Bloody comb (graphic images)

[Triangle Nostril]

I'm sure this looks a lot worse than it is. I'm not too worried, but obviously wanna care for her. She probably got into a scuffle with a flock mate since this injury was noticed before I let them out of the run this morning.

Right now I have her isolated indoors while it heals. I was going to apply Blukote but read it's not the best for fresh wounds, so I'm getting Veterycin spray from tractor supply in a bit. Going to dab with warm water, spray some Veterycin and then apply basic (non addictive) Neosporin once the spray dries.

What's the protocol here, just keep her isolated for a few days as it heals over? Before I integrate her back I'll probably dab some BluKote over the scabbed area so it doesn't stand out and get picked on.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Poor girl, I see there is a chunk taken out of there too. I would keep her in a separate coop or hospital cage while she heals.

Vetericyn, and Hen Healer on top. Nothing too complicated. Even a simple coat of vetericyn and then neosporin would be good, if she will be staying by herself away from the other chickens. I love using Hen Healer though (from TSC.) It's thick and goopy so it prevents bugs from getting to it as well. I would also take the warm wet washcloth to her bloody head feathers and gently get it off.

 

[FunClucks]

Everything you plan sounds like a good idea. I'd do that.

They won't forget her in a day or two, so reintroduction shouldn't be an issue. I'd keep an eye out to see if the bullying happens again, and see if they need more space in the coop or something. If there's a cause for this that you can find, I'd try to fix it.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

I would keep her separated until healed or mostly healed... I usually use the brand SIMPLY NEOSPORIN. It heals more quickly and she can get back to the flock quicker.

 

[LoveMyPeepers]

The comb should heal by itself, those products will help, but she would be fine without them, isolating her for a few days should help so that the other hens don't pick on her.

 

[FunClucks]

The comb should heal by itself, those products will help, but she would be fine without them, isolating her for a few days should help so that the other hens don't pick on her.

This is true. I've had hens with similar wounds, threw blu-coat on it to discourage more issues, put her right back with the flock and it turned out fine. Chickens are in some ways amazingly resilient. Most wounds heal up fine with no medical attention as long as the chicken started out healthy. As a human, I want to put some medicine on it. But they are often fine without.

 

[Triangle Nostril]

Thanks everyone. Got her isolated for the night while she recovers. Made a makeshift roost and nesting box for her so she hopefully feels less stressed.

She's doing perfectly well, not even a little lethargic, was very relaxed when we put treatment on her and didn't resist or squirm.

I haven't noticed any bullying, I'll look at them more carefully. I know they nip each other sometimes when it comes to treats, so I've been more mindful of spreading them out over a wide area so everyone has their own personal space. I also set up feeders on opposite sides of their run, only the water is a single waterer in the center. But I never see them fight over water, they get fresh refills mid-day.

 

[Triangle Nostril]

Thanks for the suggestions. She's doing well - I had her isolated for 3 days and it seems mostly healed. I've been letting her out daily for a few hours gated away from her flock so they can see her, and I introduced her yesterday back to the flock with some Hen Healer (thanks @talkinboutchickens !) It felt like I was applying cake frosting to her. Her name is Milkshake so it's pretty fitting. I saw this product before but had no idea it was blue, I would have gotten it earlier.

Although she wasn't getting her comb pecked at, she still got a little ganged up on when being reintroduced. But nothing serious, just seemed like pecking order squabbles? Some chasing and neck feather nips (no feathers being pulled). I think she's at the bottom of the pecking order because she's very timid and avoids everyone except ironically the top chicken who seems to like her; who started grooming her as soon as she returned and napped next to her on a roost.

One chicken in particular seems to be terrorizing her and chasing her every time they make eye contact, so I put her on time out for the night. Feel bad doing it cause I'm not sure how much of it is pecking order establishment or plain bullying, but I don't want Milkshake stressed after being isolated, she's been very well behaved despite obviously not enjoying the situation.

I think they're stressed because the tree over them keeps dropping nuts onto their run, which they're protected from but it they make loud noises when they smack against it. Plus there are a lot of crows and hawks in the area right now for some reason - and while they're well protected I imagine it's stressful seeing large birds overhead all morning.

So I'm going to make a scarecrow and place blankets over the tarps of their run so it can muffle the noise a little. The tarps almost act like drums when the nuts clap against them. Hopefully that helps them calm down.

(Sloppy application because she kept shaking her head as I gently spread with a q-tip)

Does this look like it's healing well? Above pictures are from yesterday's fresh application, these are from this morning. I think the yellowish tinge is just from the blue covering the pale skin under. Slightly worried but I think it looked fine before I put the Hen Healer on.

 

[FunClucks]

yup, it looks like it's healing well. Glad to see that!

I think you've made good choices in dealing with the bully. Eventually, they'll get used to the noise of the falling nuts and will stop reacting to it, but you can muffle it if you want.

Mine have a very flappy tarp that rustles and crackles when the wind blows. They used to startle quite a bit, now they don't even notice it.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Thanks for the suggestions. She's doing well - I had her isolated for 3 days and it seems mostly healed. I've been letting her out daily for a few hours gated away from her flock so they can see her, and I introduced her yesterday back to the flock with some Hen Healer (thanks @talkinboutchickens !) It felt like I was applying cake frosting to her. Her name is Milkshake so it's pretty fitting. I saw this product before but had no idea it was blue, I would have gotten it earlier.

Although she wasn't getting her comb pecked at, she still got a little ganged up on when being reintroduced. But nothing serious, just seemed like pecking order squabbles? Some chasing and neck feather nips (no feathers being pulled). I think she's at the bottom of the pecking order because she's very timid and avoids everyone except ironically the top chicken who seems to like her; who started grooming her as soon as she returned and napped next to her on a roost.

One chicken in particular seems to be terrorizing her and chasing her every time they make eye contact, so I put her on time out for the night. Feel bad doing it cause I'm not sure how much of it is pecking order establishment or plain bullying, but I don't want Milkshake stressed after being isolated, she's been very well behaved despite obviously not enjoying the situation.

I think they're stressed because the tree over them keeps dropping nuts onto their run, which they're protected from but it they make loud noises when they smack against it. Plus there are a lot of crows and hawks in the area right now for some reason - and while they're well protected I imagine it's stressful seeing large birds overhead all morning.

So I'm going to make a scarecrow and place blankets over the tarps of their run so it can muffle the noise a little. The tarps almost act like drums when the nuts clap against them. Hopefully that helps them calm down.

(Sloppy application because she kept shaking her head as I gently spread with a q-tip)
View attachment 4227043

View attachment 4227042

Does this look like it's healing well? Above pictures are from yesterday's fresh application, these are from this morning. I think the yellowish tinge is just from the blue covering the pale skin under. Slightly worried but I think it looked fine before I put the Hen Healer on.
View attachment 4227091

Yay, I am so glad that I could help!! Thanks for tagging me! It does look like it is healing well.