Bloody Pin Feather

[NewAtThis8]

My jumbo Pekin is going through a hard molt. He has big blood filled pin feathers on both wings. He’s also disabled and will sometimes use a wing to catch himself if he stumbles while walking. I was away from home today and at some point he must have injured one of the pin feathers because it was broken and bleeding. While the blood seemed fresh, it wasn’t actively bleeding, until I inspected the feather to see how broken it was and it snapped off in my hand, taking a half inch clot with it out of the part of the feather still attached. It bled a few drops, but I took him inside, wiped him down and put clear iodine on the broken tip of the feather and packed it with corn starch. I didn’t notice any bleeding after that. Are we good or do I have to pull it? I’ve seen conflicting stories about pulling vs now, that not being the first method to fix them if they’re not actively bleeding because the large wing feathers are attached to bone. It’s always something with this guy…. But I don’t want him to bleed more and get into a dangerous state. What would you do?

 

[Poultry Showman]

Pulling the feathers is really your choice. I have heard bad and good about both sides. Good job cleaning it! As long as you avoid infection I think you're good. If you use herbs on your chicken lavender is a good pain reliever and yarrow is a good blood stancher. Corn starch is always good but usually has a lot of preservatives and chemicals in it. I'm not saying to not use it though. It is most readily available and can save a chicken's life when you need it right away.

 

[Poultry Showman]

I have read that it may incurr permanent damage to the feathers follicle. So maybe what you did was better than pulling it.

 

[NewAtThis8]

Pulling the feathers is really your choice. I have heard bad and good about both sides. Good job cleaning it! As long as you avoid infection I think you're good. If you use herbs on your chicken lavender is a good pain reliever and yarrow is a good blood stancher. Corn starch is always good but usually has a lot of preservatives and chemicals in it. I'm not saying to not use it though. It is most readily available and can save a chicken's life when you need it right away.

I’m actually growing yarrow! Assume it probably has to be dried and crushed though?

 

[Poultry Showman]

Yes crush and dry it. The internet might have better ideas though. I'm kind of new to herbs. Still trying to get to all the herbs I want to grow! It is an amazing painkiller and blood stancher. I recommend it to any animal in pain and bleeding. And since you grow yarrow I would always keep a store of the dried and crushed stuff for them. I'm sure you can make a paste with it to.