A hole in the back of chicken neck

[SouthofEden]

Hello, So my chicken was attacked by another chicken ( presumably my rooster but I did not see it) and she now has a hole in the side of her neck. When she eats and drinks, a good portion comes pouring out of this hole. I have tried to keep it clean, I keep putting iodine and hydrogen peroxide on it to keep it from getting infected. She is in isolation. But the hole is not healing. So my question is, Can I put something on it like silicone, or caulk ( I know this sounds strange) to fill the hole. Because now she is not getting enough nutrition. I tried to butterfly stitch but nothing will stick. The skin is so thin, I am afraid if I try to sew it up, it will tear the existing skin. Not sure what to do. There's no chicken vet here.
Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Debbie292d]

Can you post a picture of it? That would help us understand exactly how bad it is and where it is.

Until then, my first thought was do what you're doing to get it clean, then put some triple antibiotic ointment on it, cover it with gauze and use Vet Wrap or something similar to lightly keep it intact.

Then I'd put Poultry Cell water out for her. Is she drinking and eating?

If she's seeming in shock, electrolytes might be helpful too.

 

[SouthofEden]

I will try to get a photo. The cut is about 1 1/2 inches long and very deep but not wide. She is drinking. I have given her electrolytes too. It's been 3 days with no improvement (healing) The water (and food) that keeps coming out seems to be preventing its healing. The vet wrap I have but I am doubtful it will hold because of the water. But I will try, thanks

 

[Debbie292d]

I will try to get a photo. The cut is about 1 1/2 inches long and very deep but not wide. She is drinking. I have given her electrolytes too. It's been 3 days with no improvement (healing) The water (and food) that keeps coming out seems to be preventing its healing. The vet wrap I have but I am doubtful it will hold because of the water. But I will try, thanks

Oh my, I wasn't understanding that food/water was coming out of this hole. Can you see any signs of infection? That would impede healing and she'd need an antibiotic most likely too.

Maybe a piece of plastic like cut a piece of a clear freezer bag, put that over the triple antibiotic ointment, then try to get that to stay put with the vet wrap? Do you think that would work?

I get your caulking idea now, but we aren't vets here and I don't know what you'd use as caulk that wouldn't cause more problems than help.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I keep putting iodine and hydrogen peroxide on it to keep it from getting infected.

These things will damage good tissue when used continually after the initial flushing.. according to my current understanding. Keeping away infection but possibly also preventing healing. *Maybe* triple antibiotic ointment would be a better choice??

Can you see the opening? Is it still vital tissue.. not grey or brown or any signs it has otherwise gone necrotic?

Is tube feeding POSSIBLY a consideration to bypass the crop so it can quit stretching? If this is considered then I would also consider fasting her between feeds.. Noting I am NOT qualified to give advice and only brainstorming ideas.

Consider calling around for any vet tomorrow that may throw some stiches in it. Maybe this place will help you..

https://sebastiananimalhospital.com/

http://www.eastcoastvets.com/our_staff.html

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Don’t fill the hole. If anything super glue can be used in a way similar to stitches to close up a wound (I’ve even used it on myself before). The problem with it being on her neck is that you will most likely not be able to wrap it tight enough to keep the edges of the wound tightly together so the wound can close up on its own without cutting off the airway. Do not use peroxide anymore because it will eat away at good tissue that is trying to grow.​

 

[SouthofEden]

Here are some photos of the wound

 

[SouthofEden]

These things will damage good tissue when used continually after the initial flushing.. according to my current understanding. Keeping away infection but possibly also preventing healing. *Maybe* triple antibiotic ointment would be a better choice??

Can you see the opening? Is it still vital tissue.. not grey or brown or any signs it has otherwise gone necrotic?

Is tube feeding POSSIBLY a consideration to bypass the crop so it can quit stretching? If this is considered then I would also consider fasting her between feeds.. Noting I am NOT qualified to give advice and only brainstorming ideas.

Consider calling around for any vet tomorrow that may throw some stiches in it. Maybe this place will help you..

https://sebastiananimalhospital.com/

http://www.eastcoastvets.com/our_staff.html

Ok thanks, I will put triple antibiotic ointment on it. I've posted some pictures. I'm thinking I will just give her water now and quit feeding for a day too.

 

[SouthofEden]

Don’t fill the hole. If anything super glue can be used in a way similar to stitches to close up a wound (I’ve even used it on myself before). The problem with it being on her neck is that you will most likely not be able to wrap it tight enough to keep the edges of the wound tightly together so the wound can close up on its own without cutting off the airway. Do not use peroxide anymore because it will eat away at good tissue that is trying to grow.​

Ok so I can try to use super glue to close the wound?

 

[SouthofEden]

Oh my, I wasn't understanding that food/water was coming out of this hole. Can you see any signs of infection? That would impede healing and she'd need an antibiotic most likely too.

Maybe a piece of plastic like cut a piece of a clear freezer bag, put that over the triple antibiotic ointment, then try to get that to stay put with the vet wrap? Do you think that would work?

I get your caulking idea now, but we aren't vets here and I don't know what you'd use as caulk that wouldn't cause more problems than help.

I think you're right. I will try the plastic with the antibiotic ointment idea. I think that's a good one. I'll let you know how this works. Thanks!