Big hole in leg!

[Jeshbear]

I went on vacation and when I came back I found a big hole in one of our chickens leg. I checked all the other ones they're fine and I don't know what happened. Here's a photo.

 

[arianna7]

Could you take a closer picture if she would let you, I can't really see what is going on. Is it just her feathers, or her flesh as well?

 

[AshVau22]

1st thing would be to clean the wound and get a better look at what your dealing with. Also check for infection.

 

[Eggcessive]

Trim away feathers near the wound and take a closer picture. Do you think a raccoon or other predator did this? Was it during the daytime, and are your chickens locked up at night? Saline 2 tsp salt dissolved in 1 quart of water (or 1/2 tsp per 8 ounce cup,) can be used to rinse the wound with a syringe or spray bottle. After blotting it dry, apply some plain triple antibiotic ointment on it twice a day after cleaning the wound. Is she able to walk around okay? Are the others pecking at her wound?

 

[Jeshbear]

Trim away feathers near the wound and take a closer picture. Do you think a raccoon or other predator did this? Was it during the daytime, and are your chickens locked up at night? Saline 2 tsp salt dissolved in 1 quart of water (or 1/2 tsp per 8 ounce cup,) can be used to rinse the wound with a syringe or spray bottle. After blotting it dry, apply some plain triple antibiotic ointment on it twice a day after cleaning the wound. Is she able to walk around okay? Are the others pecking at her wound?

She is able to walk but the others are pecking at her. We are trying to stop them though. For our chicken coop we made a shed then turned it into a chicken coop. We use a automatic door. For the first couple of months we made sure they were going in on time.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you separate her in a wire dog crate with food and water while she heals? I would keep the crate near the other chickens so she remains part of the flock and they keep familiar. That will make it much easier when she is out in the population. I would make sure that the timer on the automatic door is right, and set a little earlier as the days grow shorter. Daylight savings time change is next month. I have never used a door like that because things can happen. Hopefully she recovers from her wounds. Watch for signs of infection, such as a bad odor or pus/drainage from the wound. If that should occur, then switch to chlorhexidene/Hibiclens or weak betadine to flush the wound.