The Poultry Keeper

UG123 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Nth. lincolnshire

Hi. I haven't been to the forums for a while, long time no see! Laughing

One of my hens has got a swollen foot. Anyone know what it might be and what I should do? (apart from cleaning it all up) Sad

CP · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:19 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear she has a poor foot. Can you see if there is an entry wound?

I haven't had any experiences of swollen chickens feet, but I think there is something called 'bumble foot'. Have a look in the wiki or golden nuggets & see if you can find anything.

Someone else may be able to help you more. Confused

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

Is it the whole foot? Or just the ankle area (is that the right terminology for a chook!?)

If its just the ankle, it could be bumble foot. This is a swelling from infection from some kind of puncture wound under the foot (though I had to look really close to see the black dot that was the original injury healed over when the vet showed me).

I had a chook with this quite a while ago, and she had one course of antibiotics (baytril) from the vet. That reduced the swelling quite a bit, but she was still limping at the end of the course. The remainder went down on its own (I was given a 2nd course of antibiotics, but for various reasons didn't start them, and as it kept getting better on its own, never did).

But now... personally it depends how bad it is. If it was causing a problem (eg it was affecting how much she ate or drank because she didn't want to move) I'd go to the vets asap for more antibiotics. If it seemed bearable and the chook was coping okay I'd prefer to try the natural route first. I'd start with feeding the chook some fresh garlic every day (for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, immune system stimulating effects etc) and see how she goes. Though natural remedies do tend to take longer to work than antibiotics...

I personally would also consider using some aromatherapy eg tea tree oil. But that can be a bit contraversial. There isn't a lot written about using aromatherapy on birds. The last book I bought about using aromatherapy on various animals is 221 pages long, but only has 2 and a bit pages on birds Confused

And half of that is dire warnings about house birds (eg parrots, love birds etc) being poisoned by artificial fragranced room sprays, scented candles or teflon frying pans! I think what was DOES come across from the literature is that birds are a LOT smaller than us. And are basically big lungs with feathers. So dosages must be much, much smaller if used with birds because they are so much more sensitive than us (which is why they took canaries down coal mines...)

Of course, it might not even be bumble foot. It could just be some sort of sprain from landing awkwardly? In which case I would think it would get better on its own with some rest and TLC.

If the whole foot looks bigger, and crusty, look up scaley leg - its caused by a mite that can get under the scales and raise them, making the whole foot look like its getting bigger.

Whatever it is, I hope she's better soon. Do keep in touch and give us an update to let us know how she's doing Smile

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

BUMBLEFOOT is caused for birds dropping to the hard ground from roost. is a bacteria know as staphylococcus. The ball of the foot and area around toes will be swollen and full of pus. It will cause birds to become lame.

Use a good combiotic like penicillin . 1/2 cc in swollen area. you may have to cut open the swollen area and squeeze the pus out. Use a good triple antibiotic on abscess keep bird in a small pen with no roost and lots of soft litter.
Is the other foot showing signs of swelling/How high a protein feed do you feed,could be sign of gout.
Another thing it could be is filarid worms they can cause the swollen feet , also something called Swollen head disease, that can travel to the feet
I don`t think it could be mites,but you could inspect for these and treat accordingly

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Whats going on with your chickens foot? Is it any better?

UG123 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Nth. lincolnshire

She seems a little bit better now. The foot's not quite as swolen. Confused

She seems to have gone off her food though. we had to hand-feed her today. Rolling Eyes

I've been putting vaseline and honey on the foot, and I'm going to give her some garlic every day from now on, but I can't get antibiotics from the vet, it's too expensive! (and the vet said she couldn't sell me antibiotics unless she'd seen the chook - more expense!) so it'll have to be the natural method - unless anyone knows where else i can get some baytril? I'll keep you posted on how she's going, and thanks for all the help. Smile

Lisa · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject:

Might be worth ringing round the vets if you have more than one in your area, as prices do vary. I have taken one of mine to an Avian vet before. IIRC an initial consultation was around £28 plus drugs on top. My local (dog) vet puts chickens through as a "child's pet consultation" which is under a tenner and the Baytril was only £2-£3 extra. Quite some difference.

As Chicken Smuggler said, if there is still an abcess, another option is to lance it in some way to allow it to drain to relieve the pressure and pain. Not an option I'd choose - I'd be too worried I'd hurt the chook - but it is a recommended proceedure.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

If you need a more detailed explanation on how to treat bumblefoot,let me know.As far as hurting the chicken.it wouldn`t be pleasant for it but think of it this way,You have a terrible toothache--you are going out of your mind with pain.the dentist pulls your tooth--that hurts,but it is a good pain--better than what pain you were in before.Also I would recommend to have another person with you to hold the bird, it is easier that way then trying to hold and cut by yourself.

Lisa · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I should rephrase my last bit. What I meant was: its not an option I'd choose to do myself. Rather I'd get my vet to do the cutting instead with the vet nurse holding the bird Embarassed

They did that with one of my birds with a blocked crop once. Fascinating to watch - just couldn't do it myself...

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

I understand,but vets arte expensive,so if I can do it myself with good results--that is what I will do.I do see your point.

UG123 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Nth. lincolnshire

OK. I'll do the draining thing as a last resort. I'm not gonna try anything like that yet. putting cream on it seems to be working a litle bit, so I'll keep doing that for now. If after a long time it's still no better, I'll take action. Shocked

although it does sound scary, making a hole in her foot... I fed her some garlic today, which might do her some good, but foot isn't her only problem. She's keeping her eyes (well one at least ) closed. They're not swollen or frothy or anything like that, she just keeps them closed. Any ideas why? (it may be just because I've been feeding her at night, when she's tired, and she's in pain, etc...) But this is why we have to feed her - she can't peck her food properly, 'cos she can't see it properly...
Sad

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Appears the infection may be bringing her down--treat with antibiotics and lance the foot and get the pus out and pack with neosporin ( or a triple anti-bacterial cream) and bandage.

fenwoman · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: swollen foot

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

I was only giving advise when I told how to cure it,but as I have stated in other posts,my advise and procedures here in the U.S. are legal and I never want anyone to break any laws of their country.I agree with you though,If you aren`t going to help the chicken then cull it and put it out of its misery

CP · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject:

I think most people realise that the forum is only a collection of other people's experiences & treatments.
It is not a substitute for a qualified vet, even if they aren't specialist poultry vets.

A lot of minor ailments are easily treated & cured, & when asked for advice we hope to offer some guidance & help for everyone concerned.

However, if the chicken/duck/turkey or whatever is obviously suffering to extreme, then the kindest thing to do is to cull, if you cannot visit or contact a vet.