Topic of the Week - Bumblefoot - Prevention and Treatment

[Sylvester017]

I have documented a particularly bad case of bumblefoot from an EE this year. I was thinking about creating an article about it. I think I will, because it could be helpful to others here. The one case was puzzling, because there was not a clear core, or scab. I believe the cause was a small pine needle that had punctured her foot.

A puncture sounds like a good diagnosis, and/or maybe a piece of a pine needle broke off inside the foot pad sort of like a small splinter? I'm a worry wort and overthink diagnosis but IMO a good thing to overthink. For illness/injuries that don't show improvement within 24 hours, I go to the vet as a precaution because usually by the time a bird shows stress she's been hiding the condition for a while before we as humans notice it. A 100-lb dog or 150-lb human can suffer a few days without terrible consequences but a little 5 or 6-lb chicken will succumb quickly and needs immediate attention so I never go more than 24 hours if one of my birds doesn't show improvement after treatment.

 

[Abriana]

That's wonderful if the one cleared up by itself. The best thing to do with GLW would be to post some pictures here or on another thread so others can chime in. A picture speaks a thousand words! Sometimes, if it is a large dark scab, all that is needed is a soak and pulling the "plug" or scab off, treating it with antibiotics, and a bandage. Again, a picture would really help.

I wasn't sure I could do surgery either, but I was able to do it a few time unassisted. It's not as bad as you think, and though uncomfortable, it ultimately will provide relief.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll get some pictures in the morning-it’s dark now!
Yes that’s what I’ve been thinking. I just don’t want to hurt her! I worry too much. I’ll get some pics in the morning!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

A puncture sounds like a good diagnosis, and/or maybe a piece of a pine needle broke off inside the foot pad sort of like a small splinter? I'm a worry wort and overthink diagnosis but IMO a good thing to overthink. For illness/injuries that don't show improvement within 24 hours, I go to the vet as a precaution because usually by the time a bird shows stress she's been hiding the condition for a while before we as humans notice it. A 100-lb dog or 150-lb human can suffer a few days without terrible consequences but a little 5 or 6-lb chicken will succumb quickly and needs immediate attention so I never go more than 24 hours if one of my birds doesn't show improvement after treatment.

Here is a few pictures of Banjo’s bubmblefoot struggle. The first picture is case of bumble foot without a “core”. You can see that the foot pad is very swollen and stretched. It also had a funky odor, never a good sign. The next photo is the piece of pine needle that I was able to remove from her foot that I believe was the cause of the problem. In the last picture, you can see her swollen foot as it is soaking. Pardon the dirty water, someone wasn’t wearing a diaper!

These pictures were from mid October, and her foot is still healing. A lot of the swelling was pus buildup, that hardened eventually and turned into a plug that was removed. Again, I am going to try to make an article detailing her bumblefoot journey.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I have two hens I have a bit of concern about. One has very mild Bumblefoot on one foot (the other one cleared up completely by itself. Anyone had this happen?) and a GLW hen with some on both feet. The scabs are big and thick but no lameness and no apparent pain. I recently noticed it. What can I do? Does anyone have experience with surgery? I’m worried she’ll be in pain if I do surgery (yes I baby them ). Anyone have non surgery cures?

Soak the foot in warm water and gently pull the scab off, then bandage. No blood or anything.

 

[Peaky]

View attachment 1229369
Pic by @BirdIsTheWord
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Bumblefoot is an infection caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, which enters the chicken's system through a cut, scratch, injury or a chafed and irritated area on its foot. The infection creates an abscess full of pus, which is most often treated by minor surgery. This week I would like to hear about you all's experiences and treatments of bumblefoot.

- How can/do you prevent it?
- What do you do to treat/cure it?



For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

I have had a hen with BF for several months. The treatment that I found on the web didn't seem to help it. I finally went to vet who gave me antibiotics and I put a "sandal"on her feet so that the area affected didn't have weight on it I t has inproved a lot but I still see swelling. I'm perplexed on what to do now. ???

 

[featherhead007]

When I first read about it on BYC I was glad I cleaned the run of all Palo Verde debri and thorns on trunk. It's a daily chore cleaning all the small sticks and stems especially when we gave high winds.

Thee thornes on these trees are huge and have an irritant that aggravates the pain. Smaller thorns hurt just as much. I don't want my girls stepping on them and have bumble foot develope.

View attachment 1229606 View attachment 1229607

Ouch that would hurt.. Poor Lil gals

 

[featherhead007]

My coop is fort knox, I don't Free range the hens anymore, their teen months are over, now down to business.
Eggs and more chicks

 

[casportpony]

Thought this video was interesting:

Warning, it is a surgery video.

 

[featherhead007]

I use deep floor hay and pine shaving in my coop. Just added some more 10 minutes ago. Soft floor, clean of course, keeps the hens feet protected, and gives them a surface to land on from their 8 ft high perching loft. Think I should pad the boards. Too? Kidding

 

[featherhead007]

I use deep floor hay and pine shaving in my coop. Just added some more 10 minutes ago. Soft floor, clean of course, keeps the hens feet protected, and gives them a surface to land on from their 8 ft high perching loft. Think I should pad the boards. Too? Kidding