mum2boys Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 sorry this is wierd question but I can't think my way through it! chickens have been free-ranging during the day up until recently (has stopped as veggie production is in full pelt!).. the ends of their claws have blobs of what I can only think of as compacted round balls of soil/poo... have tried to take it off but UD was not amused... does it bother them? how can I take it off? they are confined to quarters atm in a run with hemcore/aubiose flooring on slabs... thanks, becca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Hm, might be worth standing them in a bowl of tepid, soapy water to see if that helps soften it. My other thought was bumblefoot, but I think that is unlikely if the lump is on every toe. Probably just not been wiping their feet properly Mucky girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 They do sometimes get clumped, like Snowy said, soak their feet and it will come off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum2boys Posted May 22, 2008 Author Share Posted May 22, 2008 lol! so am I best to take each chicken in turn and soak feet or give them a "paddling bowl"?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 I would do each one in turn. What fun. UD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum2boys Posted May 22, 2008 Author Share Posted May 22, 2008 thank you a job for the next sunny day I think! UD = Upsy-Daisy we have Chicken and Iggle-Piggle too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Aaah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 There was an article about this is Practical Poultry magazine a few months ago. It can cause them problems if left too long. They also advise soaking the feet in warm water and gently loosening the 'balls' of muck off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 one of mine gets this when it's wet ( why only one? they all scratch around together!) I fill a cat-litter tray with warm water, no soap needed, and hold her in it so she's 'paddling'. She is not keen but it usually only takes a few minutes to soften and then it just floats off, or you can help it on its way a bit. Do let it soften though, I once got over-enthusiastic and made her claw bleed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum2boys Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 well I bathed UD and C feet this morning - didn't finish C's as she got a bit agitated and I didn't want to stress her too much but UD loved it! It was so wierd bathing a chicken's feet! She tucked herself under my arm and looked around as peaceful as can be! The other two spread themselves out on the floor of the run and watched us quietly.. not a sound to be heard! Guess I will be doing this again!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
