Hen keeps sitting down //Help//

[fatimastic]

The abdomen not being hard is good! Could I see a less close up picture of the vent to see a bigger area?

Is this fine?

 

[6BeachChicks]

Thats better! Could the other hens have been feather picking?

 

[fatimastic]

For bumblefoot, I'd use an old terrycloth rag to dry her foot semi-roughly after she's had a good 15 to 20 minute soak in a warm bath. Add Epsom salts to the bath if you can, as they're beneficial. Temperature of the bath should be hot, yet placing your entire hand and wrist in the water and leaving it there should not be painful. The heat will help to express the pus kernel. The terry rags nap helps snag any loose skin around the plug, making it easier to catch and pull it open without a scalpel or knife. Once open, and while wearing protective gloves (bumblefoot is septic), apply firm yet gentle pressure to excise the plug (like you'd squeeze out a pimple), getting all the cheesy goo out of the wound. Fill the resulting wound with triple antibiotic and fashion a sports-tape bootie over the wound to keep the worst of the dirt out. Change bandage every couple days and examine the wound for continued infection. Be mindful that while sometimes this can be corrected in one treatment, some birds require multiple attempts to clear the entire infection.
Keeping you and your feathered family in my prayers.

Thank you for the reply and the prayers!

I tried to remove the scab before I could read your post.

I was only able to remove half of the scab on the less infected foot. I did let her soak in epsom salt water for around 20 mins. I will try again tomorrow and rub her feet with a terrycloth.

 

[fatimastic]

Thats better! Could the other hens have been feather picking?

Yes. They have been bullying her a lot. She is one of the lowest in the pecking order.

Should I let her with her flock tomorrow? I have school tomorrow so I wont be able to aid her for 8 hours.

 

[fatimastic]

I touched on reproductive infection and its symptoms in post #32. Swelling and redness is a symptom.

I will continue the antibiotics as per the dosage.

 

[6BeachChicks]

Keep trying with the bumblefoot and soak until all of it is out. Will someone be at the house to watch her?

 

[6BeachChicks]

What is your chicken coop/run setup?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

 

[6BeachChicks]

@Wyorp Rock, your thoughts on this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock, your thoughts on this?

I have now been tagged 3 times to this thread. 2 other educators have already responded to this thread, I have nothing that I can add to their suggestions at this time.