Is this normal for a Black Copper French Marans?

[LynninOK]

I haven't had very much experience with BCFM, but have a 6 month old Rooster who started limping last week. He is still developing feathers on his feet and shanks and the skin looks very irritated. I just wondered if anyone who had more experience with this breed would say that this would be normal. I put a similar post in the "Injuries" section of the forum, but haven't gotten a response.

 

[mljohnson05]

I am not an expert of that particular breed, but all my chicks have feathered feet.
And While I have seen a small amount of irritation on my chicks feet on occasion from feathers, I have not seen them that red B4.
I suggest soaking their feet in Epsome Salt with warm water (Twice a day) and then rb in some antibiotic cream like Neosporne to help the irritation.



Best Wishes,
Laura

 

[LynninOK]

Thank you! I'm going to have to doctor him at night, he was a bear to catch and is probably pretty traumatized!

 

[Illia]

Sadly yes, it can be common.

 

[LynninOK]

Quote:
It IS common that some of the feathered footed breeds be irritated by the feathers? Hmmm. I, unfortunately, feel like the limp and the red feet are unrelated and I have two separate issues to deal with. I accused my six year old of hurting him when the limp showed up, but he swears he didn't do anything. Reuben (the rooster) doesn't much care for little boys...

 

[Illia]

No, I've actually never had the issue with Brahmas, but whether the Marans be mine or someone else's at least out here, I do notice issues with broken, irritated, or stub-type feathers. I think it has to do with the fact that Marans are only a moderately feather-shanked bird, leaving enough stubs or smaller feathers around to cause irritation or injury. (to the feather and its base, I mean)

 

[mljohnson05]

Quote:
Try to give his favorite TREAT once you have finished treating or done catching him. so that he knows that it will be ok....
I think once you start to treat with warm soaks and ointment; that you will find he loves it like mine do...and my chicks often fall asleep

Best Wishes,
Laura

 

[LynninOK]

He's such a big boy, I'm a little afraid of him. I will have to buy the first bag of meal worms I come across. My chickens are all slaves to dry oatmeal, for some reason, but I have the feeling I will need the bigger guns.

 

[flgardengirl]

Bake him some cornbread. Mine all go nuts for some nice warm cornbread. You can add just about anything you want to a regular cornbread recipe too. I usually throw in some oatmeal, a can of corn, some of that 12 grain uncooked cereal etc. They aren't picky.

 

[tadkerson]

If he is limping he has injured his foot or leg in some way. Give him some time-the injury may heal and he will stop limping or it may heal and he may limp from now on.

I had a hen that had a broken leg- I put a splint on the leg (duct tape and sticks) and put her in a cage where she had to sit all the time. The leg healed and she is running with the rest of my birds.

If he is constantly preening his leg it is an indication of pain. If he stands with one leg in the air it is an indication of pain in the foot or leg. Swelling and redness are an indication of a serious problem. If he has an infection in his leg, it will swell, be red and feel warmer than the other leg. If he has an infection, you can inject 3 cc of oxytetracycline (subcutaneous) just under the skin. This will form a bolus and slowly enter the blood stream of the bird. I do this for five days and it takes care of any infections. I inject the antibiotic in the neck area where the skin is loose.


Chickens are tough- they can deal with things better than humans.


As long as he is eating and doing normal chicken things, I would not worry. If he stops moving around and his wings begin to droop- he is really sick and has some kind of an infection in his leg.


The redness to the leg would indicate an increased blood flow to the feather follicles. It takes nutrients to grow the feathers and the blood will supply the nutrients so the feathers will grow.




Tim