Solitary chicken - need advice

[djmissj]

I have a bluebelle hen Millie, we bought her a few months ago as a 22 week old pullet, and didn't realise at the time she had bumblefoot. It was a mild case, but it did make her a bit wobbly on her feet. I then realised that the place I got her from had really high perches and she is a big heavy hen, this is probably what caused it.

 

We took her to the vet and she said it wasn't at the 'surgery' stage so she had 10 days of nisamox and the scabs did shrink substantially. I've been keeping an eye on her since then (its been about 12 weeks i guess since antibi's)

Steadily the black scabs on the bottom of her feet (on the pad area) have been getting bigger again.

She doesnt perch and my perches in the coop are only 2 inches off the bedding, but obviously this is somthing that is going to be hard to get rid of.

 

Frustrating thing is I've just noticed one of my calder ranges Amber, has a swollen toe, checked it and sure enough there is a small black scab underneath-Bumblefoot! Now she is a madam and is always jumping up on the garden furniture and having a snooze on the arms of the chairs in the garden.

 

With Millie having it on both feet, what would you suggest is the next step? I don't really want to go down surgery route as she is so easily stressed, and I feel its too risky. What about poulticing her feet? Anyone done this before?

 

Thanks

[Luvachicken]

Two of mine had bumblefoot.

The vet gave them Baytril and some iodine.

It has almost cleared up although the antibiotics were finished a while ago, but I still try to wash their feet with weak iodine twice a week.

Queenie's feet look almost perfect whereas Gemma still has a small bit on her foot. I managed to get off the bit and then gave it a really good wash yesterday. Because of being on holiday and my dog being very poorly and being put to sleep on Monday, the chickens haven't had as much attention as they should have.

 

I would get some iodine from a chemist - you have to water it down to a weak tea solution - I hope this helps, otherwise you might need some antibiotics for the other hen.