Bloody Hanging Ear Lobe! Am I doing the right thing???

[Mr. Frizzles Hen House]

Am I doing the right thing? I went out to let my 23 week old chickens out to their run this morning and found one with a bloody neck. Turned out to be a torn/ pecked at ear lobe (if thats what you call it). It was bloody with a chunk of skin hanging. I called my feed store and the girl told me I had to seperate her or she would be pecked to death. Luckly, my coop is an 8x8 shed with half as their space and the other half my space to access the nest boxes and store stuff. So... I moved her to that space where she can still see everyone through chicken wire above the nest boxes and the door. I have six buff orpingtons which she is one of, two ameracans, and two frizzles (one is a rooster). They just started laying, five eggs total since Wednesday. My injured buff is the only one still with a small pale pink comb. The feed store suggested the other hens which are laying may be gaurding their eggs from her being too curious. I just used hydrogen peroxide on her wound and picked up some neosporin to put on tomorrow. I don't know what to do with the hanging flap of skin? When can I move her back? Will I have problems if she is just seperated by chicken wire or will the others reject her return? Do you think she will be ok after everyone is happily laying? I'm new to all this so any insite would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

 

[justusnak]

Keeping her seperate....but within site is a good thing. I wouldnt use peroxide...just a good saline rinse...and the neosporin. You might be able to use blue kote on it...to keep the others from pecking it when you return her to the coop. Make sure she has a place to nest in there...she might just start. Give her a few days...maybe a week, then put her back in, but watch to make sure they dont gang up on her. Sounds like you have it all under controll.

 

[dixiechick]

I agree...you're on the right track. You can go ahead and remove the lobe with a sharp pair of scissors if it bothers you/her....but you can also leave it....

 

[JennsPeeps]

Keeping her separate is absolutely right. Other good advice:
1. get & use some blu-kote from feed store
2. clean w/ saline not peroxide (which actually damages tissue)
3. Keep her separate until no blood or scab remains
4. keep an eye out for infection

She'll heal quickly.

The birds pecked her b/c she's probably the lowest on their heirarchy. She'll be fine once she's re-introduced. She might be a loner when she comes back, and that's OK - chickens are fine with that as long as there is a flock nearby that they're sort of part of.

 

[Mr. Frizzles Hen House]

Thanks so much everyone! I used the peroxide only once after the girl at the feed store suggested it. This morning it was all dark and scabbing. I just put the neosporin on it at that time. There is still that little flap hanging. I was hoping it would just die and fall off. Won't it hurt if I take scissors to it? I have read different threads about the blue coat. Safe vs. not, being able to eat the eggs, etc. I went the cautious route since I wasn't sure about it's use. I didn't give her a box, just bedding on the floor, water, and her layer feed. She roosted on top of the nest boxes that are open on the other side to the main coop part. Highest spot she can get to. Should I give her a box? Or will she use the bedding if she starts to lay?

 

[CUDA]

Just cut it off, it will heal fine with no other treatments. I dub chickens all the time and they always do just fine on their own. You can see an article on dubbing HERE . Good luck!

 

[Mr. Frizzles Hen House]

Wow, I didn't know anything about dubbing. How can they not feel that? It seams like any live tissue like that would be painful. Makes my little flap of skin on my hen look like nothing

 

[CUDA]

Trust me, I have dubbed my share of fowl, and if anything, it makes them kinda cocky after wards. Some birds won't even flinch, and 99% of the time, the bleeding is very minor, and stops quickly.

 

[LAChick]

Cuda, love your website on dubbing. It makes perfect sence for the cod weather.

 

[CUDA]

Thanks, I appreciate that. You can see that article, plus a little extra in the upcoming backyard poultry magazine too!