While there are a plethora of diseases that chickens can get, I was determined to never have to deal with any of that! Hahaha but guess what? That’s not real life, and when you’re raising chickens it’s better to be educated and prepared than taken by surprise.
Regular Health Checks Are Key
I frequently check my girls over from head to toe. I like to do that on a regular basis to make sure they are happy and healthy. Much to my dismay, I noticed that Reba had a case of bumblefoot. At first glance, I thought she maybe just had some dirt stuck to the bottom of her feet. But, upon further inspection, it was definitely a case of bumblefoot. What is bumblefoot, you may ask?
What is Bumblefoot?
According to poultrydvm.com, “Bumblefoot, also known as footpad dermatitis or pododermatitis refers to any inflammatory or degenerative condition of the chicken's foot. It occurs commonly in birds kept in captivity. If bumblefoot is recognized during the early stages, it is relatively easy to treat. Often all that's needed is simple management and environmental modifications.”
Causes and Risks of Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can enter the chicken’s feet through an abrasion, cut, sliver, or other injury.
It’s most common in:
Obese birds
Birds with decreased blood supply
Unequal weight-bearing birds
Birds that stand for prolonged periods
Bumblefoot can be painful for your chickens and, if left untreated, can even lead to death. The good news is that you can treat bumblefoot non-surgically! My son and I treated Reba with no problem and she’s doing great to this day.
How to Treat Bumblefoot
What You'll Need:
Soaking bowl/tub
Bath towel
Rubber gloves
Epsom salt
Tweezers
Chlorhexidine solution, betadine, or hydrogen peroxide (little more harsh)
Triple antibiotic cream
Sterile pads
Wrap
Step-by-Step Treatment Process
Soak the Foot: We started by getting a bowl of clean, warm water and added Epsom salt. We wrapped Reba in a towel to keep her calm, and she actually loved soaking in the Epsom salt bath—she even dozed off a bit!
Remove the Bumblefoot Plug: After about 10-15 minutes, we flipped her onto her back to get a good angle on the bumblefoot plugs. Using tweezers, we gently removed each plug. If the plugs are not soft enough, soak the feet a little longer. Be sure to remove the entire plug.
Clean and Dress the Wound: We cleaned the area with chlorhexidine solution and then applied triple antibiotic cream over the wound. Since the plugs leave a hole, you need to keep it clean until it heals from the inside out. Cover it with a sterile pad and wrap her foot gently.
Monitor and Change the Wrap: Depending on the cleanliness of the wrap, I changed it every day or two until she was completely healed. Reba didn’t mind the process at all and was off on her merry way when we finished!
Make sure you use gloves and are careful to disinfect anything you used to treat the bumblefoot. It is the staph bacteria, so you want to protect yourself a well.
Natural Alternative: Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos
If you don’t want to use antibiotic cream over the wound, you could use the wound spray called Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos by Strong Animals.
Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos is a safe and natural way to sooth and mend wounds, cuts, scrapes and abrasions for your flock. It contains organic lavender, tea tree essential oils and vitamin E to aid healing and protection from infection.
Check out this video below on Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos and how it works.
Keeping Your Coop Clean Helps Prevent Bumblefoot
Finding and treating bumblefoot is not difficult. I always keep the items I need for treating our girls on hand. Keeping a clean coop will definitely help.
If you’re feeling guilty over your chickens having bumblefoot or some other setback, please don’t. Chickens are busy little birds who sometimes find themselves injured or hurt.
Our job as backyard chicken keepers is to do our very best for them, treat them when we can and comfort and love them through the process. They will be back to their sweet little sassy selves before you
know it!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos - Wound Care for Chickens
Bye-Bye, Boo-Boos is a safe and natural way to soothe and mend wounds, cuts, scrapes and abrasions for your flock. It contains organic lavender, tea tree essential oils and vitamin E to aid healing and protection from infection.