Hen injury

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NeeCee51

NeeCee51

Chirping
6 Years
Aug 12, 2013
204
7
99
I found one of my hens under a bunch of branches in the grove and upon looking her over this is what I found. I have cleaned it but as you can see her skin is torn back. No maggots or smell and she is eating and drinking well, I gave her electrolytes and scrambled eggs. She is in my basement in a dog cage and I plan to keep her there. Any advise would be appreciated. I also sprayed vetercyn on her. Thanks
 
I would try to clean it up a little more tomorrow with some Betadine and water or chlorhexadrene and water. The blackened area needs to be debrided or scrubbed gently. The Vetericyn then would be good to apply, or an antibiotic ointment. The tissue should start to granulate in gradually over a couple of weeks, and feathers will grow in. Watch for a bad odor, redness, or runny drainage that may be signs of infection? You may notice green bruising around the injury that would be normal. Make sure that she does not get floes in her wound. If you could bring her out with the others in a day or two to free range with your supervision , it might make it easier to reintegrate her after she heals. Cover the wound with gauze or make a little t-shirt to cover it.
 
Thank you so much..I have been using baking soda in water and have been trying to get that area clean as possible. No odor yet hopefully it won't happen. I have a new bottle of Vetericyn and have been spraying it after cleaning. Poor baby fell asleep in my lap and started to purr. I was wondering about betadine. I am glad it's ok to use it. Thanks again.... Is there a good ratio to use with the betadine to water?
 
Last edited:
Just an update....I took her out to free range with the others and two roosters attacked her right away. When I first put her down in the grass she went to the run, went up in the coop and into one of the nesting boxes. I'm not sure if she wants to lay an egg or what. One of the other hens came in to a nest and the injured one got scared and flew out of the nest and that's when the roosters got to her. She is fine, didn't get hurt but I'm afraid they won't accept her very fast. Do you think I should check her for egg bound? I'm just running things through my head that could be wrong after the attack. She seems to be healing well but still not ready to be with the others. She has not laid an egg since the attack and from what I understand that's normal. I was hoping since she went into the nest she might lay one. I would be so happy!!! Thanks for all your help..
 
I don
t think I can be much help. Could you lock the rest out and let her have peace and quiet in the nest box area for a few hours a day? Beyond that, you may need to go through the whole introduction protocol . I'm a huge fan of a squirt bottle to make aggressive or undesirable behavior distasteful to my chickens. I'm glad she's healing and sure hope she can get back to her normal chicken things.
 
I am going to try that tomorrow. The other hens usually lay later in the day. I just feel so bad for her. I am going to get rid of the three younger roosters. The place I got them will take them for stud service in trade for four hens of my choice. They are getting really hard on the hens I have had for a long time. Thanks so much for your input.
 
Update on my poor hen. She is healing nicely, still has a small flap that just refuses to go away but other than that she is doing pretty good.. I am concerned about her poop. Since the attack she has been pooping green and it's a little runny. Still not laying eggs but I am not concerned about that. I have checked her breathing and eyes and they look good. She has not lost her place in the pecking order, took her out today and rooster came over and wanted to share his food with her. So that's good...I did put probiotics in her water today. I am just worried about the green poop..Any information would really be appreciated..
 
It's good to hear that she is recovering. Green droppings are usually a sign of not eating much. Can you try giving her some feed with some raw egg and buttermilk mixed in? Chopped tuna is also good.
 
That's great to know. I will try tuna...I gave her a little watermelon and she went right for that. This morning her poop was more formed so maybe things are getting back to normal. Thanks so much for your help..I still feel like such a new-bee at this and I have had chickens for about two years. I have been very lucky so far not to have anything serious happen. Thanks again!!!
 

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