I would not recommend using water as tap water can have bacteria in it that can reinfect the wound. The BEST thing to use is Sterile Saline Solution. Nothing beats that for flushing an open wound on any living creature because it is disinfecting, cleaning, and 100% sterile and natural. No animal or human will ever have a reaction to sterile saline. It is the best thing for cleaning wounds as it serves all purposes and there is no risk of damage to healthy cells or infection. You can even use contact solution or make your own saline sense it is basically glorified salt water. Approx 4 table spoons of salt per quart is what I and my local vet use in a pinch.
I had a horse of mine tear a flap of skin of the back of his flexor tendon. The tendon was exposed and the flap hung down about 2 inches. I cleaned twice daily with Sterile Saline Solution ONLY (no antibiotic or anything like such. Just saline.) and wrapped the wound with a extra large band aid pad so the flap was in place. Despite even my vet saying that he would lose the flap and be left with a permanent large scar I managed to heal it completely without losing any of the flap and you can not see the scar as it is small an covered by above hair. He had no infection, no healthy tissue loss, and no reactions. I will never clean a different way again. You can use antibiotic ointment but I did not use anything but saline on the horse as the lower extremities on equines often develop proud flesh when other things are used. Ointment wont do this to a bird.
