Black hole on my red ranger

[glwhlw2225]

Can anyone give me any insight to what happened to my red ranger? I noticed a little bit ago that the feathers were missing and it was a little red. I saw the other chickens pecking at him but I just saw the feathers missing. I went out yesterday to take care of them and I saw a big black hole towards the back where the feathers are missing. The hole is pretty deep. It looks like necrosis maybe?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Yes, that area looks like dead tissue, and she may have been wounded or attacked by a predator. Have the other chickens pecked her feathers out? I would try soaking the hen in some Epsom salts, betadine, or chlorhexidene and warm water to soften it. Gently scrub the dead tissue and try to get it off. Make sure there are no maggots present, or you will need to get them off. If the area bleeds a little and pink tissue is seen, then that should heal. Apply plain Neosporin ointment twice a day. The baths may be necessary a number of days until the healthy tissue is seen. Keep her away from flies. When she goes back in with the other chickens, the red bare areas may need some BluKote to prevent pecking.

 

[glwhlw2225]

Yes, the other chickens had plucked the feathers out. Thank you for the information!