Question 2: Bumblefoot ?- doesn't quite match other pictures

[pbjmaker]

I posted about this particular roo's issue with irratated skin, but he also has something going on with his footsies. It might be related to the skin issue but might be something else so I am posting a seperate question.

He is a 7 month old Black Copper Marans, eats mixed flock feed, free ranges on about 1/8 acre with 27 other chickens. He doesn't roost (we have tried- but he is a big clutz) he does sleep on the floor with the broody hens. The bedding is ground corn cobs (pellet size)

Here are pictures of his feet:

This one shows better how they are irratated and on one toe the skin seems to be seperating (ETA: I just realized how blurry it is)

I did soak his feet in epsom salt mixture for about 15 minutes today. Although they are much cleaner there doesn't seem to be any plug anywhere to remove. He actually fell asleep in my lap and he HATES me. I know he is not feeling well.

 

[robin416]

This might be scaley leg mites. But then it might not be, its in such an odd spot. It would not hurt to go ahead and soak his feet in some mineral oil to see what happens. I imagine he's in some pain and that's the reason for not roosting.

 

[pbjmaker]

He has never roosted. He is a huge clutz and falls off the roost when we put him on it.

 

[robin416]

I need to see if I can find a pic of gout. That would almost fit better. Does he eat layer feed?

 

[pbjmaker]

I believe the feed they are eating now is for mixed flocks. There is some layer feed mixed in. I was reading about gout and some of the symptoms fit better than bumblefoot, but not all. I will keep researching.

 

[speckledhen]

Doesn't really look like bumblefoot to me, Stephanie. Robin may be onto something, but I just don't know for sure.

 

[pbjmaker]

Thanks Speckledhen. I will try soaking his feet in mineral oil - it can't hurt. I put him in a smaller coop by himself tonight and then had to add his two favorite hens he sleeps with because he was so stressed. I am thinking the inflamed skin has something to do with the bedding right now. Both these hens have the same redness but in way lesser amounts. They were both broody and he slept next to them every night to protect them.

 

[robin416]

Does he walk with his feet flat on the ground? Can he grab your finger with his feet?

 

[pbjmaker]

He has kind of galloped and skipped since he was a baby. He does walk with his feet in a slightly abnormal position - maybe "pigeon-toed" a little. You can see in the pictures how his toes turn in toward each other a little. Yes he can grasp my fingers with his toes and he tries a mean ninja kick when he is on one of his covert missions to flog me. ( An almost daily occurance)

I read several articles on gout. Although his skin is "splitting", it isn't so much swollen as irratated. It reminds me of cauliflower.

Could it be that because of the position of his toes they are forming callouses since he doesn't walk on the pads quite proper?

I know in the gymnastics world, serious gymnasts often rip their palms then regrow callouses over them, then they rip again.

 

[Judy]

With this info on how he walks, callouses make a lot of sense. Baseball pitchers have the same situation on certain fingers on the throwing hand. He also might be more prone to plain old arthritis due to his gait; I have certainly seen this in people.