When Chickens Get Spa Days: Bumblefoot at Stella’s Rescue

By Kelsey Dolan, Stella’s Rescue

Life at Stella’s Rescue is never boring. Between the horses, goats, barn cats, and chickens, there’s always something unexpected happening. Right now, our “unexpected” comes in the form of one sassy little hen named 'Light blue' Lucy — who has bumblefoot and is currently living in the basement like a feathery queen.

Wait… Chickens in the Basement?

Yes, you read that right. 'Light blue' Lucy has temporarily moved inside with the rescue kittens while she heals. Think of it as her private recovery suite — complete with daily room service, cozy bedding, and what we like to call spa treatments.

The Famous Bucket Spa

To treat bumblefoot, Lucy needs regular Epsom salt soaks. Instead of holding her wiggly chicken self over a tub (not fun for anyone), we got creative. We fashioned a bucket with a hole in the lid just big enough for her head to fit through. So Lucy sit's inside, dips her foot in the salty soak, and relaxes.

But here’s the best part — every so often, she pokes her little head out of the bucket hole. Imagine playing Whac-A-Mole, but instead of a mole, it’s a sassy chicken giving you side-eye. It’s impossible not to laugh.

So… What Exactly Is Bumblefoot?

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects the bottom of a chicken’s foot. It often starts with a small cut or sore, and bacteria sneak in. Left untreated, it can be painful and even dangerous.

How to Spot It:

• Limping or avoiding walking

• Swollen or red feet

• A hard black/brown scab on the bottom of the foot

• Warmth or tenderness

Common Causes:

• Rough or uneven perches

• Sharp objects or rocks in the run

• Dirty or wet bedding

• Obesity (too much weight on the feet)

  
  

Treating Bumblefoot

Treatment depends on severity:

• Mild cases: foot soaks in warm Epsom salt water, antibiotic ointment, and clean bedding.

• More advanced cases: may require careful removal of the infected core and antibiotics — often best handled by a vet.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

• Keep coop floors clean and dry

• Provide smooth, rounded perches

• Keep an eye on flock weights with a balanced diet

• Do regular foot checks

  
  
  
  

The Bigger Picture

Lucy’s bucket spa might make us laugh, but it’s also saving her foot. That’s the balance of rescue work — equal parts grit, creativity, and humor. Sometimes animal care looks like emergency surgery, and sometimes it looks like playing basement Whac-A-Mole with a chicken in an Epsom salt bath.

Lucy is healing well and will soon be back outside, ruling the barnyard as she was meant to. Until then, the spa stays open.