Yup, we have Bumblefoot!!

[ValerieLovesChickens]

I listened to a couple vet podcasts on roost bars and all the vets recommended at least a 2 inch diameter, rounded off roost bar. Why? It is a more natural fit to the chickens feet. Anything less than 2 inch diameter or too large can cause bumble foot. There may be splinters coming off of the perch imbedding in their feet, especially in moist, humid environments which will raise the grain of the wood. I clean and dry my roost bars off at least 2 X a month with a vinegar solution and I check for splinters on their ramp. Do your chickens get to free range during the day? Confinement may be an issue too. You need to keep a thick bedding. Jumping off the perch to the floor in the coop is where many injuries or splintering can occur. I have oak bark mulch supplied by local arborists (free) in our run. A thick covering of that protects from the rocks underneath as they scratch. I think you are on the right track with their care. But splinters are an issue and inspect your roosts carefully and try switching to a rounded perch that is nice and smoot. Look at homedepot in the scrap wood bin for stair rails. That is what I used. Very hard wood, and rounded already.

Roost bar info interesting, round vs flat. As we were told by our Vet that a round roost bar damages the breast bone, and they need a flat surface to rest on. They actually put the weight of their bodies on their feet. In the wild they find the biggest branch to sleep on, because of this. They do not wrap their toes, like most fowl, instead they lay them flat to sleep on.

So now, I'm really confused......

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Siren our little Welsummer, says let's get this over with already, it is suppertime! LoL Trying to keep my sense of humor through this trying and difficult day. I will check back in later tonight. Thank you everyone.

 

[Chickens are fun]

Roost bar info interesting, round vs flat. As we were told by our Vet that a round roost bar damages the breast bone, and they need a flat surface to rest on. They actually put the weight of their bodies on their feet. In the wild they find the biggest branch to sleep on, because of this. They do not wrap their toes, like most fowl, instead they lay them flat to sleep on.

So now, I'm really confused......

Our Barred Rock was given to us with bumblefoot...we just didn’t have the experience yet to recognize it right away.

I’ve heard the same, that a well-sanded 2x4 with the flat side up is most natural for larger chickens’ feet. Our roosting bar is a smooth 2x4. We also have pine shavings in the henhouse and a sand floor in the run. Our girls free range most of the daylight hours. My concern is how to help her heal so we don’t have recurrence.

Regarding food, we are adding cracked corn, meal worms, black sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds to their crumble for our cold winter. They get grit and oyster and any veggie scraps we have daily with occasional rosemary and garlic. Is there anything nutritionally that may be lacking/contributing to bumblefoot condition?

 

[Chickens are fun]

Siren our little Welsummer, says let's get this over with already, it is suppertime! LoL Trying to keep my sense of humor through this trying and difficult day. I will check back in later tonight. Thank you everyone.

Wish you the best!

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Wish you the best!

I wish you the best too!!
We got 7 pullets taken care of today. 6 of them have the BF in one or both feet. We have 2 left to soak and check over, but they do not appear to have it. So that makes a total of 6 of 9 that have it. Which is 2/3. *scratching my head* We will be making adjustments in the run and coop tomorrow. We are wiped out tonight. That's a lot of work for this over 50 couple, after an already full day. Going to hit it hard in the morning and go until we drop. Take care.

 

[LaFleche]

Roost bar info interesting, round vs flat. As we were told by our Vet that a round roost bar damages the breast bone, and they need a flat surface to rest on. They actually put the weight of their bodies on their feet. In the wild they find the biggest branch to sleep on, because of this. They do not wrap their toes, like most fowl, instead they lay them flat to sleep on.

So now, I'm really confused......

Flat bars wide side up and the edges a little rounded and sanded

 

[LaFleche]

Now, I wonder if anyone has any idea how long it takes for the literal hole in her foot to heal so it won’t refill with debris?

It is best to keep the affected foot wrapped for a little longer, at least until the remaining hole is closed so no dirt/debris can be trapped and start it all anew.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Health Update: the 2 that didn't have BF are still doing great. We cleaned and put blue-kote on the bottom of their feet to protect them. The 7 with the BF have all been removed, some easily , some requiring some minor surgery. That was quite the learning experience. The PRID seems to have worked like magic. We only had to dig around and squeeze on 3 of the 7, but they were also the most severe. They are all enjoying the entire bag of wide flake pine shavings in their coop. The 2 with the worst feet have taken up napping on the floor in the corner. Im okay with that, as its away from the roost bar and their feet have a chance to rest and let the swelling come down. We are also giving them Rooster Booster in their water every other day, 1 drop of drench on the alternate days. Each one got a whole scrambled egg after "surgery" and some iceberg lettuce. Then 30 minutes in a clear tote, before returning to the coop, so we could monitor them and any bleeding. All feet are wrapped and inspected every 48 hours. It's been a long few days here, I'm just glad they are all looking like they will make it.

 

[LaFleche]

Health Update: the 2 that didn't have BF are still doing great. We cleaned and put blue-kote on the bottom of their feet to protect them. The 7 with the BF have all been removed, some easily , some requiring some minor surgery. That was quite the learning experience. The PRID seems to have worked like magic. We only had to dig around and squeeze on 3 of the 7, but they were also the most severe. They are all enjoying the entire bag of wide flake pine shavings in their coop. The 2 with the worst feet have taken up napping on the floor in the corner. Im okay with that, as its away from the roost bar and their feet have a chance to rest and let the swelling come down. We are also giving them Rooster Booster in their water every other day, 1 drop of drench on the alternate days. Each one got a whole scrambled egg after "surgery" and some iceberg lettuce. Then 30 minutes in a clear tote, before returning to the coop, so we could monitor them and any bleeding. All feet are wrapped and inspected every 48 hours. It's been a long few days here, I'm just glad they are all looking like they will make it.

What a way to start your new chicken adventure!

I applaud all your efforts to better your hens and take preventative measures

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Brown Bumble disappeared, most of the swelling gone, but still dark pink. Not sure if this should be opened up or not?? Thoughts?? This is after PRID for 48 hours and a 15 minute warm Epsom salt soak. Any input is welcomed. The brown bumble was on the gauze with some yellowish gunk. Did it draw all the infection out? Why is it still dark pink? Swelling is down 50%