Hen Stepped in Cat Manure

[ClareScifi]

Tonight I saw one of my hens accidentally step in cat manure that was pretty soft. It got all over her feet. It was right before bedtime.

I debated what to do. She walked around in the grass and got some of it off, but then she flew up onto her nighttime perch.

Do you think this could cause her to get bumblefoot?

I thought about taking a washcloth to her feet, but she was all settled in for the night, and I wasn't sure it would be easy to do without getting her perch all wet or traumatizing her. She's on the flighty side.

Do you think I should have washed off her feet? Should I still try to do so. It is 9:30 p.m. and dark, and she is snuggled up to the rooster.

All advice will be appreciated.

 

[chicken241]

She will be ok don't worry. If she got it off on the grass it will be ok

 

[ClareScifi]

Thanks, Chicken241! She did seem fine today.

I am glad I researched bumblefoot, though. I think I have their perches too high. Actually, they roost on what was never intended to be a roost/perch, but rather a shelf for storing things, but I never stored anything on it, and they took it over as their nighty-night spot, and some of the girls like to lay their eggs up there. It is about 4 feet off the ground. The floor is hard dirt covered with pine shavings.

I need to build a ladder or some steps, so they don't get bumblefoot, but I suspect they wouldn't use a ladder or steps. Maybe I should just fill it up with stuff to discourage them from sleeping there?

The big fat 2-year-old Barred Rock doesn't ever fly up there, thankfully. But the rooster, the 2 white girls (half-leghorns) and sometimes the Sebright Bantie, also, sleep there. I've read that a perch should never be more than 18" off the ground.

Clare