Back of chickens head torn open

[Tiffy316]

I just discovered one of my young hens with a nasty gash on the back of her head. There's not enough skin to stich together. I washed it with water and applied some neosporin, but I'm not sure what else I can do for her. All of the vets are closed right now.

 

[User635240]

This has happened a few times in my flock unfortunately. I would spray it with BluCote, isolate her (like, in a cage by herself but ok to keep the cage with the other chickens for company), and let it air dry. It should heal in a few weeks. You can give her some electrolytes and egg yolk to help her with shock.

Also, try to find out what did this - a dog? A weasel? To prevent this from happening to other chickens.

 

[swamphiker]

Chickens are very resilient and heal from very serious wounds. It's good that you've cleaned the wound. If you haven't already, you should isolate her, ideally somewhere warm where you can keep a good eye on her. After an injury, chickens will go into shock, so it's important to keep her hydrated and body temperature up. If she won't drink on her own, you can try carefully dripping some water into her beak with an eye dropper or syringe without the needle. It's okay if she doesn't eat much for a few days, but you can try to tempt her with cooked scrambled eggs, yogurt, or feed with water. She'll be quite swollen so it might be hard for her to move her head to eat/drink normally.

Given the location and severity of the wound, you may also consider administering antibiotics. I found some at the feed store which I inject intramuscularly into the breast with an insulin syringe.

Best of luck to you and your girl!

 

[Tiffy316]

Chickens are very resilient and heal from very serious wounds. It's good that you've cleaned the wound. If you haven't already, you should isolate her, ideally somewhere warm where you can keep a good eye on her. After an injury, chickens will go into shock, so it's important to keep her hydrated and body temperature up. If she won't drink on her own, you can try carefully dripping some water into her beak with an eye dropper or syringe without the needle. It's okay if she doesn't eat much for a few days, but you can try to tempt her with cooked scrambled eggs, yogurt, or feed with water. She'll be quite swollen so it might be hard for her to move her head to eat/drink normally.

Given the location and severity of the wound, you may also consider administering antibiotics. I found some at the feed store which I inject intramuscularly into the breast with an insulin syringe.

Best of luck to you and your girl!

I applied some neosporin. I'm going to run to the store so I can wrap her wound with guaze. Do you have any other suggestions for what I can do to help her?

 

[alinas2010]

I’m very sorry about your hen. Typically a chicken can recover from wounds like this as long as no infection sets in, but it’ll take time and a lot of care. Clean daily with a spray such as Vetericyn or chlorahexadine and then slather in a triple antibiotic ointment such as neosporin WITHOUT pain relief. Keep the wound moist with ointment at all times so it doesn’t dry out. She will need to have some electrolytes mixed with a bit of sugar for shock. Room temp Gatorade will work instead, alternatively so will some nutridrench with a bit of sugar added. Gently dip her beak in to get her interested. Keep her separated, somewhere warm, dim and quiet to recover from shock. Do not cover the wound but keep her inside away from flies while she heals.

 

[Tiffy316]

I’m very sorry about your hen. Typically a chicken can recover from wounds like this as long as no infection sets in, but it’ll take time and a lot of care. Clean daily with a spray such as Vetericyn or chlorahexadine and then slather in a triple antibiotic ointment such as neosporin WITHOUT pain relief. Keep the wound moist with ointment at all times so it doesn’t dry out. She will need to have some electrolytes mixed with a bit of sugar for shock. Room temp Gatorade will work instead as well as alternatively some nutridrench with a bit of sugar added. Gently dip her beak in to get her interested. Keep her separated, somewhere warm, dim and quiet to recover from shock. Do not cover the wound but keep her inside away from flies while she heals.

Should I put guaze or some sort of bandage on her head?

 

[swamphiker]

I applied some neosporin. I'm going to run to the store so I can wrap her wound with guaze. Do you have any other suggestions for what I can do to help her?

I'm not an expert, but I don't know that you need gauze. If you can isolate her somewhere clean and the wound isn't bleeding uncontrollably, it might be best to let it dry out.

 

[alinas2010]

Should I put guaze or some sort of bandage on her head?

No, there are several risks with trying to apply a bandage or wrap to a chicken. I know it is tempting, but the best option is to slather it really really well in a triple antibiotic ointment. That will keep it moist and lock out dirt and bacteria. Bandages and wraps suck out moisture needed for healing and risk cutting off circulation and some overly curious chickens try to eat them.

 

[alinas2010]

Do treat her for shock right away, that can kill faster than a wound itself can in some cases.

 

[Tiffy316]

No, there are several risks with trying to apply a bandage or wrap to a chicken. I know it is tempting, but the best option is to slather it really really well in a triple antibiotic ointment. That will keep it moist and lock out dirt and bacteria. Bandages and wraps suck out moisture needed for healing and risk cutting off circulation and some overly curious chickens try to eat them.

I hope so. There's a big hole on the back if her head and neck, and I can see the muscles on the back of her neck.