Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects chickens feet, typically caused by an injury that becomes contaminated with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, E-coli, and Pseudomonas. The infection often manifests as a painful welt or abscess on the skin and can lead to swelling, soreness, and limping in the affected chicken. Bumblefoot can occur in one foot or in both feet at the same time. The condition is characterized by swelling, sometimes redness, and often a characteristic black or brown scab on the bottom of the foot. The hard core that forms in the foot pad is like an abscess and is sometimes called a ‘bumble’ or a ‘kernel’. Bumblefoot is a relatively common staph infection that can infect nearly any chicken.

The following are the causes, prevention, and treatment of bumblefoot in chickens:

Causes

• Foot injuries that lead to bumblefoot are often caused by:
  • Stepping on something sharp, such as barbed wire or an old nail
  • Scratches or cuts from rough or sharp surfaces
  • Prolonged standing on hard or rough surfaces
  • Poor nutrition, in particular diets high in carbohydrates and low in vitamins and minerals
  • Obesity
  • Wet or dirty bedding

Prevention

• Proper foot injury treatment
• Good coop management
• Maintaining proper nutrition
• Regular check-ups to monitor the health of your flock
• Ensure your coop is clean and dry, free from sharp objects and chicken poop, and features smooth roosts to minimize the risk of foot injuries
• A healthy diet is vital for overall chicken health and obesity prevention, which can contribute to bumblefoot
• Regularly inspect your chickens’ feet for any signs of injury or infection and address any issues promptly

Treatment

• Cleaning the wound
• Applying appropriate medications like triple antibiotic ointment
• Dressing the wound in vet wrap to protect it from further contamination
• Soaking the chicken’s foot in a salt bath to treat it for the infection
• Removing diseased tissue and veterinary attention may be necessary in severe cases
• Ideally, a chicken with bumblefoot will be treated by a poultry veterinarian. However, if a poultry vet is not available, the following procedures can be used to treat bumblefoot infections at home.