Anna is hurt.

[emshens]

Today i found my golden sexlink in the middle of my neighbors yard. At first I thought she was randomly sitting on some eggs or something because I've had issues with them not laying in their coop, which is another issue entirely.

Anyway, as I approached her she was sitting funny. She was sitting a little tall and slightly stretched out and I saw that her feathers on her wing were wet looking (not bloody) and she had a a large amount of feathers missing just above her tail and under her wing. It looks a bit gooey and pussy, but it's hard to tell if its just normal fluid in the skin.
she seems to be walking around ok, but can't turn around easily or walk on unsteady ground. I can't tell if she's just tired, or if she's got some leg issues. she jumped down a 2 foot ledge without issues.

I examined her at the house the best i could. She's really responsive and her character seems ok. She's drinking and eating. For now i have isolated her with some water and some cooked rice for now.

Should I do anything topically with her back? I thought i would keep her isolated with food and water for a while until she gets her strength back and her feathers.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Chicnextdoor84]

I would try and see where the goo and puss are coming from, it could be an infected wound. Can you post some pics? Do you have a rooster with your girls?

 

[emshens]

This is the best pic I have currently. I do have a rooster but the flock wasnt in their yard today and this morning they were all happy under the trees at the top of the pasture.

Ithink it was a predator of somesort. When I feed her tomorrow ill try get a better pucture of her skin.

 

[mightymax]

I have to agree with you about it being some sort of predator attack. Do you have many birds of prey lurking around your place? The position of the wound, with it being far down on her lower back, makes me think about when a bird swoops down and 'grabs' at their prey with their talons. I hope Anna heals up soon!!!

 

[emshens]

well, yes, being in the country we have hawks, skunks, cats, dogs, and coons. but the dogs i know wouldn't go near them. i'll just have to keep a closer eye on them.

i don't know whether to clean her or just let her take care of her wounds herself and just keep her isolated and well fed though.

currently the coop is in a very open area, away from the house as well. We're going to make a new coop that is closer to the house and under a tree. Hopefully this will be more protective for them if there is a predator.

 

[Chicnextdoor84]

I would keep her isolated. You should also try using a spray bottle or squirting bottle to clean the wound with a wound wash or warm water and apply some neosporin without pain reliever or blue kot. It should heal up fine. Just make sure it's not infected, if it has puss coming out you may need to give her some antibiotics. I hope she gets better soon, they can be resilient with a little TLC

 

[emshens]

Thank you everyone for your help. I will be going to get some supplies today to start treating her, I'll try to keep you posted on her progress.

 

[Chicnextdoor84]

Hey there! how is your sweet Anna progressing?

 

[emshens]

Thanks for asking!
Anna is doing good, I put some neosporin on her wound and it's healing up nicely. I haven't put her back in with the others yet as I want to wait until the wound is healed.

She waddles like a duck at the moment, but she's eating, drinking and laying eggs! The other day she got out of the garage and went clear down to the bottom of the yard to lay an egg! luckily I found her because she got stuck behind some logs and couldn't get out.

I think by the end of the weekend she'll be back in the coop.

 

[emshens]

Shold I be worried if shes walking like a duck?