Matilda is going to lose her feet. :(

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Try the library! I am cheap too and only watch movies once they are available to check out at the library, haha.

Great idea!

 

[Chicalina]

I am glad you replied, because i wanted to comment further on the idea of letting Matilda brood chicks. In all honestly i wasnt convinced raising chicks would be too much for her to handle. Instead, i thought doing so might ease her boredom and give her something to do. But i deferred to the advice from you and @penny1960 because the idea of chicks for Matilda this year seemed too much for ME.

After the first few days Matilda spent outside, i understood the wisdom in yall's advice. She was visibly stressed and on semi-high alert the first day while amongst her flock. Likely from not knowing what treatment to expect from the others. I saw her give a few small pecks to some hens who invaded her space, and those hens quickly retreated. Most hens paid her no mind at all. One hen did exhibit intentions to bully Matilda, who could not easily retreat. When i saw that hen bully another hen too, i put the bully in detention for a few hours and all was well. But Matilda was Noticeably tired after spending hours outside, & so yes i now clearly see chicks would have left her exhausted. Also, she would have been going outside full-time as the summer heat commenced full-force, & that would not be good for her health either.

But the Biggest reason letting her currently brood chicks would have been a Horrible idea is because of her aforementioned scratchy feet. Footless or not, im certain she would have nevertheless done her best to scratch out all the chick starter from the chick feeder. And almost certainly would have injured her still-healing feet. So thanks again for your input on that matter; im very glad i heeded it. And Matilda's stumps thank you too!

I'm so glad to hear that. I am no expert and not a vet, just an ordinary chicken keeper with a few years experience, so I can only advise based on what I would do in the same situation. I did feel a period of adjustment (and continued healing) was needed, since it really was so recent that she lost her feet. Her life has changed dramatically and she has to find her way with it first. Maybe next year for chicks, but you'll know if/when it's right. I know you will put her interests first.

I haven't read to the end of the thread yet, but if you haven't yet chosen a name for her friend, can I suggest Miss Honey? She was the wonderful kind teacher who adopted Matilda in the Roald Dahl story (also Danny de Vito movie).

 

[Chicalina]

I've just read to the end and see that others had the same idea!!!

Great minds think alike!

Miss Honey was so warm and kind and caring, it seemed so apt!

 

[Sally PB]

I think we need a picture of Miss Honey and Matilda together. Or, another picture!

 

[tripletfeb]

I'm so glad to hear that. I am no expert and not a vet, just an ordinary chicken keeper with a few years experience, so I can only advise based on what I would do in the same situation. I did feel a period of adjustment (and continued healing) was needed, since it really was so recent that she lost her feet. Her life has changed dramatically and she has to find her way with it first. Maybe next year for chicks, but you'll know if/when it's right. I know you will put her interests first.

I haven't read to the end of the thread yet, but if you haven't yet chosen a name for her friend, can I suggest Miss Honey? She was the wonderful kind teacher who adopted Matilda in the Roald Dahl story (also Danny de Vito movie).

Are you serious? Great minds think alike!

 

[Chicalina]

Are you serious? Great minds think alike!

I know right!!!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I think we need a picture of Miss Honey and Matilda together. Or, another picture!

I was thinking the same thing, now that Miss Honey has an official name, i need to get a new picture of them together! I've been amazed how many times ive looked down at Matilda to see Miss Honey standing near her. Its not like they are joined at the hip continuously, but Miss Honey definitely checks on Matilda lot. Below is another "flock" photo, with Miss Honey standing to the left of Matilda.

 

[KaseySnow]

So cute!

Not gonna lie, now I really wanna watch the movie Matilda. Anyone down for a Matilda watch party? I've used a free app called Kast to watch movies with people remotely before and it seemed to work pretty well.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

It has been over 6 months since I updated this thread. (Time truly does fly.) Matilda has been doing great, and fully regained her ability to stand upright, hobble/walk around, & interact with her flock. Unfortunately her regained mobility has resulted in a medical issue. After a few photo updates from the past several months, I will get to the point of today's post, because I'm seeking advice and ideas.

