Beat up momma hen (sad picture included)

[Dizzywitch]

Two of my momma hens somehow escaped their broody areas, got together, and went at it yesterday, probably over baby chicks. The one that got it the worst had her comb torn and her face pretty mangled. These injuries she’ll recover from but I’m worried about her eyes. One has been closed all day and the other is pretty swollen and I’m not sure how much she’s seeing out of it. Her babies hatched a week ago so culling is not an option but I’ve also noticed she’s having a hard time being a momma to her babies
today. Thoughts? Can a chicken do ok with just one eye? I’ve nursed chickens back from dog injuries but nothing like this that involves the face.

 

[AmyJane725]

Oh God.
Have you tried cleaning her face up at all yet?

 

[Dizzywitch]

I have. This picture was from last night. She’s spent quite a bit of today with her head tucked under her wing.

 

[AmyJane725]

I have. This picture was from last night. She’s spent quite a bit of today with her head tucked under her wing.

Poor momma.

Well, I'd put some neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment on her face. Maybe get some Terramycin Eye ointment and get it into her eyes. Have you tried opening the lids at all to see if the eyeballs are intact?

 

[BantyChooks]

In my experience, once the swelling goes down, it becomes apparent that the eyes are still okay. If one isn't, she should still get around fine; blindness isn't a death sentence.
These two went at it one day a year or two ago I didn't do anything; they scabbed over and healed up fine. I've seen worse (involving the eyes too) but didn't get pics.

 

[sourland]

If you do not have ophthalmic antibiotic ointment, apply some regular antibiotic ointment to both eyes. If they are mattered shut, try to soften the gunk with warm compresses before applying the antibiotic. My experience has been much the same as @BantyChooks.

 

[Dizzywitch]

Poor momma.

Well, I'd put some neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment on her face. Maybe get some Terramycin Eye ointment and get it into her eyes. Have you tried opening the lids at all to see if the eyeballs are intact?

Is the Terramycin Eye ointment from a farm store or a pharmacy?

 

[Dizzywitch]

In my experience, once the swelling goes down, it becomes apparent that the eyes are still okay. If one isn't, she should still get around fine; blindness isn't a death sentence.
These two went at it one day a year or two ago I didn't do anything; they scabbed over and healed up fine. I've seen worse (involving the eyes too) but didn't get pics.

Thanks! That makes me feel a bit better. I’ve wasted most of the day out there checking on her.

 

[coach723]

Terramycin is available at most Tractor Supply's and many feed stores. It's a tiny tube so they may have it locked up or behind the counter, if you can't find it ask. As said before, if you don't have it you can use plain neopsporin or triple antibiotic ointment.