Is this Bumble foot on my rir??

[Clemmy]

Hey everyone. This is my relatively old Rhode Island Red hen. (We think she's 2-3) Just today I've noticed a dark, small spot on her foot. It is not firm, like common bumble foot, but I can't figure out what else it might be... a cut maybe? There is some redness around the spot. (the picture on the right is the other foot, the one that's okay). Any thoughts or advice is helpful.


Thanks,
Clemmy.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

The first pic yes but no the other one.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

There may be something inside the foot/cut

 

[Eggcessive]

It is early bumblefoot. I would probably try soaking the foot in Epsom salts and warm water for twenty minutes a day to see if it helps. I probably would not do surgery on it at this point unless she is limping from it. Bumblefoot occurs with small cuts on the footpad when bacteria enter the skin. Here is a good link about bumblefoot:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/

 

[Clemmy]

Thank you so much! Would taking the pressure off of the cut help?? I saw a post where someone put a doughnut air pad under the cut, and the bumble foot healed. My Hen is not limping, so I will take your advice and soak her foot in epsom salts.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would worry about any small dressing or pad coming off, and one of the chickens possibly eating it. The main thing is to clean the foot, so the cut heals and clears up. If I were to put anything on it, I would use a dressing with betadine or neosporin ointment, with a 2x2 folded and several 1 inch strips of vet wrap or cohesive bandage on the foot, just like a bumble foot dressing. But careful not to get the vet wrap too tight to cut off circulation.

 

[Clemmy]

Where can you find vet wrap?? TSC?

 

[Eggcessive]

Most feed stores sell it in the horse aisle, and it is online. First aid aisles of Walmart have cohesive bandages, and all can be cut into 1 inch strips.

 

[Clemmy]

Thanks! I'll try that out.