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Discover the freedom of chicken orbs.

Enhancing Garden Harmony with Feathery Friends Introducing Chicken Orbs, the ingenious spherical...  

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Chickens in Gardens, Naturally...

Unleash your chicken's wild side with chicken orbs.

These supervised foraging enclosures, boasting a generous 55cm diameter, provide the ideal space for your pampered medium-sized pet chickens to explore the backyard or embark on exciting foraging expeditions beyond its limits. Urban farmers now have the power to dictate when, where, and how their hens forage, all while keeping the notorious Flickin' Chicken Mess at bay. It's the ultimate solution for harmonious chicken foraging, giving your feathered friends the freedom they crave without the chaos you dread. It's foraging chickens, without the Flickin' Chicken Mess.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

The chicken orb: the must-have accessory for urban farmers, sustainable gardeners, and permaculture enthusiasts, why gardeners love them.

ELEVATE YOUR CHICKEN RAISING EXPERIENCE:

Embrace the ease and control with Chicken Orbs.

Raising and caring for chickens is undeniably rewarding, but it can also be more challenging than anticipated. That's where Chicken Orbs come to the rescue, revolutionizing the way you nurture your flock. Unleash the Power of Foraging: With the Chicken Orb, you gain the ability to fine-tune their foraging habits to match your preferences. No more excessive digging or dust bathing – you have the control! Direct Their Foraging Adventures: Say goodbye to random pecking and scratching! The Chicken Orb empowers you to guide your feathered friends to specific areas of your garden, strategically targeting the spots where you need their help the most. Watch as they naturally contribute to pest reduction, creating harmony in your green haven. Effortless Foraging Management: Bid farewell to the hassle of catching chickens when it's time to return them to the coop. The Chicken Orb simplifies the process by allowing you to set time-limited intervals for their foraging sessions. No more chasing or stressing your flock – it's all about convenience and peace of mind. Discover the game-changer that will transform your chicken-raising journey – the remarkable Chicken Orb! Embrace the control, efficiency, and joy it brings to your backyard haven.

PROTECT YOUR GARDEN, UNITE YOUR PETS!

Chicken Orbs provide a unique solution to protect your gardens from curious chickens while fostering a peaceful coexistence. Picture it as a personal space boundary, allowing enclosed chickens to move at a leisurely pace.

If your fur babies and feathered friends are familiar, but not always friendly, instinct may be the factor,  now they can peacefully share the garden without the chaos of feathers and fur flying. By restricting the chickens' ability to run, it may curbs the dogs' natural instinct to chase, promoting a harmonious atmosphere.

As responsible pet owners, it's essential to understand our companions and make informed decisions. Chicken Orbing is an activity that requires supervision, and what could be more entertaining than watching your chickens confidently strut around in their Orbs?

CHICKEN ORB TRAINING

DOES THE CHICKEN ORB REPLACE MY COOP?

Discover the Perfect Balance for Your Chickens!

While Chicken Orbs are an incredibly useful accessory for your feathered friends, it's important to remember that they complement, rather than replace, the need for a coop. Chickens need to dust bathe - It's a hilarious sight to see them flapping around in the dirt, and it turns out it's also an essential and healthy habit for them. Chickens like to lay eggs in private - Just like us, they prefer some privacy when it comes to laying their precious eggs. We can all relate to wanting a little personal space during those moments. Not every day is sunshine and rainbows - Chickens are incredibly resilient creatures and can adapt to various environments, but let's face it, the weather isn't always ideal for Chicken Orbing adventures. Strike the perfect balance by providing your chickens with a coop for their private moments, a place to dust bathe, and shelter during less favorable weather conditions. Give your chickens the best of both worlds!

ROAMING WITH YOUR CHICKEN AND ORB

Have you ever wondered if your pet chickens would relish the opportunity to forage beyond the boundaries of your backyard? Chicken orbing opens up a whole new world of exploration for your feathered friends. It allows them to spread their wings and venture into places they wouldn't typically go, discovering exciting foraging opportunities along the way. Embark on roaming adventures with your chicken and orb, and witness their joy as they explore uncharted territories.

It's an experience that will truly enrich their lives and yours.

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CHICKEN PRINT COLLECTION

100% muckproof from farm to coop.

The popular chicken-print collection features our best-selling styles for women and kids, including the Chore Boot, Muckster II Mid Boot, and Muckster Lite Clog. These stylish and comfortable boots are perfect for tending to your feathered friends on the farm.

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• 100% Waterproof
• Breathable Mesh
• EVA Footbed
• Subfreezing to 65°F / 18°C
• Mixed, Rocky & Wet
• Loose, Mixed & Wet

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Best Farm Shoes To Wear In The Chicken Coop

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If you’ve ever had chicken poop stuck on the bottom of your shoes, you know the value of appropriate farm shoes. A dedicated pair of footgear for chicken coop chores is essential. And with the largest bird flu outbreak ever, keeping the chicken coop a bio-safety zone is vital.

There are plenty of farm boots or shoes on the market, and we’ll address the best ones by type and usage.

Best Farm Shoes in Winter

• Best Farm Shoes in Summer
• Best Farm Shoes for Rain/Mud
• Best Slip-on Farm Shoes

Let’s address the best buys and their specifics.

The Best Farm Shoes for the Chicken Coop

Best for Winter

Bogs Classic Insulated Snow Boots

CHECK PRICE

Best for Summer

Crocs Unisex Classic Clogs

Best for Rain and Mud

Hunter Original Vegan Rain Boots

Best Slip-On Farm Shoes

Birkenstock Super-Birki Original Clogs

With so many different types of winter shoes available, it can get overwhelming when looking for the perfect pair of winter boots.

Not only do they have to be comfortable and warm, but we also want to wear them inside the chicken coop, so the boots must be easy to clean and comfortable to put on and off.

