Swollen feet on cockerel.

[asphaltworld]

We have a 1 year old Old English Game Cockerel who's feet and lower legs have been slowly swelling up over the last 6 months. Initially we thought nothing of it but they are now bulbous and he is getting red speckles up the back of his legs. He is fit and well in all other respects, active and appears to show no signs of discomfort.

It does not appear to be bumblefoot as we have seen this before on another bird and this is seems different. I guess it could be thought!




Many thanks.

 

[TwoCrows]

You could possibly dealing with gout. Are these swellings really hard and moveable within the skin? And which foot is involved?

 

[asphaltworld]

Hi. Both feet and lower legs are equally swollen looking. They are not really hard to the touch but it's also not very squishy. Kind of in between if that makes sense.

The thing is, he appears very well indeed, happy to walk around our garden with the other chickens, he sits on a variety of perches in the garden from tops of fences, tables and the variety of perches in the shed we have as a hen house.

 

[TwoCrows]

I would still think gout. I have heard that cherries fed to chickens can help disolve the deposits, if this is what he has. There are not too many issues that make legs and feet swell, other than bumblefoot, MS, some injury, arthritis, or some sort of infection. However all of these are going to lead to heat in the tissues and lameness.

 

[dawg53]

I agree with Twocrowsranch, it could possibly be gout. Here's a link to gout. Scroll down to the bottom for the various causes: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/232/gout.

 

[Vickir73]

posted reply in wrong place. sorry