A wounded bird

[subhanalah]

A lot of people say a lot of things online but their experience is generally limited to what is imposed by birds in confinement being fed diets the keepers do not understand. I keep my birds under a range of conditions which helps see how different nutrition and husbandry regimes impact behaviors and health.

I doubt the damage caused by other birds was traumatic enough to bust an egg internally. Change in feces could be because of change in diet or internal infection.


I am aware your are concerned about the bird currently in trouble which is a reactive and neccessary measure. Unfortunately I suspect you will realize this type of event again because you are not taking proactive measures that prevent such problems from arising in the first place. My birds get injured relatively frequently but it does not result in cannibalism.

X2
Saying "it worked til now" is like saying you shouldn't put your kid in a car seat because your mother never put you in one and you're just fine.

Cannibalism is not a natural trait in domesticated chickens.

 

[Chad N Rose]

Thanks for the help everyone.

Chad

 

[subhanalah]

Thanks for the help everyone.

Chad

sometimes we just have to give up our preconceived notions for the better of the animals.
It's hard, but a great practice in humility, we would all be so fortunate to have this opportunity.

 

[Chad N Rose]

I'm not sure what preconceived notions you mean? I appreciate the info about dietary needs and welfare of chickens but I need information about what to do for the injured chicken, since preventative measures aren't helping her after she's already been hurt.
Can anybody tell me if there is anything we can do for this vent issue besides keeping her clean and antibiotics? Is there a chance the vent is going to heal properly and function properly or is she just going to suffer?

 

[Eggcessive]

Warm epsom salt soaks daily to her vent in shallow water may help in healing and keeping the area clean. If her vent is constantly leaking and smells bad, it may be the injury, or it could be some vent gleet which is usually a fungal infection. Just make sure there aren't flies getting to her injured vent since fly strike can be fatal. Vent gleet is treated with an antifungal cream such as Miconazole or Nustock usually, but I would wait on that until she doesn't need Neosporin for the wounds. Also probiotics in the water or some buttermilk or plain yogurt mixed into a little feed would work. An antifungal oral drug called Nystatin prescribed by a vet could help. Medistatin sold online is the same thing. Only time will tell if her injury heals, but keeping clean, and the antibiotics should help.

 

[Shabana]

I would follow eggcessives advice. He is terribly knowledgeable. I do hope she improves. Please do keep us posted.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for the kind words Shabana, but he's a "she," LOL. Chad N Rose here is a link about vent gleet for you to read: http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/12/vent-gleet-prevention-and-treatment.html

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I must agree with centrarchid. Except to say that cannibalism, especially in a flock confined to a chicken tractor is normal chicken behavior. The injury to your hen's foot marked her as a weak sister, a target that was just waiting to be cannibalized. The rest of your flock only proved themselves to be full red blooded chickens and did not disappoint Maw Nature and they deserve no punishments. Like Mark Twain once wrote:

"Another discovery. One day I noticed that William McKinley was not looking well. He is the original first lion, and has been a pet of mine from the beginning. I examined him, to see what was the matter with him, and found that a cabbage which he had not chewed, had stuck in his throat. I was unable to pull it out, so I took the broomstick and rammed it home. This relieved him. In the course of my labors I had made him spread his jaws, so that I could look in, and I noticed that there was something peculiar about his teeth. I now subjected the teeth to careful and scientific examination, and the result was a consuming surprise: the lion is not a vegetarian, he is carnivorous, a flesh-eater! Intended for one, anyway."

I won't argue with success but my experience is that the closer to nature the cure the easier on the patient. "Purple Medicine" like Blue Kote instead of something that keeps the wound wet and moist is in/my/humble/opinion the best medicine.

 

[Chad N Rose]

Thanks for everyone's help. We did the cleaning and antibiotics but our hen was dead when we got home yesterday. Very sad.

 

[subhanalah]

Very sorry for your loss. Hope everyone else is doing well.