Let’s go over our Top 3 Best Farm Shoes In Winter :

• Bogs Snow Boots

The North Face Thermoball

• Sorel Out N About Puffy

The Best Farm Shoes – Winter

Bogs classic.

Insulated Snow Boots

Insulated Traction Mule

Sorel Out ‘N About Puffy

Puffy Winter Boot with 200g Insulation

How we did the test

We’ve tested several different types of winter shoes and came to our top 3. All are easy to slip on and off and easy to clean.

We tested all the boots for several days to do the early morning chores around the house and the chicken coop. Temperatures were around freezing, and the weather was misty and damp.

The boots were tested for maintenance, water resistance, ease of cleaning, and keeping our feet toasty warm.

1. Bogs Snow Boots

The winner of the ‘Best Winter Boot’ test is the Bogs Amanda Snow Boot .

These snow boots are a well-known type of winter boots made of natural rubber and neoprene . The company describes Bogs boots as long-lasting, high-quality boots that should last a lifetime.

Our purchased boots are Amanda boots, rubber boots with synthetic lining on the inside of the boot to keep your feet warm in harsh winter months.

The boots feel warm and are comfortable to walk in. They stayed firmly on our feet the entire time working in and around the chicken coop, but are very easy to put on and off.

Easy to clean? Yes, Bogs boots can be rinsed with a hose and gently scrubbed to remove any stubborn dirt or chicken poop. You don’t need to use soap; leave the boots to dry naturally after rinsing. But be careful not to soak the inside, as it takes some time to dry.

Water-resistant? Yes. Bogs boots are made of natural rubber, so they’ll keep your feet and legs dry. The Amanda boots we tested are laced boots, but the inside is completely waterproof, as there are no holes where the water can pass through the holes of the laces.

Keeps you warm? Yes. Our feet stayed warm after 1.5 hours of walking around and standing still.

Bonus points? Many Bogs boots have a handle in the boot, so you can easily pick them up. This is a unique system, so you can easily walk around with your boots in your hands or keep them lifted for cleaning.

Why avoid? There aren’t many downsides to the Bogs boots, but if we need to pick one, it’s the laces. Laced boots are not the easiest ones to put on and off, but if you don’t tie them too firmly, you can still put them on and off without having to tie the laces. If you don’t want laced boots, Bogs has plenty of unlaced boots in their product range.

2. The North Face Thermoball

The North Face is a well-known brand of outdoor clothing and shoes. No wonder they made it to our top 3 of best winter shoes.

But we stayed far away from the regular hiking boots or winter boots, as they’re not easy to put on and off, nor are they low in maintenance.

Instead, we went off the beaten track and got the slip-on Thermoball winter shoes .

Easy to clean? They are relatively easy to clean, but as they are water-repellant and not waterproof, you need to be careful not to rinse them with a hose. The material does not absorb dirt or water, so the shoes can be easily cleaned using a damp cloth.

Water-resistant? No, these shoes are water-repellent, not waterproof or water-resistant. However, we used the shoes for more than an hour in wet grass, and our feet stayed dry. These shoes are not meant for muddy and soaking-wet environments. The soles are rubber, making it easy to clean off chicken poop.

Keeps you warm? Yes, and no. Our feet stayed warm even after an hour and a half of outside chores. However, they aren’t boots, so the shoes don’t cover your ankles , leaving some of your legs uncovered even when wearing long trousers or leggings.

Bonus points? The North Face Thermoball can be used both inside and outside the house. So, even if you don’t want to use them inside the chicken coop, you can use them as indoor slippers or quickly put them on to catch the morning paper through the snow.

Why avoid? They don’t look like the sturdiest outdoor shoes, so if you want to use them to visit your chickens and do outside chores in winter, there are better options. Plus, they’re quite low, so they won’t cover your ankles.

3. Sorel Out N About Puffy

Sorel boots are another example of high-quality outdoor boots.

The type of boot we’ve tested is the Out ‘n About Puffy boot , a waterproof and rainproof snow boot .

They look slightly like Moon Boots but are less puffy, making them easier to wear.

The boot has 200g of insolation , making it the warmest boot on this list. The soles are washable rubber.

Easy to clean? Yes, the soles are made of rubber, making them easy to rinse off and pretty thick; the heel measures 1.5 inches (4cm). The fabric is made of waterproof nylon upper and PU-coated synthetic overlays, making it easy to wipe off with a damp cloth.

Water-resistant? Yes, the Sorel Out ‘n About Puffy is waterproof. They can be used to walk through heavy rain and snow. And because of their height, your lower legs and ankles are protected from heavy weather.

Keeps you warm? Yes. These snow boots are made to endure cold weather, containing 200g of insulation. Our feet stayed toasty warm while outside, although the temperature was around freezing.

Bonus points? The boots are incredibly soft and comfortable to wear, so they can not only be used for visiting the chicken coop but are also suited for a winter walk.

Why avoid? These boots are not the sturdiest, although they are high-quality. But they’re not working boots. If you’re looking for a boot that will endure many heavy winter chores, you might want to look for something else.

Best farm shoes in summer

Wearing heavy boots during hot summer days can be pretty frustrating, so no wonder most hobby farmers like to wear different shoes during different seasons. Depending on where you live, the need for summer farm shoes will be less or more likely.

We’ll address our Top 3 Summer Farm Shoes. If you don’t like open-toe shoes or want to see more clogs-type shoes, look at our Best Slip-On Farm Shoes list, where we discuss different types of easy-to-put-on gardening and farmers’ shoes.

All shoes on the list are water-resistant, easy to clean, and long-lasting.

Our top 3 best farm shoes in summer :

Crocs Original

• Havaianas Slide

Birkenstock Arizona Slippers

The best farm shoes – summer.

