Sometimes chickens will develop a bacterial or fungal infection if not cared for properly, if they have jumped off a high perch and injured themselves, or they may have something stuck in the bottom of their foot like a small shard of glass, metal or stickers. The most likely causes of bacterial and fungal infections in poultry feet are:
Dirty bedding-Your chickens bedding should always be kept clean and dry. Bedding can be composted for gardens. Some people prefer the deep litter method which if done improperly can cause foot infections.
Dirty or green water-Water should be clean and clear at all times, kept covered, clear, and cool with no signs of green mildew or slime on the sides of water container or inside the water.
Injury-Sometimes sharp objects left in or around areas your chickens have access too can harm them. If they step on something sharp or a hard sticker, it can get stuck in their feet and cause and infection which can quickly cause bacterial fungal infections.
Moldy feed
Can cause bacterial infections, bumble foot, and fungal infections in chicken feet and respiratory systems that can be deadly as they quickly deteriorate your birds condition.
Worms
Poultry should be de-wormed monthly. Chickens with worms are at more risk of contracting bacterial and fungal infections like bumblefoot.
Symptoms of Fungal Foot Problems
Dirty bedding-Your chickens bedding should always be kept clean and dry. Bedding can be composted for gardens. Some people prefer the deep litter method which if done improperly can cause foot infections.
Dirty or green water-Water should be clean and clear at all times, kept covered, clear, and cool with no signs of green mildew or slime on the sides of water container or inside the water.
Injury-Sometimes sharp objects left in or around areas your chickens have access too can harm them. If they step on something sharp or a hard sticker, it can get stuck in their feet and cause and infection which can quickly cause bacterial fungal infections.
Moldy feed
Can cause bacterial infections, bumble foot, and fungal infections in chicken feet and respiratory systems that can be deadly as they quickly deteriorate your birds condition.
Worms
Poultry should be de-wormed monthly. Chickens with worms are at more risk of contracting bacterial and fungal infections like bumblefoot.
Symptoms of Fungal Foot Problems
- Pink or red areas on feet and toes.
- Round red circle on bottom of foot pad indicates possible injury, early stages of Bumblefoot, ring worm, or fungal infection.
Signs of Foot Pad Dermatitis (Bumble Foot)
Bumblefoot: Signs/Symptoms/Prevention/Treatments
Hard pus filled abscess on the pad on the bottom of the foot covered by a black or brown scab.
Go to Bumblefoot Treatments
Hard pus filled abscess on the pad on the bottom of the foot covered by a black or brown scab.
- Lameness/reluctance to walk
- Swelling on the foot
- Heat (feels warm or hot to the touch)
- Redness
- Black or Brown Scab (Savage/Dr. Darre, 2016).
Go to Bumblefoot Treatments
