I have a hen that has a lump on the bottom of her foot. It looks swollen and she is not moving around much, The rooster is pecking at her. Any ideas what this is or what I should do for her?
Diane

Look in your poultry books for "bumble foot" It is an absess that develops in a cracked foot pad. It can be treated by lancing it open and washing it out with a disinfectant like peroxide. Separate her from the flock until she recovers and can hold her own with the other birds.

My rooster has bumblefoot, too. The lump on his foot doesn't have an obvious lesion to lance. We have injected antibiotics into the foot and I do soaks. He sits very well in the bathtub in the hot water and epsom salts. The vet also gave me a salve to put on his foot after the soaks and I have to wrap it in gauze. He seems to be responding very well to this treatment. The vet also suggested tetracycline in his drinking water. He said the injections were not effective, yet, because there are so many organisms that are involved in an infection like that. I'm keeping him caged and away from everyone else as to not make him want to chase hens or fight with the other roosters.