WHAT BIT MY CHICKEN?!?!

[Farm life101]

Since you live in Florida, it could be ant bites or some other insect. It also could be bumblefoot in case you see any scabs on the foot or toe pads. Sometimes bumblefoot will present with red swollen spots on top of the foot between toes. I would look for other other such lesions on other chickens, and look around for ants or other bugs. Permethrin spray is a good insectivcide safe for chickens, but don’t use if you keep bees.

We do have ants but they usually stay away from them. If it is an ant bite then is there anything I have to Do for her

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

If, is an ant bite...Fire Ants, are the ones you should be concerned about. Fire ants inject a venom that is very painful, and can cause infection to develop.

Treatment would be to wash the bite area, then, apply some ice to the site to relieve pain.
If the hen is limping, and it is evident that infection is starting, treat similar to bumble foot, apply Neosporin ointment (without pain reliever), place a small piece of gauze over the bite, wrap with self stick gauze or vet wrap. Check every couple days or more, if you like. It should heal up fine, as long as she is eating and drinking, and not in shock from the venom.

Fire ants can kill a chicken. It all depends on how many ants attack, the size of the chicken and the general health of the chicken.

Fire ants inflict a severely painful bite, I know I was attacked about 10 years ago. I'll never forget it! I didn't even know we had fire ants here in California, but, they are spreading everywhere.

God Bless

 

[Farm life101]

If, is an ant bite...Fire Ants, are the ones you should be concerned about. Fire ants inject a venom that is very painful, and can cause infection to develop.

Treatment would be to wash the bite area, then, apply some ice to the site to relieve pain.
If the hen is limping, and it is evident that infection is starting, treat similar to bumble foot, apply Neosporin ointment (without pain reliever), place a small piece of gauze over the bite, wrap with self stick gauze or vet wrap. Check every couple days or more, if you like. It should heal up fine, as long as she is eating and drinking, and not in shock from the venom.

Fire ants can kill a chicken. It all depends on how many ants attack, the size of the chicken and the general health of the chicken.

Fire ants inflict a severely painful bite, I know I was attacked about 10 years ago. I'll never forget it! I didn't even know we had fire ants here in California, but, they are spreading everywhere.

God Bless

I know we have fire ants but she isn’t limping should I try doing treatment for fire ants?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Correct treatment depends on what the bottoms of her feet look like.

Has bumble foot been ruled out? There are other conditions that cause swelling in the legs, foot pads and toes...

But, if you want to treat for fire ants, it won't hurt her. Go ahead and start there, you should notice some improvement, in at least 24 hours.

These are my thoughts, I hope this is helpful.

God Bless

 

[andreanar]

My first thought was the beginning of bumblefoot. Waiting on photos of bottom of feet.

 

[theoldchick]

Could be a very early case of bumble foot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bumblefoot-in-your-flock.65979/

This is the reason why we need a photo of the bottom of the foot. Though there are cases where you may not find the lesion normally seen. Some folks cut out the lesion which, in some cases, may cause even more problems. Some folks simply soak the foot, dry it, then bandage it after applying a healing ointment. Everybody had their own favorite ointment to use. Plain triple antibiotic works great. Some people like to use a drawing salve that will help 'pull' the infection out. The bandage must be applied so that it will stay on but not restrict blood supply and be changed on a daily basis.

When you see bumble foot in your chickens you must evaluate the area they live in. Roosts must be cleaned and of appropriate size. 2 x 4 with flat side up works great. The ground should be free of feces, and birds housed on wire will have to be moved to better housing. If you have birds living in tiny coops and walking in their own feces you will see issues with the feet. You want your birds to roost in an area that is dry and with good ventilation.

Also evaluate your birds for mites. If you have a severe infestation (some species attack at night) you may see lesions on your birds feet-but all birds will have lesions. In this case your birds and the area they live in will have to be treated with an approved miticide.

Just a few things to think of.


This is Lying Larry wearing his home made vet-wrap boot. He lost a toe due to frost bite and needed extra help to heal. In his case I used Corona ointment under his gauze and vet-wrap bandage.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Could be a very early case of bumble foot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bumblefoot-in-your-flock.65979/

This is the reason why we need a photo of the bottom of the foot. Though there are cases where you may not find the lesion normally seen. Some folks cut out the lesion which, in some cases, may cause even more problems. Some folks simply soak the foot, dry it, then bandage it after applying a healing ointment. Everybody had their own favorite ointment to use. Plain triple antibiotic works great. Some people like to use a drawing salve that will help 'pull' the infection out. The bandage must be applied so that it will stay on but not restrict blood supply and be changed on a daily basis.

When you see bumble foot in your chickens you must evaluate the area they live in. Roosts must be cleaned and of appropriate size. 2 x 4 with flat side up works great. The ground should be free of feces, and birds housed on wire will have to be moved to better housing. If you have birds living in tiny coops and walking in their own feces you will see issues with the feet. You want your birds to roost in an area that is dry and with good ventilation.

Also evaluate your birds for mites. If you have a severe infestation (some species attack at night) you may see lesions on your birds feet-but all birds will have lesions. In this case your birds and the area they live in will have to be treated with an approved miticide.

Just a few things to think of.


This is Lying Larry wearing his home made vet-wrap boot. He lost a toe due to frost bite and needed extra help to heal. In his case I used Corona ointment under his gauze and vet-wrap bandage.
View attachment 1296046

What handsome roosters!