What is this and what should we do?

[dridgecluck]

I have a guess about what this is, but would appreciate confirmation. Her foot is swollen between the toes, and she's walking gingerly. Thanks!

 

[seminolewind]

She appears to have Bumblefoot. It's a staph infection that is either pus or pus that's formed a ball. There are a few threads on here about doing the surgery to remove it. It's very common.

Like this one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/236649/bumblefoot-surgery-with-pics-and-how-to/0_50

 

[Eggcessive]

It appears to be bumblefoot. She may need the surgery since it is pretty inflamed and swollen between the toes. I would do a couple of days of warm epsom salt soaks until you can gather help and siupplies for the surgery. When I have operated on the foot pad for this, the foot must be squeezed from many angles firmly to get all of the pus and core out. Here are a few links to help you, and some have videos:
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/resource000779_rep800.pdf
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/07/bumblefoot-causes-treatment-warning.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/how-to-treat-bumblefoot-in-chickens.aspx

 

[dridgecluck]

Thanks for your suggestions.

We tried surgery today. I didn't get much pus, even though I squeezed from lots of different angles. I cut the cap off with a scalpel and dug around, but I was afraid to go too deep. I packed it with neosporin, wrapped her foot in vetrap and set her free. She didn't seem much worse for wear. We'll keep checking on her--hopefully the removal of the plug allows the pressure to drain.

 

[seminolewind]

Sometimes soaking the foot and going in a 2nd time brings the bumble right to the hole and it pops out.