How to soak feet?

[Tomandlu]

We have a chicken with bumble foot -grade 2 on one foot, grade 3 on the other. I've read to soak their feet in Epsom salt water (1 cup/gallon), among other things. My question:. How in the heck do you get a chicken to soak her feet for 20 minutes? Today was day one, I wrapped her in a towel and set her on her back in my lap. She seemed to like that. I tied 1" strips of terry towel all around her feet and between her toes and poured warm salt water on them for 20 minutes. It worked, but we were both pretty soaked afterwards. I've read multiple threads where people have soaked their chickens feet in a bucket and I want to learn how to hold them to do that for tomorrow. TIA.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have a dish pan, shallow tote, etc?

Just mix the epsom salts into the water in the tub or tote. Put the chicken in the tub/tote feet first. Usually they will stand there on their own, but you can drape a towel over her if you need to.

10-15 minutes is plenty of soaking time.

 

[Tonyroo]

I soaked my pullet's feet in my tub of cold water, she had a fever in one of her feet. She just stood there for 20 minutes, I did clean her feet since it was soaking.

 

[dawg53]

@Tomandlu In addition to what Wyorp Rock stated, chickens love to squat down in a container of warm water, it relaxes them. Just fill a container up half full of warm water and add the epsom salts and stir until dissolved. Then put the bird in the container and hold her in place and she'll squat down in the warm water. Easy peasy.

BTW: What is grade 2 and grade 3 bumblefoot? Bumblefoot is bumblefoot and requires minor surgery unless there isnt any redness and swelling. If that's the case, minor surgery isnt required, the bumblefoot will go away on its own.

@Tonyroo Fever in a foot? If you're were treating for bumblefoot, warm water draws up the infection.

 

[casportpony]

BTW: What is grade 2 and grade 3 bumblefoot? Bumblefoot is bumblefoot and requires minor surgery unless there isnt any redness and swelling. If that's the case, minor surgery isnt required, the bumblefoot will go away on its own.

 

[casportpony]

How in the heck do you get a chicken to soak her feet for 20 minutes?

I am too lazy to use a bucket, so I fill by bathtub with warm water ad let them stand in it.

 

[Tomandlu]

Thanks everyone! I'm going out to try standing her in a low tray (dishpan) of salt water now. That she'd stay put is not my expectation, but I've not tried this before. Chickens continue to surprise me.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks everyone! I'm going out to try standing her in a low tray (dishpan) of salt water now. That she'd stay put is not my expectation, but I've not tried this before. Chickens continue to surprise me.

First time I did it, I put my Cochin in the bathtub. She fell asleep! As long as I keep my hands on them at all, they'll stay put. I don't even have to try to keep them in, really.

 

[RoyalChick]

I don’t know whether they would stand still in a shallow pan of water but I use a storage tote and with my hands on they go into a sort of trance and nap in the warm water

 

[dawg53]

View attachment 2847085

What brainiac came up with this? They mustve been bored. I wonder if they can do the surgery and get it right the first time.