How to clean a wound?

[Anna_MN]

I have a Colombian Wyandotte hen that tried squaring off with a Cuckoo Maran rooster the other night. I didn't notice anything wrong and then this morning I noticed some dry blood on the back of her head. It's not deep by any means, but it does cover a wide surface area. She is acting perfectly fine- eating, drinking, pooping, laying eggs, scratching around. So what I'm wondering is- how do I keep her wound clean? She lets me pick her up and touch it so that won't be the problem.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Soak a warm washcloth, then try to soak the dry blood off. Apply some Neosporin (Just a dab), then add a product like "Blu-Kote" on top of the Neosporin. This will keep the other hens from picking at her head.

Good Luck

 

[Marty1876]

I agree with JG, except I'd probobly dab it with hydrogen peroxide after the wash, and before the neosporin.

I'm sure he'll be better soon. Roos sure can get themselves into some mischeif can't they!

 

[trifecta]

I would use mild soap/water, neosporin, and something for fly control (around the wound, not on it). Peroxide is very drying/damaging to tissue and is best only used to clean off blood around the wound, not actually on it.

I bet it will heal up in a jiffy.

 

[Anna_MN]

Thanks for all your help! I'll be going out now to clean her up. I'll report back with the results...

 

[Anna_MN]

Patsy sat nice and still for me and let me clean everything out. It was bigger than what I thought. I cleaned it out with warm soapy water, washed it again with warm water, patted it dry and put vaseline on it. She's in a different pen than the rest of the chickens now and is resting and eating her cob of sweet corn

 

[growyourbrew]

We normally wash with peroxide then put neosporn. If it's bad, you might need to separate her from the others while she heals. When you reintroduce her, it's best to keep them separated but such that the other hens can see each other so that they get used to each other

 

[terryg]

I also think that peroxide is harsh. A gentle wash will do. I really like povidone, which is a potent broad-sprectrum bactericide. For mild injuries blu-kote is great. For severe injuries, I've made duct tape bandages to cover the wound. Always have that duct tape in the medicine kit! BTW, I have info on a sensible coop medicine kit here: http://hencam.com/faq/the-chicken-medicine-cabinet/