Silkies with Bumblefoot

[chickenaskquestion]

Hi @chickenaskquestion Welcome To BYC!
I believe you may be on the wrong thread? Are you trying to help someone with hatching?
An incubator is used to hatch eggs. Once the chicks have hatched you remove the chicks from the incubator and place them in a brooder.
The OP of this thread has an adult chicken - she would not fit in an incubator and it would certainly be too warm for her too.

@annierose As for treating Bumblefoot there are several methods you can use.
Soaking the foot and removing the scab, pressing out the kernel is one way. Some people cut out the scab to remove the kernel.
Bumblefoot is usually a staph infection that has entered the foot through a cut/scratch or weak point of the foot.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/03/bumblefoot.html

Unless your chickens are very ill from Bumblefoot, then I would not separate them or even cage them. Treat the feet and put them back with the flock.

I was saying if they get weak and cant move then putting them in the incubator. Not now.

 

[annierose]

Hi @chickenaskquestion Welcome To BYC!
I believe you may be on the wrong thread? Are you trying to help someone with hatching?
An incubator is used to hatch eggs. Once the chicks have hatched you remove the chicks from the incubator and place them in a brooder.
The OP of this thread has an adult chicken - she would not fit in an incubator and it would certainly be too warm for her too.

@annierose As for treating Bumblefoot there are several methods you can use.
Soaking the foot and removing the scab, pressing out the kernel is one way. Some people cut out the scab to remove the kernel.
Bumblefoot is usually a staph infection that has entered the foot through a cut/scratch or weak point of the foot.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning/
https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2012/03/bumblefoot.html

Unless your chickens are very ill from Bumblefoot, then I would not separate them or even cage them. Treat the feet and put them back with the flock.

Thank you!

 

[annierose]

UPDATE:
the bumble foot on my grey silkie has become more swollen, last night I saw hints of a limp. Today we have the occasional more pronounced limp, definitely more swollen and looks like there has been some bleeding- stains on the foot.

Looks like it's time to remove it!

I've read 30 minutes in epsom salt warm/hot water
pull the plug out and look for any dead tissue
then hydrogen peroxide https://www.amcal.com.au/hydrogen-p...F_i3jPgD_3BXFvCMzQbPYHjx2UQpW31hoCfHMQAvD_BwE

Use Salvon ? https://www.superdrug.com/Health/First-Aid/Antiseptic-Creams-&-Gels/Salvon-Cream-100g/p/609065

then vet wrap it

Check it in 24 hours


What do you think?

 

[annierose]

Update;
I attempted the surgery and it was not successful, i couldn't find anything i felt that she was too distressed, - panting and moving.
i did wrap/cover with a towel and it helped but when it obviously hurt her she moved.
I found nothing and maybe i didn't go deep enough.
I sprayed betadine onto a gauze and wrapped her foot - the best i could as she wanted out. and put her back out.
She's still panting but thats starting to slow, she walking with some limp, drinking and eating

If i take her to the emergency vets its $180 (AUD) so i have to wait until monday.
So upset that i couldn't help her and may haave made it worse.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would soak the foot. Dry it well. Apply the Salvon, then wrap. Next day, soak, then press on the scab and see if that is loose and the kernel will come out. If not, then apply the Salvon and wrap again, try the next day.

How are you trying to hold her for treatment? It can be stressful on some of them. Swaddling lightly in a towel and laying her down may help. I have a rooster that I work on his feet and I just hold him in my arm like a football with his head tucked under my arm most of the time when I do his feet, but he's used to a lot of handling.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

Before any surgery or vet visit just make sure there is no hard sharp surface for them to step on in the aviary mesh, gravel, rocks, etc. Then apply vaseline to their feet, this should help irritation and swelling and only if this doesn't work then you can try a more invasive method with a vet.

 

[Mike bird nerd]

Before any surgery or vet visit just make sure there is no hard sharp surface for them to step on in the aviary mesh, gravel, rocks, etc. Then apply vaseline to their feet, this should help irritation and swelling and only if this doesn't work then you can try a more invasive method with a vet.

I know you already attempted surgery but this is for others to learn from your experience

 

[annierose]

I would soak the foot. Dry it well. Apply the Salvon, then wrap. Next day, soak, then press on the scab and see if that is loose and the kernel will come out. If not, then apply the Salvon and wrap again, try the next day.

How are you trying to hold her for treatment? It can be stressful on some of them. Swaddling lightly in a towel and laying her down may help. I have a rooster that I work on his feet and I just hold him in my arm like a football with his head tucked under my arm most of the time when I do his feet, but he's used to a lot of handling.

Alright that i can do, is there a difference to using betadine?

I've got the veterciyn chicken wound spray arriving on wednesday

I'm please to see she is up and about, scratching the group with her bandage on, I'll reapply it for the night. I've book in for the Vets on Mondays - $110
Hopefully they can just remove it and i'll be on my way !



I used a standard shower towel, wrapped it so her feet were out and her head was cover and then placed her on her side. I did do this surgery by myself so i struggled with lighting and helping the chicken.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Betadine is good for cleaning the wound.

 

[annierose]

UPDATE: The two silkies were taken to the vets today- avian/poultry specialist... along with other unusual pets.

They said out of the 4 grading system for bumble feet, the girls were around 1-2. Too early for surgery. They've provided anti- inflammatory + antibiotics:

Amoxyclav/Noroclav (Amoxicillin/Clav Acid) 250mg Tablets
Meloxicam 12mg/ml Solution

To be given twice a day, and to keep bandaging their feet with the duoderm GFC, savlon + bandage. Change the bandage once a day or when it's soiled.

They've recommended I change my perches. I've removed them now, searching for replacement. As I live in Victoria, Australia we're in stage 4 restriction so I can get nothing quickly. Google is making me confused - so many different answers. Looks forward to hearing your advice