6mth old chick with pecking wound

[Jadedx]

Hello, I recently added two 6mth old hens to my existing flock of three girls. I had my chicks in quarantine then introduced in a separate pen before transitioning into the main coop. They have been with the adults for a week when they went after my lil Cochin. I found her hiding under the hanging feededer with a wound to the top of her head. The wound is from today so it is fresh. I brought her inside and cleaned the wound and applied Neosporin. I have her in a cage inside by herself. I brought the other chick inside also, but in a dog crate to keep her safe. My question is what type of antibiotics can I use and dosage? How do I give a "bird" oral meds? (I have experience medicating dogs and cats.) She is drinking water and is resting at the moment. I attached pics of the wound and her hospital cage.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She shouldn't need anything beyond a wound treat spray. Antibiotics are for when an infection sets in which doesn't happen often in chickens. I have seen some horrible wounds heal up.

Are all the birds bantams too?

 

[Jadedx]

She shouldn't need anything beyond a wound treat spray. Antibiotics are for when an infection sets in which doesn't happen often in chickens. I have seen some horrible wounds heal up.

Are all the birds bantams too?

Only 1 other is a bantam and I think she was the aggressor. She was the only one that didn't seem happy about newcomers. I thought she was lonely after we lost her sister to an attack. The other 2 adults are Barred Rocks. The other chick I removed is a bantam mix.

 

[Jadedx]

Only 1 other is a bantam and I think she was the aggressor. She was the only one that didn't seem happy about newcomers. I thought she was lonely after we lost her sister to an attack. The other 2 adults are Barred Rocks. The other chick I removed is a bantam mix.

My avatar is a pic of the adults. I'm assuming I need to wait till the chicks are full adult size to introduce again. I introduced at night

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, waiting until they are bigger might be good. Then introduce them gradually through fencing or a large dog crate inside the coop. I agree, that I would not use antibiotics, but just keep the wound clean with either Vetricyn Spray or dab it with plain saline, and keeping it moist with plain Neosporin Ointment twice a day. Her wound will eventually heal and her feathers will grow back in, but that will take a month or more. Once her feathers start coming in, I would keep some BluKote on the new feathers, so that she doesn’t get them pecked out.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My avatar is a pic of the adults. I'm assuming I need to wait till the chicks are full adult size to introduce again. I introduced at night

It's best to pen birds where existing birds can get used to them through the fence. I personally never rush integration. The older the new ones the generally longer it takes, but all birds are different. When I introduce new chicks each year it takes about 6 weeks before I feel comfortable leaving them out full time.

How big is your coop and run? The smaller it is, the harder it will be to add birds.

It will take a month or so for your bird to heal up fully. After that start slow with introductions. Putting them in at night sometimes works but it's often a recipe for disaster as existing birds attack new birds which they see as intruders into their territory.

 

[Jadedx]

Thank you to everyone for their advice. She is doing good in her hospital cage and eating finally. I will keep you updated on her progress. Thanks again

 

[Jadedx]

Chicken doing well with wound cleaning and topical antibiotics. My oldest daughter has been helping out.