Lightweight and easy to clean

Havaianas Slide Classic

Rubber Slip-On with Textured Footbed

Lightweight and Shock Absorbing

We used our top 3 farmers’ shoes to do chores in and around the coop for several days. We’ve walked for at least 1.5 hours in the garden and the chicken coop, wearing the different shoe types.

We’ve replaced the coop bedding, replaced the waterer with some unavoidable spillage, and strolled through the chicken run. All shoes were tested for lightness, breathability, ease of cleaning, and water resistance.

1. Crocs Original

The winner of our ‘Best Summer Farm Shoe’ is the most famous brand of clogs: classic Crocs . The variety in colors and types is incredible; you’ll find a Croc shoe to your taste and preference.

The basic version is made of Croslite, a vegan material that looks like rubber or plastic, but it isn’t. The brand still uses leather in some designs, but most designs are vegan .

The style of a Croc shoe is very recognizable, making that either a pro or a con, depending on whether you like the design.

Easy to clean? Yes, Crocs can be easily hosed down for cleaning and carefully scrubbed to remove any dirt or chicken poop.

Water-resistant? As the shoe itself is made from a rubber-looking material, they are, in fact, waterproof. You can soak the shoes in water and quickly dry them off with a towel or let them dry naturally. But your feet won’t stay dry! Crocs shoes aren’t closed shoes; it’s best not to wear them with socks on rainy days, as they will get wet.

Light to wear? Yes, Crocs are fairly light-weighted shoes. One size 4.5 woman crocs, as shown in the photo, weighs 4.5 oz (128 gr). This makes them very comfortable and light to wear even in warm summers.

Bonus points? Crocs are such a well-known and major brand you’ll have plenty of shoe types and colors to choose from, but the style is easily recognizable. This can be a pro or a con, depending on whether you like their design.

Why avoid? Crocs are not made to fit your feet; they’re quite loose. This makes it easy to put them on and off, but it can be a disadvantage when doing heavy chores. Crocs aren’t the type of shoes to wear all day, especially when working outside, as you’ll prefer firmly fitted shoes for heavier chores.

2. Havaianas Slide

One of the most famous brands of slippers is Havaianas. It’s a quality brand of beach and bath slippers.

For this test, we ordered the Havaianas Slide Bath slippers, which are supposed to be comfortable to wear inside and outside the house due to their wide strap design. The Havaianas Slide can even be worn with socks, unlike flip-flops.

Havaianas Slide slippers are made of PVC (for the straps) and rubber (for the outsole) , making them easy to clean. The soles are non-slip and handy in a slippery environment like a chicken coop.

Easy to clean? Yes, as Havaianas Slide slippers are made from PVC and rubber, they can be easily rinsed and dried off with a towel.

Water-resistant? They are made initially as bath slippers, so they are waterproof. But as they are slippers, your feet will get wet when putting them on in the rain.

Light to wear? No, the Havaianas Slide slippers are the heaviest slippers on our list. One slipper size 11 1/2, like the one in the photo, weighs over 10 oz (288gr). They are comfortable, but the weight of the slipper is noticeable when wearing it for a more extended period, especially when walking.

Bonus points? There are many designs to choose from, both for women and men. So, you’ll find something that suits your taste. The design looks fashionable and versatile, and the wide straps make them comfortable.

Why avoid? As they are excellent ‘quick run to the chicken coop’ shoes, they aren’t suited as gardening shoes or for doing chores.

3. Birkenstock Arizona Slippers

Another famous footwear brand is Birkenstock. They take great pride in the design of the footbed, included in all Birkenstock models.

The Arizona line has easy-to-slip-on slippers that can be worn with or without socks . To use inside the chicken coop, we’ve ordered the washable and waterproof Arizona bath slipper .

The slipper is made from one-piece EVA, an ultra-light synthetic material , with the recognizable Birkenstock footbed for more comfort.

Easy to clean? Yes, as this slipper is made from a synthetic material, it’s washable and easy to clean.

Water-resistant? Yes, the Birkenstock Arizona bath slipper is waterproof, meaning you can easily clean it, and it won’t get as dirty as regular Birkenstock slippers. But they are slippers, so your feet won’t stay dry in them!

Light to wear? Yes. These are the lightest slippers of our test. One size 11 1/2 (45) slipper weighs 4.8 oz (138gr), making them incredibly lightweight and easy to wear.

Bonus points? The slipper is designed with the recognizable Birkenstock footbed, making it very comfortable to wear. The straps are adjustable to make it fit your feet, and the slipper is extremely lightweight.

Why avoid? They are not the best farm shoes to do some work or chores in the backyard, only suitable for a quick run to the chicken coop.

Best Farm Shoes For Rain or Mud

Many gardens, ranches, or homesteads turn into mud pools during fall and winter. A quick visit to the chicken coop can become an annoying task with wet feet or toes.

For rainy and damp environments, we’ve created a list of farm shoes suitable to wear in the rain or mud. All shoes in this list can be easily cleaned or hosed down, don’t collect too much dirt under the soles, and are durable.

Our Top 3 Farm shoes suitable for rain or mud .

• Hunter Original Short Vegan boot

Dunlop Rain Boot

Ugg drizlita rain boot, the best farm shoes – mud & rain.

Hunter Original Short Vegan Boot

Stylish Rain Boot

Rubber Rain Boot

Rubber Rain Boot with Sheep Fur

How did we test

We waited until it rained a couple of days in a row to do this test, so the chicken run and the garden were moist and muddy .

We tested the boots during heavy rain and went outside to do some chores. We stayed out for at least an hour per rain boot type. Temperatures were around 45 degrees F (7°C) .

During that time, we did some chores in the garden, rearranged the chicken coop, changed the feeders and waterers, and tried to catch the chickens for a short health inspection.

