My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

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PoultryPassion
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My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by PoultryPassion »

Hi everyone,

Just noticed one of my hens is walking a bit strangely.
I picked her up and found some small scabs on her feet.
Could this be bumblefoot?
I’m taking pictures now, but I’m not sure what to do next.
Any advice on how to treat this or what steps I should take?
Thanks!
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NestEggNut
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by NestEggNut »

Yes, it looks like bumblefoot.
The scabs are likely abscesses, and they can cause pain when walking.
You’ll want to clean the foot thoroughly and possibly remove the scab to drain the pus.
It’s best to soak her feet in warm Epsom salt water to soften the scab before you attempt to remove it.
Afterward, you can apply a bit of antibiotic ointment and wrap her foot.
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HenThusiast
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by HenThusiast »

Definitely bumblefoot.
You’ll want to soak her feet in warm water to loosen the scabs.
Then gently remove them.
You may need to drain any pus if there’s any.
After that, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin
And wrap it up to keep it clean.
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by HenAndTonic »

Bumblefoot is definitely a possibility here. To treat it, soak her foot in warm water with some Epsom salts to soften the scab, then carefully remove it. If you see any pus, gently drain it, clean the foot, and apply antibiotic ointment. Wrap it to keep it clean while it heals. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult a vet for help.
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by CoopRebel »

Sounds like bumblefoot, which is pretty common. I had a hen with it last year. I cleaned the foot, removed the scab carefully (you may need to use a sterile scalpel or scissors), and treated it with antibiotic ointment. Make sure to keep her off hard surfaces while she heals.
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by ScratchAndCluck »

It’s likely bumblefoot.
I’ve treated it before by soaking the hen’s foot in warm water
Removing the scab carefully, draining any pus, and applying antibiotic ointment.
Make sure to keep her confined to a soft area until it heals so she doesn’t put too much strain on her foot.
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by BarnyardBoss »

Yes, that's bumblefoot.
If you can, soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to soften the scab, then gently remove it.
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Re: My Hen Has Scabs on Her Feet, Is It Bumblefoot?

Post by HenVentor »

PoultryPassion wrote: Sun Jan 19, 2025 5:19 am Hi everyone,

Just noticed one of my hens is walking a bit strangely.
I picked her up and found some small scabs on her feet.
Could this be bumblefoot?
I’m taking pictures now, but I’m not sure what to do next.
Any advice on how to treat this or what steps I should take?
Thanks!
It could be bumblefoot, but make sure you’re sure before starting any treatment.
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