properly if she loses those toes. I would opt for culling for a humane end.

Given the condition of the toes, it is likely that she has not been able to roost for quite some time. Which puts her at further risk of more frost bite in the future.

 

[Eggcessive]

Frostbite is not that uncommon especially with the extreme cold that we had in December and January here for about 6 weeks. If a chicken accidentally steps into a water bowl (mine are heated dog bowls) for just a second when the temps are in the 0-15 degree F range, they can get toes frostbitten.

I would either put some betadine on the toes or some daily Epsom salts soaks daily, and wait until the tips come off. Then just treat her with some TLC. When they lose toes and not the whole foot, they usually can do okay.

Valbazen is what I recommend for worming, but SafeGuard Lquid Goat Wormer is very good too. A vet can do a fecal float on some fresh droppings, and rule out worms or identify which ones are present, so that you do not worm them unnecessarily.

 

[lorenlouise08]

I appreciate everyone’s input. As far as the roosts, what they have is the same size as any commercially bought coop. I love my chickens, but at the end of the day they are egg producers more so than pets. I don’t have the means to quarantine a sick chicken. I know that a lot of you will disagree with that statement, and I’m sorry.

I will go ahead and deworm the flock, because as I was reading into everything, from the looks of their stools and the egg production that’s likely present as well.

Very disappointing to say the least. I am going home after work to look at the rest of the girls. Really hoping all of that money isn’t down the drain.

 

[andreanar]

Each chicken keeper has to do what they feel is right. If you feel she should be culled, that's your decision. If you want to try to save her, you've been given good advice. To some of us, our chickens are more of pets, and to some our chickens are more of livestock. Whichever you decide, is fine. Good luck.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Seems like you are giving these girls a better life by far than they had. You are clearly a caring person.

What I see of commercially bought coops are usually skinny poles not flat boards, so might be worth consideration to avoid further issues. If you live in a warmer climate it seems less crucial of course.

Avoiding mud is helpful to prevent problems too. I put up a temporary run mid winter in a spot that had been getting too much foot traffic so was muddy. I've been throwing hay straw and wood shavings down as the mud starts to show, their feet might get a bit wet but not mud encased at least.

Good luck with your flock.

 

[chickenmeadow]

Sorry you found your chicken/s in this condition, hope they are doing better now. If those were my chickens, the first idea would be frostbite. It's surely uncomfortable for your sweeties, but they can heal eventually from it & continue on - sightly incombered. Cold weather & wet conditions can be hard on a flock. I've learned to keep the coop as dry as possible (using sand trays under the roosts to collect moister daily with kitty litter scoop); not feed them warm steamy food/water (as this comfort favor can cause steam moisture on their faces); try to keep straw, etc, on the run area & give roosting/sunning poles to help keep them out of wet mud that can stick; & make sure that coop roosting poles/branches/2x4's/2x3's on flat sides are wide enough that they can squat to cover feet/toes with their feathers/body for warmth while roosting at night in cold weather. As we learn & share ideas/experiences; do our research; & then do our best to make good decisions, our chickens/poultry live the better lives that they deserve. Best wishes.

 

[lorenlouise08]

My chicken run is almost always muddy! I didn’t know it needed to stay dry. I do have hay that I can throw in there.