When wearing the boots, they were tested for anti-slip, comfort, and warm or cold feet.

All boots on the list are high-quality, waterproof rain boots. Let’s find out the pros and cons of our top 3 best farm boots suitable for rain and mud.

1. Hunter Original Short Vegan Boot

The Hunter Original Rain boot is the best shoe to wear in muddy and wet environments. Hunter is one of the big brands of rain and outdoor boots.

They’re known as sturdy and long-lasting shoes without compromising style. Most Hunter shoes are vegan.

We ordered the ‘original’ Wellington short vegan boots , a line of attractive natural rubber boots. They look like ‘ordinary’ rubber boots but with a twist.

Easy to clean? Yes, these natural rubber boots are effortless to clean. Just hose them and let them dry naturally.

Water-resistant? Yes. These Hunter rain boots are 100% waterproof. But as they are short boots, they don’t cover your legs as long rain boots would. Hunter does, however, have high boots in its product range.

Anti-slip? Yes, the Hunter rain boots soles are ribbed and will ensure you stay on both feet inside the chicken coop. They fit firmly around your feet without being too tight.

Bonus points? All Hunter boots have a nice design; some look retro. If you don’t like short boots, Hunter has a wide range of high, short, and/or insulated boots or warm boot socks in various colors to suit any taste and preference.

Why avoid? The boots we ordered lack insulation, making them less suitable for colder weather. But Hunter has plenty of insulated boots available. Secondly, the price is relatively high for rain boots, but these boots are made to last a lifetime.

2. Dunlop Rain Boot

Dunlop is one of the best-known brands for rain boots, so it couldn’t be left off our list. There are plenty of types and varieties to choose from, all in the same known design and shoe sole pattern. We went back to basics and purchased the most simple kind. The Dunlop Dull&Rapido is a PVC and rubber rain boot that looks exactly like what you would expect of a rain boot.

Easy to clean? Yes, all Dunlop rain boots can easily be hosed and scrubbed for heavier dirt. Although the sole pattern is pretty ribbed, the dirt comes off easily by using hot water immediately after using the boots.

Water-resistant? Yes, Dunlop rain boots are waterproof and designed to wear in wet circumstances.

Anti-slip? Yes, because the boot’s soles are heavily ribbed, they ensure you stay on both feet in muddy environments.

Bonus points? The price. Dunlop rain boots are not expensive if you’re looking for the basic types. You get great value for your money!

Why avoid? The boots we bought were 1/2 size bigger than I usually wear, but still, the boot shaft was too narrow. Check the measurements before you buy. Secondly, they are not warm boots to wear in winter.

3. Ugg Drizlita Rain Boot

Another example of a well-known brand of outdoor boots is Ugg. Although they gained popularity with fancy snow boots, the brand has also expanded its view to rain boots. We’ve tested the Ugg Drizlita. A waterproof rain boot with an inner sheepskin insole. Ugg products are not vegan as they contain real fur from lambs or sheep. The rain boot has many fun color varieties; we chose a bright yellow!

Easy to clean? Yes, and no, these Ugg rain boots are easy to clean; you can hose them after use. However, the soles have a narrow striped notch, making it more challenging to get all the dirt out.

Water-resistant? Yes, all Ugg rain boots are made from synthetic material, making them suitable for heavy showers and snow. The boots are very short, so your legs won’t stay dry.

Anti-slip? We didn’t find the boots extremely slippery, but the soles are not as ribbed as the other rain boots on this list. Be careful the first time you try them out.

Bonus points? The insole is lined in a soft sheepskin, making the boot warm in winter but not as warm as their signature snow boots. Because of the fur, walking in these boots is extremely comfortable.

Why avoid? The soles aren’t easy to get all dirt and chicken poop out of because of their narrow-lined notch. And because the brand uses sheep skin, the boots aren’t vegan.

Going to the chicken coop for a quick visit is so much easier with slip-on shoes. There is no need to get tangled up in tying your shoelaces before heading out to your birds.

All shoes in our list are easy to put on and off and can be worn with or without socks; therefore, they are suitable for colder and warmer temperatures .

Garden clogs are our best buy for winter and summer as they are available in both plain rubber and a padded version.

They’re an absolute favorite among chicken keepers. They’re easy to maintain, slip on, and waterproof.

Clogs and mules are available in winter and summer versions, or you can use one type all year round. You can easily hose them down or wash them if they get dirty.

Our Top 3 best slip-on farm shoes:

• Birkenstock Super-Birki Mule
• Clootess Arch Fit
• Hunter In/Out Insulated Slipper

The Best Farm Shoes – Slip-On

Birkenstock Super-Birki

Rubber Garden Clogs With Shaped Footbed

Clootess Arch-Fit Garden Clogs

Orthopedic Pillowded Clogs

Hunter Play Clog

Rubber Clogs in Fun Colors

We tested three slip-on garden shoes we can use inside the chicken coop. They were tested on ease of putting on and off, comfort, staying firmly on your feet, and ease of cleaning.

The shoes were worn in the backyard, doing some garden chores and inside the chicken coop while cleaning the coop, changing the feeder and waterer, and scooping up chicken poop.

All shoes were worn for at least an hour, both with and without socks. The weather was damp but dry; temperatures were around 50 degrees F (10°C).

1. Birkenstock Super-Birki Mule

Another famous brand we already discussed is Birkenstock.

They take great pride in the design of the footbed , included in all Birkenstock models, even the garden mules.

We ordered the Super-Birki mules , an all-around clog made from polyurethane . The clog is not only water-resistant but also dirt-repellant and oil and grease-resistant.

Plus side is that these clogs are machine washable up to 60°C . The footbed is removable and can be machine washed up to 30°C. These types of clogs can be used in various professional and private environments, such as in the garden, but also inside a professional kitchen or a medical setting.

