Moving forward after severe Bumblefoot- advice on ground sanitiser etc please?

[Lazygaze]

My hen has just had extreme Bumblefoot surgery (at vets) on both her feet and after a 6 wk rocky recovery with ups and downs, seems to be making good progress now. I’d love advice on limiting risk going forward. I have never wanted to use ground sanitizer as I have heard you cannot then compost your wood chip? Also heard sand is better as no tiny splinters, and dropping coop to ground level .. she is naturally a big girl so lands heavy (I’ve tried putting her on a diet but she is just a big bird!).
Is dropping coop to ground ok- will it not increase likelyhood of rats? Does ground sanitiser kill the bacteria responsible Bumblefoot? And please, any other tips or tricks to limit the chance of her relapsing? thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

You cannot disinfect the ground. Dirt is dirt, full of microbes and organic matter. The reason chicken get bumblefoot is when they experience a small cut or opening that gets infected. Some birds get foot pad dermatitis from something in the feed combined with soiled bedding, that can burn the feet. Are other birds affected or just her? I would make sure the areas where she comes off the roost are padded with bedding, and always are clean and dry. Check your roosts for rough areas since rough or splintery roosts can be a cause. Some pad their roosts for that reason. Consider lowering the roost or the coop closer to the ground. I had some 4 1/2 foot roosts, and those just are too high for heavy breeds of birds. Sand is fine to use, and drains well. Some use deep litter method, but don’t keep it clean and tired. I prefer changing the bedding when it smells and looks soiled. Your hen might benefit from some booties to protect her feet as they heal.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a link for bird booties, and they also sell them on Amazon:
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/products/birdy-bootie-hand-made-in-the-usa

 

[Lazygaze]

You cannot disinfect the ground. Dirt is dirt, full of microbes and organic matter. The reason chicken get bumblefoot is when they experience a small cut or opening that gets infected. Some birds get foot pad dermatitis from something in the feed combined with soiled bedding, that can burn the feet. Are other birds affected or just her? I would make sure the areas where she comes off the roost are padded with bedding, and always are clean and dry. Check your roosts for rough areas since rough or splintery roosts can be a cause. Some pad their roosts for that reason. Consider lowering the roost or the coop closer to the ground. I had some 4 1/2 foot roosts, and those just are too high for heavy breeds of birds. Sand is fine to use, and drains well. Some use deep litter method, but don’t keep it clean and tired. I prefer changing the bedding when it smells and looks soiled. Your hen might benefit from some booties to protect her feet as they heal.

This is all brilliant advice and exactly what I was hoping for, thank you! I agree totally about not being able to disinfect the ground, I can’t believe I am even asking to be honest, as I use my substrate in my allotment and I have heard that sanitized ground is useless as it kills all the goodness, I’m just sooo desperate that she doesn’t have a relapse. I will make sure her route out from her night time perch is soft and easy.
It is just her, I have 3 others and they’re all much lighter and have healthy feet. She had it for SO long, we tried all the home remedies, she had the type that’s stringy and no plug to squeeze out, much harder to deal with.. eventually vet said best would be to cut them open and when they did, it had reached her joint, so I’m hoping we caught it in time and she doesn’t relapse. She’s my (whispers) favourite… so I want to do all I can to help her x

 

[Lazygaze]

Here is a link for bird booties, and they also sell them on Amazon:
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/products/birdy-bootie-hand-made-in-the-usa

Ooh yes, I’ve seen these! Defo want to find something like this- I’m in the UK and not sure I can get them sent to me anyone know the makers?!

 

[Eggcessive]

Try the Amazon ones which are the same.
https://www.amazon.com/Birdy-Bootie-Superior-Cushioning-Protective/dp/B01B8Y3EKY
Some people actually make some of their own with neoprene material. But a gauze pad or foam with cohesive wrap or vet wrap would work.