Mud ball caused foot injury??

[Melgug]

I just noticed a piece of mud or poop on my 5 week old chickens toe. I soaked it in warm water and got it to come off. However, it totally left an indent and his foot is misshapen! It looks like his toe nail could easily be pulled off it is like dangling on from the indent. Is he ok? What can I do to help?? Also, how do I keep this wound clean? Thank you!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Pictures? Toenail injuries are common. Sometimes the toenail has to be snipped off if it is just hanging by a thread of tissue. Mudballs from poop and dirt can become like concrete on toes. For now you may want to separate in a dog crate on clean towels, and apply some Betadine, chlorhexidene, or other antiseptic while it heals. Plain antibiotic ointment is helpful too. Make sure that you have dry bedding or sand in your coop and run to prevent the mud balls from forming.

 

[Melgug]

Pictures? Toenail injuries are common. Sometimes the toenail has to be snipped off if it is just hanging by a thread of tissue. Mudballs from poop and dirt can become like concrete on toes. For now you may want to separate in a dog crate on clean towels, and apply some Betadine, chlorhexidene, or other antiseptic while it heals. Plain antibiotic ointment is helpful too. Make sure that you have dry bedding or sand in your coop and run to prevent the mud balls from forming.

 

[Melgug]

Pictures? Toenail injuries are common. Sometimes the toenail has to be snipped off if it is just hanging by a thread of tissue. Mudballs from poop and dirt can become like concrete on toes. For now you may want to separate in a dog crate on clean towels, and apply some Betadine, chlorhexidene, or other antiseptic while it heals. Plain antibiotic ointment is helpful too. Make sure that you have dry bedding or sand in your coop and run to prevent the mud balls from forming.

Just posted pictures. I have pine shavings in their brooder. I’m going to keep a close eye on him and I guess I’ll get some of the medicine you posted to help with healing.

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like something, such as a string or a hair, got wrapped around her toe for a time and cut off growth and possibly circulation. Or the med ball acted like a partial tourniquet. It might fall off, but I would just watch it.

 

[Melgug]

That looks like something, such as a string or a hair, got wrapped around her toe for a time and cut off growth and possibly circulation. Or the med ball acted like a partial tourniquet. It might fall off, but I would just watch it.

Yeah the mud ball acted like a tourniquet and really affected the growth. I’m so concerned and don’t know how I could’ve missed this. Will she need medical attention?

 

[Eggcessive]

It probably won’t matter or be that serious later on. Chickens get frostbite on toe tips and can lose that tip and nail. They do fine after the tip comes off. I have had a chicken who got a nail caught in fencing, and tore off the nail. She did fine afterward. You could watch and see how it gets, or even consider cutting it off, but it would bleed less probably if it comes off itself. Does it seem to hurt? So let us know how she gets along.

 

[Melgug]

It probably won’t matter or be that serious later on. Chickens get frostbite on toe tips and can lose that tip and nail. They do fine after the tip comes off. I have had a chicken who got a nail caught in fencing, and tore off the nail. She did fine afterward. You could watch and see how it gets, or even consider cutting it off, but it would bleed less probably if it comes off itself. Does it seem to hurt? So let us know how she gets along.

Thank you for your time and insight. It doesn’t seem to bother or hurt her, but she does love when I hold her and has been looking for me when I come to the brooder. I’ll keep a close eye and pray she is ok. My poor baby! I can’t believe that happened. I feel like a bad chicken mom
Do you think I need to apply ointment or anything to it? There is a tender spot on the bottom.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

Thank you for your time and insight. It doesn’t seem to bother or hurt her, but she does love when I hold her and has been looking for me when I come to the brooder. I’ll keep a close eye and pray she is ok. My poor baby! I can’t believe that happened. I feel like a bad chicken mom
Do you think I need to apply ointment or anything to it? There is a tender spot on the bottom.

What did you end up doing to help heal the chicken? My 6 week old black copper maran had the same problem. I soaked off the mud tourniquet and now it’s red and sore with some serious growth issues on that toe. Pics below! I tried some cream but she wouldn’t let me put a bandage on so she’s now just running around again TY!

 

[Eggcessive]

What did you end up doing to help heal the chicken? My 6 week old black copper maran had the same problem. I soaked off the mud tourniquet and now it’s red and sore with some serious growth issues on that toe. Pics below! I tried some cream but she wouldn’t let me put a bandage on so she’s now just running around again TY!

The OP has not been on here for 6 months, so hard to know if they will respond. I would try soaking the feet in warm Epsom salts water, or Betadine or Hibiclens and water for 10 minutes a day. Then put some Betadine or antibiotic ointment on the toe. Make sure the other chicks do not peck at it. It could heal okay or it might come off, but it will get around fine nonetheless. When chickens get frostbite or a crushed toe, the toe turns black and necrotic and self-amputates in a few weeks. As long as it looks pink, it may be saved.