Yup, we have Bumblefoot!!

[ValerieLovesChickens]

This is NOT a good day here. We have Bumblefoot, on multiple chickens. Here is what we have done so far (2 chooks down, many more to go):

5 minute soak in warm water with antibacterial soap. Gently rubbed away all debris with a soft tshirt rag.

15 minute soak in warm water with Epsom salt. 1 TBSP per 1/2 gallon of water.

Gently dabbed dry. Applied PRIVID drawing salve liberally. Applied a gauze pad, and used vet wrap to hold in place.

Will begin removing the bumbles in 24 hours after another soak first tomorrow.

Anything I'm missing?? Any advice or suggestions??

Also am adding Rooster Booster to their water.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

I don't have expeience with bumblefoot but wish you the best of luck!

 

[ackie]

If it's that many, I guess the next step would be finding out what's pokey in the run or coop.

 

[LaFleche]

What kind of bedding do you use in the coop?
What kind of roost do they sleep on?
At what height is the roosting bar?
Do they have a chicken ladder or do they have to jump from the roost?

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

What kind of bedding do you use in the coop?
What kind of roost do they sleep on?
At what height is the roosting bar?
Do they have a chicken ladder or do they have to jump from the roost?

We had been using large pine shavings, money got tight and we switched to coastal hay that we feed our horses. It was put in fresh from the field, not even a month ago.
10 inch high roost bar, 1x4 sanded wood lumber.
They have a ladder up into the coop. No ladder for the roost bar as it is so low to the ground.

 

[LaFleche]

1x4 sanded wood lumber.

The flat side (4) up for them to sit on?

And how thick is the layer of bedding?

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

We do have very rocky soil, we call it black gumbo here. Its thick when wet and sucks your boots right off, then dries hard. It has all kinds of sandstone in it. Hubby turns the soil over in the run bi-weekly to keep it as soft as possible. We also have made it so it no longer gets wet.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

The flat side (4) up for them to sit on?

And how thick is the layer of bedding?

Yes the flat side is up to sit on.

The bedding was 2 inches thick, but they have played in it so much, we plan to pull and replace it this evening.

 

[LaFleche]

We do have very rocky soil, we call it black gumbo here. Its thick when wet and sucks your boots right off, then dries hard. It has all kinds of sandstone in it. Hubby turns the soil over in the run bi-weekly to keep it as soft as possible. We also have made it so it no longer gets wet.

You might want to add bark mulch to the run.

 

[LaFleche]

The bedding was 2 inches thick, but they have played in it so much, we plan to pull and replace it this evening.

I would consider 2 inches insufficient and jumping from the roost they might hit the bare ground which can lead to bumble foot when little stones or else will be pressed into their feet.