Easy to clean? Yes. The footbed is removable, so you can easily hose the clog with water. Both the clog itself and the footbed are machine washable—the clog at 60°C and the footbed at 30°C.

Fits on feet? It’s a clog, so the shoe is loose around the foot. However, they are easy to walk with and will stay on the entire time.

Comfortable? They are comfortable if you are a fan of the typically molded footbed found in all Birkenstock shoes. But not all people are immediately fond of the design, and it may take some time to get used to. The material isn’t too hard; it doesn’t hurt the feet.

Bonus points? The design is available in multiple colors, ranging from black to red and bright green or yellow. This makes the shoe more trendy and modern.

Why avoid? You will not like this shoe if you don’t like the typical garden clog design. People with high feet won’t like the feel of the hard material of the clog.

2. Clootess Arch Fit Clog

We chose mules from the Clootess ‘Arch Fit’ collection, a shoe type with a supportive cushioning insole system. The cushioning should make walking more comfortable and give more support.

The clog itself looks a bit like Crocs, but they are very different shoes. The main difference is found in the design of the footbed .

The footbed will adjust to your feet’ shape to reduce shock and increase weight dispersion. The clog is made from EVA, an ultra-light synthetic material , making the shoe vegan.

Easy to clean? Yes. The Clootess Arch Fit Clogs can be easily rinsed and let dry in the open air, but out of the sun. They are also machine washable, on hand wash. Please don’t put them in the dryer.

Fits on feet? They are narrower than the Crocs, so they are a better fit in our case. But for people with wide feet, this can be a downside.

Comfortable? Yes. The clogs are pretty comfortable to wear due to the footbed. Although the shoe was the right size, the heel strap was useless and didn’t touch the foot.

Bonus points? The footbed molds into your foot, making it a very comfortable clog. It feels extremely light to wear and seems like you’re walking on clouds.

Why avoid? You won’t like this design if you don’t like the Crocs-type look. However, the Clootess clog looks very different from the Crocs once you compare the two side-by-side.

3. Hunter Insulated Slipper/Clog

Our second Hunter shoe on our list is a slip-on model. These shoes are available in both a insulated slipper as well as clog model. The clogs are waterproof, the slippers are water-resistant.

The slippers differ from the usual clogs because they are insulated, softer, and can be used both inside and outside the house.

Where the regular clogs are made from natural rubber , the insulated clogs are produced from recycled nylon .

This makes the slippers more comfortable to wear than rubber clogs, but this is more a matter of personal preference.

Easy to clean? Yes and no. The Hunter In/Out Insulated Slipper can only be cleaned using a damp cloth. The clogs are rubber, so waterproof.

Fits on feet? Yes. The slipper fits around the feet perfectly, and an elasticated channel along the topline is provided to make the shoe a great fit. You can wear them with the heel folded down, as slippers, or with the heel covered, like a shoe.

Comfortable? Yes. The shoe is made from recycled nylon and insulated, so it feels warm, comfortable, and soft the entire time. They do, however, feel more like inside shoes than garden mules.

Bonus points? The inside is lined with fleece, making them feel incredibly soft. The slippers are also lightweight, making them very comfortable to wear.

Why avoid? They look and feel more like indoor shoes, making it weird to wear them outside the house and inside the chicken coop. But the soles are pretty thick, so they are definitely suited for wearing outside and quickly cleaned.

Why wear different shoes inside the chicken coop?

Simply said, to create a bio-safety zone . A chicken coop and run is filled with chicken poop and spilled feed and can be an unclean environment.

Not only are your chickens inside the run, but chances are, you’ll also get visitors like rats, mice, or wild birds that poop and spill feed. If you don’t want to bring feces or mud into the house, you better change shoes every time you go out to the coop.

Next to hygienic reasons, using the same shoes inside the coop and in other places can be dangerous.

You can be spreading all kinds of diseases like Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease to your own or other people’s chickens and animals.

To ensure biosecurity inside the house and chicken coop, it’s best to always switch to ‘chicken coop shoes’ that are only worn for that particular purpose.

The editorial team consists of 3rd generation chicken owners Kat, journalist, editor-in-chief, and Nick, working with illustrators and specialists in the field.

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A Guide to Recognizing and Treating Chicken Foot Problems

Diagnosing leg mites, gout, and bumblefoot in chickens.

The scaly leg mite ( Knemidocoptes  mutans ) is a pale gray, round, tiny chicken parasite , only about 1/100 inch in diameter. It is more likely to attack older birds, but can also affect young chickens kept with old birds. It burrows under the scales on a chicken’s shanks and feet, raising the scales by generating debris that accumulates beneath them. As a result, the shanks thicken and crust over and eventually become deformed.

Scaly leg mites spread slowly by traveling from bird to bird along the roost. This chicken foot problem may be controlled by brushing perches once a month with a mixture of one part kerosene to two parts linseed oil (not motor oil, please), or twice a month with an old-time natural poultry product called VetRx veterinary remedy, which has a corn oil base.

Once scaly leg mites settle in, they burrow deeply under the leg scales and spend their entire lives on the chicken, so you’ll have a hard time getting rid of them. Every poultry keeper, it seems, has a favorite method for these chicken foot problems. One such method is to use the drug ivermectin, which is not approved for chickens but is widely used to control both internal and external parasites. Chicken keepers who regularly use ivermectin to control leg mites and other external parasites find that internal parasites eventually become resistant to it.

Other methods involve physically smothering the mites by dipping affected legs in vegetable oil, linseed oil, or VetRx. Repeat the treatment every three days for a mild infection, daily for a severe infestation. Less messy than using drippy oil is to liberally coat the shanks and feet with petroleum jelly (Vaseline), which stays on longer than oil and therefore needs to be repeated only about once a week. Continue treatment until the old scales pop off and the shanks appear normal, indicating the legs are completely free of mites, although don’t expect severely damaged scales to return to normal.

