I give up! Can't tell what's going on, and won't cut anymore..

[eamoret]

I've been digging around in my chickens foot looking for bumblefoot kernels and pus, but am finding nothing. I can't get past this fleshy skin piece and the rest of the pad just feels soft. It's not red, it's not hard, it's not warm to the touch. She walks on it just fine. It's just big and doesn't look normal to me. She had the dark spots, which resemble the bumblefoot scab.. but upon removal, there was clean skin underneath. They almost seemed like just sections of calloused skin.

I'm not sure what to do. Since I've broken the skin now she is bandaged up with an iodine and sugar mixture, gauze and vet wrap. I'm also keeping her in the house at night and letting her free range all day with the flock in the soft grass. Should I just let this heal up and see what happens? I hate to keep digging around if it's not even bumblefoot. I just got her less than a week ago and she's already stressed as it is. I'd like to believe this is a deformity and not bumblefoot, but I'm no chicken expert.

 

[Mavrik]

I went thought the same thing about ten months ago with 11 feet, never found a kernel, did find stringy puss. Try to go down about 1/4", cut an opening if you have to. What every you do, be bold and don't procrastinate. I was timid with my first foot and ended up putting the chicken down because of it.

BTW, there is a close up feature on most cameras (usually a flower icon)

 

[theoldchick]

I like to use iodine and Epsom salt mixture with a light wrap on my bumblefoot cases. However, I've learned to avoid cutting out a 'corn'. I leave them alone unless the bird is lame.

 

[eamoret]

I went thought the same thing about ten months ago with 11 feet, never found a kernel, did find stringy puss. Try to go down about 1/4", cut an opening if you have to. What every you do, be bold and don't procrastinate. I was timid with my first foot and ended up putting the chicken down because of it.

BTW, there is a close up feature on most cameras (usually a flower icon)

Thank you for your response! Sorry about the picture quality. I was using my cellphone, it takes horrible pictures even with the macro setting. I lost the charger for my regular digital camera. Anyways, in your opinion, do you think this is bumblefoot? If so, how severe does it look? I don't know a thing about this stuff. I spoke to a vet who recommended trying a noninvasive approach. He has chickens and gave me some suggestions for it. He said if it didn't work, then we'd figure something else out. He said to soak it in epsom salt water solution once a day, rub the legs with vaseline and bandage with a 'salve', keep her indoors at night and free ranging during the day. Others are saying to nip it in the bud right away. So many mixed messages. I'm confuuuuused.

 

[CMV]

If the foot looks relatively normal, is not hot, is not red and she is not limping on it why on earth are you cutting into it?

 

[eamoret]

If the foot looks relatively normal, is not hot, is not red and she is not limping on it why on earth are you cutting into it?

It looks 'normal', besides the fact the pad is twice the size as it is on the other foot and it has a bumblefoot look to it. I assumed that's what it was, but now I'm not so sure which is why I'm on here asking about it. Would it have been better that I ignored it and didn't bother looking to see what was really going on? I've never had a chicken with bumblefoot. I'm looking for advice and suggestions, not someone to question my motives. I have the best intentions in the world for these chickens and just wanted some help from someone who knows more than I do. Can you offer any advice? If not, why are you responding?

 

[eamoret]

I like to use iodine and Epsom salt mixture with a light wrap on my bumblefoot cases. However, I've learned to avoid cutting out a 'corn'. I leave them alone unless the bird is lame.

Thank you! I'll leave it alone and if it gets worse I'll just be taking her to a vet. Quite frankly, I don't know what I'm doing. Chicken feet problems are foreign to me. I've just been putting iodine on a gauze pad and wrapping it on her foot with the vet tape. I will add some Epsom salt to the iodine and give that a try. I appreciate your feedback.