Advice needed for treating hen with red bare back and fever

[TrustJesus]

I have a hen that has gotten too much attention from our rooster. Her back is bare, very red and inflamed and today when I checked on her she felt feverish. I would like to try to treat naturally first if possible but any advice is welcome. This is my first experience with an injured chicken. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a couple of bare backed hens, mostly the young and fertile. It is normal for them to look red. Chickens are naturally warm animals, so I wouldn't assume she had a fever without actually taking her temperature.

I would leave her be unless she has wounds. She should grow her feathers back in the fall. I would remove the rooster, either temporarily or permanently, to give your hens a break.

 

[Kiki]

You poor thing...I am sorry your are having to deal with this.
Can you get her in to a vet?

You need to keep it clean and her safe, away from the meanie.
Neosporin (with out pain med) can be applied daily.

The wounds should heal, what you need to watch for is infection, that can kill.
Antibiotics would be a good thing to start.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A hen saddle can protect from the rooster and the sun.
I would still remove him to give her a chance to heal.

How many hens do you have?

 

[TrustJesus]

13 hens 1 rooster.

Haven't checked temp with thermometer but we had just finished doing a check on all the chickens for lice/mites etc. and she was very warm compared to all the other chickens I held, so I'm sure she's running a fever.

She has some feathers just coming in now on her back and I think the other chickens may be picking at her new feathers too which doesn't help. I think I'll have to separate her for a while. How long does it take for the feathers to completely grow in?

Has anyone had success using essential oils with their chickens for problems like this? I've read about using a mixture of garlic juice, water and certain EO's for treating external parasites, and was thinking maybe something like that would be good for skin wounds too since garlic is a natural antibiotic. Thoughts anyone?

 

[msmidwick]

I have just isolated our second chicken with no back feathers. Sadly we had to get rid of our rooster as he was very aggressive and the hens were suffering. The first hen we helped we put on our screen porch and sprayed vetericyn on her back twice a day for about 4 days. She is fine and her feathers all grew back. We now have another one that is just as bare. Her feathers did not grow back when we got rid of the rooster. She is warm and backless. She has been on the porch for two days now and shows signs of no red back, no fever and her feathers seem to be sprouting! We were so sorry to get rid of the rooster as he was beautiful, but the hens are happier now! I think! Healthier for sure.