As Matilda's leg muscles became stronger and more able to support her weight, she was no longer bullied. In fact she sometimes pecks at other hens if she feels they are invading her space, & the invaders promptly retreat. But notice her stance and posture. She often rocks back on her shanks for stability, balance and support.
September 5, 2021

In October, Matilda went through a fairly hard molt. Literally dropped a bucket full of feathers in two days, including her entire tail. I was very concerned a hard molt might be too stressful for her body to endure. Luckily the extreme feather loss only lasted those two days before loss slowed way down. While Matilda was molting, when I would go to retrieve her each eve to bring her inside, she began to run away from me. I understood it was because her pin feathers were very uncomfortable, & tried to be as gentle as possible when I picked her up and carried her. While it was annoying to have to chase her down each night, I was at the same time chuckling at her success in evading me. Her doing so signified great progress!

December 4, 2021
By now Matilda was spending approximately 80% of her days outside and standing upright. When she needs to rest she has several private places she will walk/hobble over to and lay down for a while.

Here is what was/is going on under the wraps.
For past reference and current comparison,
Photo of left stump with fleshy/bony protrusion taken August 12, 2021

Photo of left stump December 19, 2021.

Right stump photo taken June 24, 2021. Notice position of receding spur.

January 4, 2022. Shank being wrapped for months has led to spur remnant pressing against bottom of right foot pad. (Top of right foot detached May 2021, but bottom of foot pad remained intact.) I have been concerned spur could regrow and press into foot pad. There is currently no space in between. I've tried to gently pull/wiggle spur away, but spur is rigid and tight up against pad.

And now to my current concern, and why i am seeking advice. All these past months ive doctored and wrapped Matilda's stumps while standing.upright, and holding her in one arm while tending to each stump with my other hand. Because of this I could only see her stumps from above. For that reason I neglected to notice This on the bottom of her left stump. Bumble shank? Photo from December 19, 2021, when I first noticed the scab. Also notice how her shank has flattened due to that is where she bears her weight. Her lost left foot was at the end of the bony tip.

January 2, 2022. The scab is still there, and in addition more "sores" have appeared.

At this point i decided to wrap Matilda in a towel burrito and lay her on her side to have a better look at the bottom of her shank. I had never done this even once since Matilda is such a calm and easy patient. She protested briefly and then relaxed. She is still a very good girl.

And i discovered matching "bumbleshanks".
On bottom of right shank there was also a scab. The "wavy extension" at end of right shank is the bottom of her intact foot pad, and what she should be walking on. But because her left stump is shorter, she has learned to bear her weight equally on both stumps, and so the scabs on each shank match up.

I didn't know if "bumble shank" was even possible, but finally decided to give both stumps an epsom salt soak and remove the scabs
January 10, 2022

Removed a plug from under the scab of left shank. Yep. Bumbleshank can be a thing.

The issue on the right shank was minor; there was no plug under the shallow scab. Photo taken January 16, 2022 shows healing well underway, & today it looks even better.

But now what? Maybe more and better padding will solve the problem?
Here is how I have to date padded and wrapped her stumps:
First i cover the stump with padded gauze. I apply the pad before securing with 3 strips of vet wrap on each shank.
Somehow staph made contact with her shanks and infection took hold.

I watched a youtube video today where a vet wrapped a cut-off pool noodle to a hen's foot to protect bumblefoot while it healed. Its more difficult to secure Any type of padding when a hen has no toes, but a pool noodle certainly provides a lot more cushion and maybe will work. Does anyone have other/better ideas?

 

[Weeg]

Hmm, that is an issue. I want to first say great job documenting this process! Its been a while since I've posted on this thread, but you've done a great job!
I'm not entirely sure what you want to do for her stumps. Maybe more padding? You need something with shock absorption. Do you think that a thick maxi pad might do the trick? Maybe it will be thick enough with enough padding to give her more relief?
Other than that I'm not sure. Maybe some kind of craft foam that will press in and "re-inflate" when she moves, that could be reused as well. Maybe some shock absorption with that?