2 new hens pecked to bone!!!

[achicken539]

We have 5 chickens in our coop, and picked up 2 more from our friends that probably shouldn’t own animals. Upon arrival to get the new chickens, there were 3 dead chickens in the coop with them and a head outside the door. We brought them home, put them in the coop and separated them. We left a little space small enough for them to poke their heads out, and it seemed as if they were all getting along so we opened it up. They were okay yesterday when we went out to feed, but this morning we discovered one chicken is missing most of the skin on the back of her head (black chicken pictured), and the other one has a hole straight into her back (red chicken)! It looks like it’s been there for a while, so I don’t know if she came to us like this or if it’s new. We got them 2 days ago. I read the forum on here of what to treat them with, and I’m going to run to the store to get supplies in hopes to save them. But my question is, will the chicken with the hole in the back survive? She’s the only one eating and drinking, the other one is completely shocked.

 

[Wezdin]

It can with proper help. I can give you basic instruction but someone with more experience will need to chime in also. The wounds need to be cleaned, preferably with sterile saline. Stay away from Hydg.peroxide, it can hinder healing. It is important to keep the chickens warm and hydrated.

 

[Wezdin]

@casportpony any advice?

 

[achicken539]

It can with proper help. I can give you basic instruction but someone with more experience will need to chime in also. The wounds need to be cleaned, preferably with sterile saline. Stay away from Hydg.peroxide, it can hinder healing. It is important to keep the chickens warm and hydrated.

Thank you! I know hydrogen peroxide is more of a one time use thing because it will kill the bacteria. I’m just absolutely shocked that the chickens would peck her back all the way down to the bone!! She’s acting ok, I’m going to set up a thing for them inside for a while

 

[Wezdin]

Chicken, for how nice they can be, are some mean creatures sometimes.

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I'm so sorry! I've had that happen.

 

[achicken539]

I'm so sorry! I've had that happen.

Did your chickens survive? I want to save them but understand that if I can’t putting them down would be the humane thing to do. They’ve been through a lot already in their lives

 

[casportpony]

Those look bad, but I think if you clean them properly with saline and chlorhexidine, or saline and betadine, apply Neosporin, keep them warm, hydrated, and fed, I think they will be okay. Do you have a scale that you can weigh them on? Whenever a bird is sick it should be weighed daily to monitor for signs of weight loss.

 

[achicken539]

Those look bad, but I think if you clean them properly with saline and chlorhexidine, or saline and betadine, apply Neosporin, keep them warm, hydrated, and fed, I think they will be okay. Do you have a scale that you can weigh them on? Whenever a bird is sick it should be weighed daily to monitor for signs of weight loss.

I can pick up a scale at the store. I’ll add that to my list!

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Did your chickens survive? I want to save them but understand that if I can’t putting them down would be the humane thing to do. They’ve been through a lot already in their lives ☹

It was just one fortunately, and I know this sounds bad, but I don't remember. It was about five years ago.