barred plymouth rock hen had blood on red thingy on head and not getting up, what might be wrong?

[Bossier Ranch]

My hen (Muriel) shares a pen with another hen and a turkey. The turkey (male) has been with them since a baby. They all get along great. This morning I went to feed them and notice that my Plymouth Rock hen was bleeding a little on top of her head on the skin part (sorry dont know the name of the fleshy part) she was kicking one leg, but not getting up, I carried her into the house and put her on a towel and made a nest for her to keep her comfortable. I stopped the bleeding. She's breathing with her mouth open and still not getting up. I offered her some of her food and she ate some from my hand on her own but then decided she didnt want anymore. She doesnt seem to be bleeding anywhere else. She is 7 years old. Does anyone know what might be the problem? or what I should do?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Poor Muriel. It is hard to say from the symptoms. She could be panting because she is experiencing some pain. Perhaps she pulled a muscle. One of the other birds could have pecked her comb because she was showing weakness, so it is good that you removed her. Another though is that she has a respiratory illness maybe, but it is hard to tell from what you describe. Keep an eye on her symptoms and see if they match any ones mentioned in this link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[dawg53]

I dont think it's a disease. Perhaps Tom turkey tried to tread Muriel causing the injury to her. Keep Muriel seperated away from your turkey, she is probably in shock. It will take TIME for her to heal especially if there's a leg injury. Provide her feed and water. There are no meds for this situation.

 

[Bossier Ranch]

Thankyou for your help, I dont think it is respiratory, because her panting sounds clear, I will keep an eye on her though, she seems to be doing it out of pain. She is still alert.

 

[Bossier Ranch]

Thankyou, I will keep her separated from him, you might be right about that. He might have stepped on her, or tried to mate with her? He never has done that before, but it's possible, he's ruined my Uggs! I had to throw them away

She has a nice little towel nest on the floor in my room, I'll keep her there and keep a close eye on her. If it is her leg, do you think it will heal?

 

[dawg53]

Thankyou, I will keep her separated from him, you might be right about that. He might have stepped on her, or tried to mate with her? He never has done that before, but it's possible, he's ruined my Uggs! I had to throw them away

She has a nice little towel nest on the floor in my room, I'll keep her there and keep a close eye on her. If it is her leg, do you think it will heal?

Leg injuries take TIME to heal, if that's what it is. Hopefully it's not an internal injury, if so there could be a different outcome. Buy some vitamin B complex tablets at a pharmacy, crush a few into powder and sprinkle the powder on top of her feed and let her eat it. It might help speed up recovery.

 

[speckledhen]

Leg injuries can take quite some time to heal, if that's all it is. She has some real age on her, so it may be a long haul, poor thing.


BTW, the "red thingy" is called a comb.

 

[Bossier Ranch]

Ok, I'll do that, and yes, hopefully not internally injured, my turkey, Guido, is a BIG guy. I already added another fence to the coop. and thankyou so much for your help