Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 On of my hens, a 4 year old, Barred Plymouth Rock hen, has developed extremely swollen feet. She had mildly (not visible unless you looked for it) swollen feet for the past year and a half, but in the past month, they have become very swollen. To such an extent where she now very rarely leaves the hen house. She rather sits in a corner of the henhouse for most of the day. It appears to me that she finds it painful to walk on her feet, and has trouble balancing herself. As she could not retain the balance neccessary to compete with the other hens for food/water etc. I have had to give her her own little bowl of food and little water drinker. Many people who I have asked for opinions on are telling me there is nothing I can do for her. Some have told me it is a "thing with heavy hens" (she was a rather hefty hen) I feel that her quality of life has been greatly reduced. I am afraid that if she gets a splinter and her feet get infected, she is finished for good. I honestly don't know what to do with her really, do I keep doing what I'm doing, or just, dare I say, put her out of her misery. I would hope it wouldn't have to come to the second option. All ideas or suggestions or cures are greatly appreciated Thanking all in advance, Mr Rhode Island Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Ouch, sounds sore. Bumblefoot Have no experience at all of this and just hazarding a guess. Think I would have her seen by a vet who might be able to help her. Good luck. hope she bounces back soon. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 I would suggest you seek the opinion of a vet, who is qualified to advise. Bumblefoot can be cured, but if left untreated for a long time, it may be very difficult. Your hen is undoubtedly in pain if she is not following normal hen activity and can't walk to reach food and drink. If there is nothing that can be done then dispatching her would be the kindest option but please don't leave her in pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 It probably was a splinter that caused the bumblefoot n he first place. A vet will lance the infection, pack it and give her antibiotics. It is curable if treated quickly, but as it has been a month I am not sure. Best to see a vet asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie mum Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 One of my girls had bumblefoot last year and my vet also said that it could be down to her being too hefty. Unfortunately for her antibiotics didn't work so we tried the holistic route as well as bathing her feet twice a day in a diluted pevidine solution. For us it worked she had a drop of hepar sulphur twice a day and thankfully after a couple of weeks he feet were better. It may not work for you but might be worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 As this has been going on for a whole month with no signs of improvement, you should take her to a vet ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I'd also get her to a vet. The hen will be in pain and suffering. Bumblefoot can be caused by a cut or splinter or a sudden jar such as jumping down from a perch that is too high Hundreds of people up and down the country keep heavy breeds with few problems so it shouldnt be accepted as normal or 'just one of those things' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 picture of condition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 What did the vet say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie mum Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Would definitely get her to a vet. My girl had bumblefoot but her feet looked nothing like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 That looks more like scaly leg mite to me and, as others have said, you really should take her to the vet and get her some treatment. There are scaly leg treatments freely available too, and Sudocrem has worked well for me, but as it has been going on for such a long time I would get some professional advice ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 No chicken vets in my area. Only vets who specialise in cattle and sheep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 In that case you will have to trust their judgement. I expect they will have some knowledge of chickens. What isn't an acceptable option is to do nothing at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Any vet will be able to do something for this hen, even if it means humanely dispatching her. Very few vets are chicken specialists but as part of their general training they learn about birds and can treat infections. From your earlier post, she has been in pain and unable to walk properly for a month - please don't let this go on. Leaving her to suffer is not an option, you must either get treatment or cull her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Is it the same hen as the one you asked about in your thread HERE? If so it has been going of for over a year now. The condition is now chronic and will be extremely difficult for anyone to treat. You really do need to seek professional attention for her. Any vet regardless of their speciality will be able to examine her and advise you as to the best course of action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Yes, Chucky mama, the same hen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Right, the same hen. So how did you sort the problem out last time? Maybe that is worth a try? Sorry, but she will be in pain and needs treatment. As someone has said, there are very few poultry vets in the country, they have to do extra study to qualify as avian vets, but they are able to treat birds. ANY vet will be able to help. Good luck with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi, Have you managed to get her to the vet yet? I can't really add much to what everyone else has said, other than you need to go as an emergency if not - the poor girl will be in pain. One thing your vet may be able to do is call other vets for advice on the condition, which is probably a bit better than us lot having to use google and hope for the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 What about trying www.chickenvet.co.uk if you are stuck? You could text them a picture. Disclaimer:I have never used them and I would have thought a live examination would be better if at all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Explained symptoms to a vet (who amazingly has quite alot of experience with hens) and he said that it sounds similar to a description of a hen with Marek's disease. But he said it is possible that she is just overweight. He said that if it is Marek's that there is very little you can do for her, if she is overweight, there is a chance that you could limit her food intake to regulate her weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Marek's - really? Signs of Marek's Disease From helium.com: "It generally hits young chickens between the ages of 5 and 25 weeks of age. Mortality once infected is near 100%. •Signs Marek's has four typical expressions: ocular (eye), cutaneous (skin), neural (nerves) and visceral (internal organs). In the ocular form, the shape of the chicken's pupil deforms (it should be round) and the brown iris turns gray. Light sensitivity occurs followed by blindness. The cutaneous form displays reddened, swollen lumps at the site of the feather follicle. In the neural form the sciatic nerve is swollen causing lameness to the point of paralysis in the legs, dropped wings, “gaping” (gasping for breath), weight loss and diarrhea. The birds can't get to food and water without assistance and may be trampled by other chickens. The visceral form is only observed by an overall wasting. During autopsy tumors on many of the internal organs can be seen. Occasionally a chicken will seem to resolve his symptoms and function normally for a short time. This is almost always followed by death due to the growth of internal tumors." Do you think this sounds like what she has? Hopefully not. I suggest you take the chicken to be seen by a specialist vet or failing that any vet. She has had this problem for a long time now and may be in pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm very doubtful too. Neither of these suggestions by this vet have any credibility. I'd find another one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 But the vet didn't actually see her? I am surprised they were willing to give a diagnosis on a description of symptoms. Wouldn't it be better to take her to ANY vet who could offer some treatment? It's a week since you posted about this hen, and she is still suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 My vets are NON Avian specialists, and I would have though there are lots of possible veterinary treatments that any half way decent vet would try even if not much idea. I have a disabled ex bat that had been free 5 months before she came to me. She had not seen a vet, and it breaks my heart to think that she was still suffering unnecessarily. Day 2 and she had seen a vet although too late to possibly straighten her legs, she has been having treatment ever since. I just want to cry when I hear of a hen in pain and not getting help. I have a big girls 2.5 kg and she IS overweight too . her feet are fine.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 It is not fair to rely on the advice of a vet who has not seen the bird. It is unlikely to be Marek's in view of her age, but whatever it is needs to be treated ASAP to prevent any further suffering. As everyone has advised in response to your request, this poor chicken needs to see a vet, plain and simple. I don't mean to be unkind, but you have asked for advice and everyone has said the same thing, so why not do as suggested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
