Many years of taxidermy as well as many birds I've either shot or helped someone take I've seen a pretty fair amount w large lumps often on the bottom of the foot. Anybody have any idea how this happens.
I believe it's called bumble foot it usually causes large lumps or club feet. It's from a parasite that gets in to there feet. i have killed a bird with a hot dog for a toe before, and saw another that had a club foot. I think they get it from walking in some type of animal poop maybe cow.
I killed one with club feet once and I asked our main research biologist about it and he said that was often a sign that some domestic genes had got into the wild gene pool. Thing s like this is why states outlawed release of pen raised birds. There is too much possiblity for tranfering disease and genetic weknesses into the flock.
Interesting answers guys. No one I've asked has ever had an idea
It is bumblefoot. I don't remember much about my poultry lectures, but do remember that. Usually a black scab in the center of the knot, unless it is just healed scar tissue. It is caused by a bacteria (several species), not a parasite.
Guess I learned something new today. Never seen it.
gr8vet, thanks for the expert information. I have seen the club feet in tame birds and a few with the club feet in wild birds, is it possible the biologist was right and the club feet are genetic? The one I killed had the whole foot involved and I don't remeber if there was any black scab. I was just wondering, I am not questioning your knowledge, I accept that as correct. I image a lot of us learned something thanks
I have seen em w black scabs. Thought it was something it stepped on initially but I've seen it fairly often throughout the years n it didn't seem an accident would affect exact spot on foot. Thanks again guys
Certainly no poultry expert here. Not sure what club foot is really-I know what it is in horses and cattle and people, just don't in turkeys-I would trust the biologist over me. I suppose they could have a genetic predisposition to a foot malformation. I do know that foot injuries are common on poultry due to pen bottoms and roosting sites as well (being too harsh on feet).