Bloody mess in coop

[MissMonty]

Finally got a hold of my vet's office. Apparently, I'm doing all the right things by leaving the wound open and reapplying Vetricyn. Thank you again for responding. Sometimes, I just need a little hand-holding to reassure me!

Just keep an eye on it to make sure your other hens don't start picking at it. That'll give a big risk of infection

 

[Callender Girl]

I'm going to try to keep her isolated in the cat carrier inside the coop for a few days. She's settled down quite a bit and is happily eating a few grapes out of the reach of all of her coop mates . I've put pine shavings in the carrier and will give her feed and water in there.

I'll apply more Vetricyn later this afternoon. Before I could whisk her into the carrier, I noticed the Maran was coming for her, too. Darned bullying chickens!! This is the first time she's been attacked. They all used to aim their attacks at the Welsummer who spent most of her first year with a naked butt.

 

[CSolis]

Maybe you could hang a cabbage head in the coop, or apples or something for them to work on.. Might help with the boredom a bit.

 

[Callender Girl]

Good suggestion. I just happen to have a head of cabbage I can try.

 

[SueT]

Cornstarch acts as styptic powder —-or if you have official styptic powder, use it to stop bleeding.
I brought a hen inside yesterday with a torn comb. She was a mess, the coop was a mess. Wonder Dust powder stopped the bleeding.
Dawn and vinegar cleaned up the blood in the coop, much of which was frozen. She had apparently hopped all over the place shaking her head.
I can’t put her back in w those bullies.
She’s relaxing in the basement while they are all out in the Polar Vortex freezing their tushies off.

 

[Callender Girl]

Sorry to hear about your girl. Serves the bullies right that she's enjoying the warm. I'm reluctant to bring mine in because even though I keep my house at a brisk 62 degrees, it's double-digits below zero out up here, and I would be worried about the temperature shock she would experience when it's time to go back out.

Of course, I have one "upstairs" cat and four basement cats, so my girl probably wouldn't rest too well in here.

I'll try the Dawn and vinegar (plain old white vinegar, I'm guessing).

 

[SueT]

Sorry to hear about your girl. Serves the bullies right that she's enjoying the warm. I'm reluctant to bring mine in because even though I keep my house at a brisk 62 degrees, it's double-digits below zero out up here, and I would be worried about the temperature shock she would experience when it's time to go back out.

Of course, I have one "upstairs" cat and four basement cats, so my girl probably wouldn't rest too well in here.

I'll try the Dawn and vinegar (plain old white vinegar, I'm guessing).

Yeah, white vinegar, I keep the mixture in a spray bottle. Equal parts of each...
good luck with your hen!

 

[SueT]

I wrote equal parts of each...that can’t be right, it would make a sudsy mess. I made it a year ago.
Google the ratio, there are many different suggestions, I see. Many also have water.

 

[Eggcessive]

Boredom, too little protein in the diet, and overcrowding can be causes for feather picking and vent pecking. I try to shovel snow to make little paths to get them outside, and you can sprinkle some scratch grains or toss bits of scrambled eggs out to tempt them out. Keeping them separated with food and water inside the coop with others is how I handle things like this, so they remain part of the flock.

 

[Callender Girl]

I'm happy to report that after a week in the "infirmary," Cordelia was able to return to the main group. Since it warmed up into the high 20 degrees, all the red coop girls were able -- and willing -- to get outside and hang out under the coop where there was no snow. They did their best to "dust bathe" in the uncovered dirt.

With their cabin fever cured, there have been no more incidents. Thanks to all who offered suggestions and support.