A common bacterial infection, especially among heavy breeds, is an abscess in the foot pad, resulting in lameness. This chicken foot problem is known as bumblefoot , from the old British word bumble, meaning to walk unsteadily. Today the abscess core is sometimes referred to as a bumble.

An abscess may originate from such things as scratching in hard or rocky soil, jumping down from a too-high perch onto packed or splintery bedding, or spending too much time standing or walking on concrete or hardware cloth. As a result, the foot pad develops a bruise or cut, allowing staph bacteria to enter.

The occasional bumblefoot may be the result of an accident, much as a person might get a splinter. The frequent appearance of bumblefoot in a flock is a clear signal that management changes are in order. Usually, the first sign is that the chicken is reluctant to walk, and limps when it does walk. The chicken’s foot may look swollen and feel hot. At the bottom of the foot will be a callus-like lump, which may be either soft (if the infection is recent) or hard (if it’s been going on for some time) and covered with a black scab.

If the infection has not progressed far, cleaning the foot, injecting the abscess with a suitable antibiotic, and moving the bird to a clean environment may be all that’s needed. If the abscess has progressed to the hard, scabby stage, it won’t go away unless the core is removed. You may get lucky and find a veterinarian willing to perform this surgery, but most likely you’ll have to do it yourself.

First, soften the abscess by standing the chicken in warm water for about 10 minutes, gently massaging the foot to rinse off any clinging dirt. Epsom salts dissolved in the water will reduce inflammation and help sooth the foot. Avoid letting the chicken drink the water, as it will contain bacteria; also, if Epsom salts have been added, they are a laxative.

After a good soaking, the softened scab should pull off easily, along with some of the abscess’s yellowish, cheesy or waxy core. Once the scab has been removed, press the skin out at the sides of the abscess (don’t squeeze) to encourage more of the core to come out. Use tweezers to pull out as much as you can. If the abscess is large and hard, you may need the assistance of a sharp knife, such as a surgeon’s scalpel or an X-Acto knife, to scrape or peel it out. Repeat the soaking and core scraping as needed, working gently and taking your time until the abscess has been thoroughly cleaned.

Rinse out the abscess with Betadine, saline wound wash, or sodium hypochlorite (Dakin’s Solution). After the abscess has been cleaned out, pack it with an antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin. Cover the foot with a gauze pad, secured with first-aid tape or thin strips of vet wrap, taking care not to make the wrap too tight.

Repeat this procedure every two or three days while the abscess heals. Meanwhile, house the chicken in a warm, safe, clean environment with plenty of water and adequate nutrition.

Could It Be Gout?

Gout is not a specific disease, but rather a sign of serious kidney dysfunction. It is a complex form of arthritis in which urate crystals accumulate in the joints, causing inflammation in the hock and foot joints. The resulting swelling, deformity, and sores may be mistaken for other chicken foot problems such as bumblefoot or a severe case of scaly leg mite.

Bumblefoot differs from gout in occurring as a single sore at the bottom of the foot (occasionally with lesser sores under or between toes) and usually affects only one foot, while gout typically affects both. Scaly leg differs from gout in resulting from deposits under individual scales, rather than around joints under the skin. Unlike both bumblefoot and scaly leg, gout has no sure cure. But you can take measures to prevent this chicken foot problem and to make an affected bird more comfortable.

Gout in chickens takes one of two forms — articular or visceral. Articular gout may result from a genetic defect that causes the kidneys to function improperly,  but may also be triggered by a diet that is too high in protein. It is more common in cocks than in hens, generally doesn’t appear in birds until they are at least 4 months old, and usually affects individuals rather than an entire flock.

The usual sign is swollen joints of the feet and toes, resulting in lameness and shifting of the weight from leg to leg to relieve discomfort. Because of the swelling, the bird is unable to bend its toes. The feet may redden and blister, and the blisters may develop into sores. Because walking is painful, the bird may spend a lot of time sitting in one place, grooming excessively.

Since articular gout makes walking and perching uncomfortable, installing wide roosts and keeping the bird’s toenails clipped both help reduce discomfort. A chicken that doesn’t want to walk may need to be encouraged to spend time outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air.

Visceral gout is more common than articular gout and affects both hens and cocks. It has many causes including water deprivation; excess dietary protein; moldy feed; high-calcium layer ration fed to growing pullets; electrolyte excess or deficiency; prolonged use of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda in drinking water to relieve heat stress); kidney-affecting diseases, such as infectious bronchitis and intestinal cryptosporidiosis; exposure to toxic chemicals, including cleaning products; overuse of antibiotics, particularly gentamicin and related aminoglycosides, and sulfa drugs. Either tumors or kidney stones can obstruct the ureters, causing urates to accumulate in the kidneys and other organs.

Although visceral gout does not always cause swelling of the feet and toes, when it does, it can be difficult to distinguish from articular gout. However, unlike articular gout, which affects the joints, visceral gout involves internal organs and gradually progresses into kidney failure and death.

Neither form of gout has a known cure. A veterinarian may recommend a urine acidifier, such as ammonium chloride (commonly used to prevent urinary stones in male goats) or DL-methionine (a common ingredient in commercially prepared non-organic poultry feeds). Natural sources of the amino acid methionine include fish meal and oilseed meal such as safflower, sesame, or sunflower meal. Adding apple cider vinegar for chickens ‘ drinking water is not helpful as an acidifier — because the chicken’s natural stomach acid is much more acidic than vinegar — but it does make the water taste better to chickens and thus encourages drinking.

Encouraging water intake flushes the bird’s system with moisture, increasing the amount of urates expelled and reducing the amount retained in the body. To encourage an affected bird to increase its moisture intake, change the drinking water often, furnish warm water in winter and cool water in summer, and offer moisture-laden fruit and vegetable treats such as fresh sprouts, bits of apple, or slices of watermelon.

