Things you wish you knew starting out?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Strange that I have never seen a single case of bumblefoot here as it seems common. I currently have around 97 chickens, and have been keeping them here for the past 20 years without incident. I keep heavier breeds too. I actually have quite a few different breeds as I like variety. My birds are completely free range and live in a 40x40 shed, so lots of room for everyone to spread out.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Strange that I have never seen a single case of bumblefoot here as it seems common. I currently have around 97 chickens, and have been keeping them here for the past 20 years without incident. I keep heavier breeds too. I actually have quite a few different breeds as I like variety. My birds are completely free range and live in a 40x40 shed, so lots of room for everyone to spread out.

Wow I thought my poop scooping duties were bad, just got back in from cleaning up the coop. I only have the 8 right now. They absolutely will not free range without Adult supervision. We are experiencing an explosion of caterpillars that they love. I also just got back from my first crop filling run on those with my flock for the evening. I just hate it though that I can't get these flighty fowl to express a bit more confidence.

 

[aart]

k so I'll be sure to give them a Sunday foot check on a weekly basis as I'm sure that will catch that little corn on the bottom of the foot in timely fashion.

I just slaughtered some old hens, one had 'corns' on both feet but no swelling/infection.
If a cut on foot gets infected(bumblefoot) a scalpel is not the only 'cure'.
Sometimes the infection resolves on it's own,
and if it doesn't there are less invasive means to treat.
Just FYI.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Just wanted to share the back half inside their run. I'm thinking they have enough overhead cover and now after 2 inches of rain 4 foot tall grass to hide under that I don't need to stress covering their run. I think the run is 50x150' if anyone was curious and there aren't any real gaps in the Mesquite tree cover.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I just slaughtered some old hens, one had 'corns' on both feet but no swelling/infection.
If a cut on foot gets infected(bumblefoot) a scalpel is not the only 'cure'.
Sometimes the infection resolves on it's own,
and if it doesn't there are less invasive means to treat.
Just FYI.

Yeah I was thinking of salicitic acid or common wart remover might be an option to try first before doing that simple surgery then dressing the wound.

 

[Parront]

Yeah I was thinking of salicitic acid or common wart remover might be an option to try first before doing that simple surgery then dressing the wound.

I believe that some folks yards might be more prone to the infection than others. I had chickens over 10 years in hot dry California, never even heard of bumble foot. Good perches and dry conditions might be all you need.

 

[staceyj]

Yeah I was thinking of salicitic acid or common wart remover might be an option to try first before doing that simple surgery then dressing the wound.

I am super curious if anyone has ever tried the " wart freeze off" kits available at the drug store. Years ago when they first came out our pediatrician suggested trying it on a plantar wart on a GROSS teenager's foot, lol, and it worked in only a few treatments!

 

[Parront]

I am super curious if anyone has ever tried the " wart freeze off" kits available at the drug store. Years ago when they first came out our pediatrician suggested trying it on a plantar wart on a GROSS teenager's foot, lol, and it worked in only a few treatments!

NO, I do try to stay away from warts!

 

[staceyj]

NO, I do try to stay away from warts!

No I mean for bumblefoot!
I'm wondering if the extreme but fast cold temperature would kill the infection.

 

[Parront]

No I mean for bumblefoot!
I'm wondering if the extreme but fast cold temperature would kill the infection.

Could work. I also try to stay away form bumblefoot. I have exactly zero experience with said infection, and glad of it!