Barred rock attacked

[MI-Homesteader]

I apologize for the graphic photos, trying to give the best representation of the wound possible for help

 

[Wickedchicken6]

They certainly do help. I appreciate seeing the wound. It's hard to assess without seeing it.

I've just never had a chicken with an injury to that extent. Any chickens have just been killed and carried off...nothing left.
There's been no in between for me.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

@ChickenCanoe may be able to give info...lol

As long as the wound's cleaned and the bird is kept in a clean place, you can spritz, apply ointment, dress it, attend to the excess skin...later if need be.
It's a really good sign that she's eating/drinking/acting normally.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

This thread may help. Unfortunately the little guy's wounds got infection. They are using Vetericyn to spray the wounds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1124106/rooster-personality-change-after-attack#post_17335454

I've never heard of Vetericyn, (from Canada here) but it sounds like good stuff. I thought I'd bring it to your attention in case it can help.

 

[MI-Homesteader]

Thank you everyone, I will keep everyone updated on whatever happens with them. For now I cleaned the wounds and am going to put on antibiotic lotion. Would if help if I put Vaseline on them to keep flies off them? My wife overruled the keeping them in the house option....

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Hi again! That would be awesome if you could keep us updated.

As for the Vaseline, for some reason I have a feeling of dread about how it would heal, although I have no actual experience putting Vaseline on a wound.
I use a mastitis ointment (off label) for eye infections (instructed by our previous vet about 25 years ago. It works beautifully) but I once used a bit on a small wound thinking it would be a good thing for healing...but it most definitely wasn't. (It has an oily type base) I think that's why I question the Vaseline.

It would be great if someone else has experience with using/not using Vaseline and/or fly deterrents in wounds.

I tried to look up the spray I use and I can't even find it on the internet (so far) But I did come across Alushield Aerosol Bandage from Valley Vet.com. It apparently keeps dirt/insects out of the wound. I had one ewe that got attacked by coyotes but survived. She had flystrike in the wound...it is the nastiest thing that you don't want to deal with.
(We had to put her down...too much damage by the coyotes, very frustrating.)

 

[MI-Homesteader]

I put aquophor on the wound after I cleaned it with 50/50 of peroxide and water. My youngest daughter has a G-Tube and we have many medical supplies for that. We use peroxide to clean her tube everyday and have had great success with it so I figured I could use peroxide on the chickens (I used one of our medical syringes 60ml and cleaned the wound off)...yesterday when the attack happened I used soap and water than put aquophor....today the wounds had no flies and did not smell bad. I cleaned them again with the peroxide and water and reapplied the aquophor. They both are behaving normal not eating much but are drinking. The barred rock actually peed after I put her back Into the cage for the night. I'm just worried that the wounds are to large to heal...has anyone successfully rehabbed a wound this large?

 

[Wickedchicken6]

You sound like you've got everything under control.

(I'm not even familiar with some of the items you used.)

Probably my worst wound to date was my horse's chest...that was pretty gruesome and in such a bad spot. It did a lot of damage.

Most of my expertise is with deep abscesses, caesarian section stitches and their healing, birth extractions and everything that can go wrong there (uterine and vaginal prolapses and related infections) and setting/casting broken leg bones. So a little different than what your dealing with.

I think if the injury can get to the point where it starts to heal over with no infection...you'll be in the home stretch.
I understand your concern...it is an extensive wound.
I'm hoping for the girls can make a speedy, uneventful recovery.

 

[MI-Homesteader]

I posted that on my phone, it auto corrected Aquophor to squiggle lol. The wounds appear better than yesterday and the birds behavior seems to be normal for having such a wound. I appreciate all of the input and will continue to update as my treating of it progresses.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

You gotta love autocorrect...

That sounds really promising when the wounds are looking better.
I wish I had more knowledge on this specific situation.
I'm really pulling for you and the hens, no one wants to see chickies injured or in discomfort.
I'm learning as well, so I really appreciate your updates.

The time will come when I'll be in your shoes.