Have you dealt with chicken foot problems? How did you treat them?

Gail Damerow is the author of The Chicken Health Handbook and several  other books on poultry keeping.

Originally published in Backyard Poultry February/March 2015 and regularly vetted for accuracy.

43 thoughts on “A Guide to Recognizing and Treating Chicken Foot Problems”

Hi I have a 5 day old chick and it’s foot is all floppy and doesn’t walk on it flat ,what could it be ? I’ve tried massaging it be she walks on it like it’s on its side is there anything I can do to get it right Thanks martin

One of my chickens is walking on her elbows (dont knkw the chicken term for it lol) and laying down a lot. We have her separated from the other chickens for now. They are 3 or 4 months of age. Not laying eggs as of yet. Her feet do look a bit swollen. Buy shes still eating and moving her head around just fine. Not favoring either leg more than the other. Any suggestions as to what it could be?

Hi Victoria, have you inspected the bottoms of her feet to see if there are any injuries or round scabs? Are the scales on her legs raised? It sounds like something happened to her feet, but if you can see any other signs or injuries, that would help decide what to do next.

I have not actually looked at the bottums but I didnt feel anything abnormal they do look a bit swollen. But from what I can tell no obvious injuries that i know of

That means she may have mites or lice. It also depends on the kind of climate you live in. look at your chickens feathers, and if you see anything crawling, she is more likely to have mites or lice.

Sometimes a chick can hatch without being able to stand. If it is what I have had before in a couple of chicks, I fixed it in a sock overnight, and that seemed to make it able to stand. I did do this soon after it had hatched, but maybe if you tried something like it it would work.

We just had achick hatch like this. Only abnormality is short outside toes. Other than that it moves around just doesn’t stand. How did u fix this?

I had a rooster doing this and I started putting vitamins in their water and he start walking normal in a couple of days

My chickens leg got tangled very tightly for a day and leg is swollen to the point it’s lightly bleeding. I soaked leg with warm water and Epsom salt. After, I layed her belly up to relief pressure from leg and put drops of oxygen peroxide to the inflammation area. What else can I do?

I’ve one month old chicks they’re all good before but now I’ve noticed there elbows are sollen and some of them walk like they can’t lift there body weight and can’t stand properly as other chicks. I massaged there legs but it didn’t work. What else can I do do?

Hey can you help me in swallon joint leg of my 4 months old roaster cause by cat in attempt to hunt down. I save him, there are few wounds that I manage to cure but the swallon joint is seems to be nervous for him although there is no wound on joint. But it is swallow like air around joint. Please help me what I do.

Hi Hammad, if there are no visible wounds, then your best protocol would be to put the rooster in an area where he can rest while still being able to conduct his healthy activities. This would probably be a small, enclosed area where he doesn’t have to worry about cats or other roosters, but where he can eat, drink, dustbathe, and peck normally. The swelling should go down soon. Good luck!

i have treated my chicken for scaly leg mites. it was a severe case and after soaking in soapy water and applying oil and vaseline a few times all the scales fell off leaving the skin exposed. the chicken will still not stand on both feet at the same time. will anything help regrow scales?

Good say. I want to treat my Silkie for early onset of bumblefoot. How do I wrap the feet with all these hard foot feathers all over the place? Do I cut them off or pluck them out? Which option will ensure no pain and no bleeding? Many thanks.

Hi Terrijeanne, I’m sorry to hear about your Silkie. If the feathers are getting in the way and introducing bacteria into the freshly cleaned wound, then I would certainly trim them. Plucking would cause even more pain, so just trim them with scissors. The feather shaft close to the skin can be vascular and actually bleed, so keep styptic powder or cornstarch handy in case that happens, or just rim the softer barbs. Good luck, and I hope your chicken heals.

I have a chicken with what seems to be a wonky toe. It seemed to have appeared over night, I suspected an early case of bumblefoot so I treated for that with warm water & epsom salts, then a flush, silver ointment and gauze and vet wrap. Initially it improved, then it stopped improving so I stopped with the treatments. She has no pain walking or when I feel it, but it looks crooked now. Any idea of what it could be or could have been that would leave such remnants?

Hi Alexa, it could be that she broke the toe, perhaps from fighting or catching it in something. If the foot hasn’t swollen, you don’t see a sore or scab, and she doesn’t appear to be in pain, then it will probably just be a crooked toe for the rest of her life.

I have a chicken whom I believe to be 3 years old and has had no health problems beforehand that I know of. She has been holding her foot up for the past few days and there is this spot on her foot where it’s like on her toe joint thing and it looks to be little bit swollen. It appeared right after we put our roosters upstairs with our hens because apparently the roosters like the cold and decided not to go upstairs. Some of our hens are also acting a little on edge and there is one who like is losing her back feathers and such. There was also a small flock of wild birds that decided that they would hide from the weather in the chicken coop so they could have also caused it. I would like to know what I should do about this predicament.

Hi Anna, I recommend looking at that sore spot to see if there’s a scab. If so, proceed with bumblefoot treatment to remove the infection. This story has a great tutorial on the procedure. Good luck!

My rooster has a swollen foot, but it’s only his pad, and there are no marks of any kind. I have done epsom salt soaks for two days. Asking for any suggestions on what to do?

Did you ever find out what was wrong with your Rooster? I’m having the same problem. Thank you!

My 2 wk old chick has an appendage toe coming out of her elbow she walks fine but it’s very long. Can I remove it how to fix it

Hi thank you for your wonderful page. I am hoping you can help me. My chicken has a swollen foot. She has no problem walking on it and is completely happy. Her other foot is fine. Her foot doesn’t have a scab on it. Her foot is hot. I took her to the vet but they don’t know what is wrong with her. I don’t know what to do to help her as it doesn’t appear to be any of the issues listed. If you could help that would be amazing. Many thanks.

Why does my chickens legs get swollen a little red on both. Hes my pet and he doesn’t like to go outside much he stays in the bed with me alit. He’s an older chicken he’s eats and drinks fine. Do I put lotin or oil to get the swollen down???

My cornish cross rooster super sweet has a swollen pad but no sign of anything else. No cuts,, redness or hardness. Not sure what to do. It has gotten so he doesn’t want to walk on it. Any thoughts??

Our Rooster Ringo had a swollen leg and foot,found a large bumble. Was able to remove the bumble an it healed. The foot and leg is still swollen and a wound has opened up between a toe that we can not seem to heal, keep cleaned, using triple antibiotic, wrap in gauze and coban. Any other suggestions hate to see him suffer he is such a good rooster. Please advise.

Hi. My rooster is 8yrs old and his leg seems swollen all of a sudden. Doesn’t look like bumblefoot. Can anyone advise please.

Hi, my 2 year old rooster is acting a bit strange. He stumbles a lot, looses his balance easily. He’s eating and drinking fine. He also has not crowed for a week or two. He also appears to be molting. His feet look fine but do have a few small black spots on them. I hope you can help.

Hey there, I’m no professional by any means however the black spots you are describing sounds like bumbble foot to me one of my hens had it not to long ago.

Hi, I have two hens around two and a half years old and some of there toes are turning black and falling off, it’s not cold enough outside for frostbite to occur and they have a great set up.I am not getting answers anywhere and am very concerned.The one hen has already lost two toes and the other has many black toes that I’m sure will soon fall off, I also feel that I should mention that one of them had bumble foot not to long ago however it was successfully treated so I don’t think that it’s related.

Hi my 1 yr old chicken Lydia went missing for 2.5 days. She was wedged behind a bag of mulch against the house. She is eating drinking and pooping but having trouble roosting. She is in a dog crate with Pedialyte dosed water and food. Hungry and drinking. Talking up a storm. How can I help strengthen her feet?

My hens have something wrong with their feet. I have two that are up off the ground that have been walking with a limp. Now they seem to be better. Today I went out to feed, water and check on them. The one that is on the ground has severely swollen joints on her feet. Between her toes it looks like translucent yellow blisters(the size of a penny). She is limping and you can tell she is in pain because she sits quietly with her head down like she is sleeping. What can I do and are their eggs ok for use?

I have new chicks and was given one (for free) that does not have a food and walks on her elbow…it seems sore and the other chicks are pecking at it…what should i do? They had her seperated but she was lonely and you could see she needed a companion.

I have a Brahma hen who got up on a perch and when she attempted to come down, slipped on the hay covering the vinyl flooring in the coop and has not been able to use her leg since. (I have since made the hay much deeper so it won’t slide) No visible wounds, no swelling, just unable to bear weight or move her claws on that foot. I have quarantined her for about 5 days with no improvement this far… Any advice?

Hi! My rooster (Brownie) has been suffering from chronic Bumblefoot for 2 to 3 years (he’s 4 years old) and recently, though his Bumblefoot had gotten much better by several treatments, his legs have started shivering and he sits down a lot. I don’t know if this is nerve damage or what and there’s no vet in my area who can help me. They don’t know anything about chickens. I’ve done all his treatments by myself by learning on the internet and taking help from other chicken keepers. He otherwise eats well and drinks water. I give him multivitamins 2 or 3 times every week and someone told me to start seashell grit so that he gets more calcium.

Please please help me if you can. Brownie is full of life and enjoys dust bathing and I really want his to become all better so that he can start running again.

My 2 yr old hen has progressively stopped being able to walk, her feet look almost atrophied. She is using her elbows to move… at first I thought she was clucky but realised she is just having trouble moving around. She is very willing to eat and drink and has laid two eggs this week. Her schools are sloppy and had clumped underwear. I’ve washed and cleaned her, she looks bright enough but obviously not well at all. Any suggestions?

Hi, we have a small mille fleur duccle rooster that hurt his leg a little over a month ago. We isolated him right away and waited to see. It didn’t start getting better in a few weeks so we took him to the vet. They have him antibiotics and pain meds. They said it wasn’t a fracture or break but it could be a sprain and just take a while to heal. He gets around by hobbling and does pretty well. I take him out a few times a day so he can get a little outside time since he’s cooped up in our garage for now. The one leg I’ve noticed does feel warmer than the other leg and when you touch it or mess with it at all he doesn’t seem to feel it. Should we take him back to the vet to see if he needs more antibiotics or something else?

I have noticed some of my birds have diarrhea. I have noticed a little blood a couple of times also. I can’t seem to figure out which one it is. They all appear to be healthy. Is this something I should worry about? The diarrhea and blood I have just noticed the last couple of days. Is there anything I can give to help with this?

My cockerel has a whiteish yellow crust around his ankle and he is sneezing a lot what to do??

I have an 11 month old sussex hen who has swelling on either side of her middle toe at the joint that meets her other toes. Initially I treated it like bumble foot as there was a tiny scab underneath on foot pad but that doesn’t seem to be the problem. She is still laying daily and eating, drinking and pooping normally. Yet she is limping slightly and often when standing still will hold this foot up off the ground.

Hi. I have an older hen whose middle toe has turned in. She can still walk on it and run. Should I get this checked out?

My niece has a cockerel whose feet are getting red and sore looking. Any ideas. The feathers come low down the feet and in between the toes and very red.

What is the name of the antibiotic and where can I purchase it? My girl has a swollen pad that I believe is bumblefoot. I have been soaking it in warm water with epsom salt and putting Neosporin on it and wrapping it, but, it’s still swollen.

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