Bloody saddle/butt/back from bullying - WARNING: picture with chicken injury

[barsad0]

TL;DR- big chicken pecked little chicken, is isolation and alternating bactine and antibiotic ointment sufficient?

I'm sorry to ask because I know it's been asked and answered a ton before, but I searched the forum and couldn't find a good answer. I have an existing flock and have put a dog kennel with 4 younger pullets in the hen house to introduce them to the flock (so the existing flock can see them but cant touch). Well dummy me felt that after a week together they would be ok to integrate.

I put them together about 4 am when I got home from work, and watched them for a few hours in the morning before I went to bed. There was a little pecking but they were free ranging and it wasn't anything excessive (I assumed establishing a pecking order). When I woke up two of them have been pecked to hell. I separated them again so they can heal up.

My question is this, I have been spraying bactine on them in the morning, and putting antibiotic ointment on them at night. Is there anything else that I can/should be doing or am I on the right path?

 

[Eggcessive]

Chlorhexidene 2% spray or Vetericyn Wound spray might be a little better. Use twice a day, and follow with plain antibiotic ointment twice daily. The bactine has a pain reliever that probably should be avoided. It is going to take awhile for the wounds to regrow skin and feathers. Unfortunately this can happen when 2 groups of differing ages are integrated. Good luck on their recovery.

 

[TheCluckyClucker2]

@azygous @Weeg @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @Little Baby Bean

 

[TheCluckyClucker2]

Sorry Eggcessive, didn't realize you replied till' I replied.

 

[azygous]

Here is what you're dealing with when you try to integrate young pullets with an existing flock. They are inexperienced in knowing how to deal with adults. They are afraid of the adults and this fear can trigger the adults to bully. Then it makes the pullets even more timid and afraid.

To counter this, the pullets need time in a safe enclosure to observe and learn the behavior of the adults. Then when you do let them mingle, it needs to be refereed at first and limited in duration. It's critical that you have adequate space where the pullets can run from and find safety in higher perches or behind partitions. They also need a safe place to eat and drink without being bullied.

You need to figure out how to provide these necessities and safe features.

Meanwhile, clean the wounds each day and keep them always moist with the wound ointment. They must not be allowed to dry out.

When you decide to begin letting the pullets mingle, it must be a gradual process.

 

[Weeg]

@azygous @Weeg @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @Little Baby Bean

Thanks for the tag.
I agree with @Eggcessive.
Neosporin without pain relief can be helpful as well. Do you have her in with any other birds right now? If so, even if its a bird you were trying to integrate as well, watch that very closely, and be sure to keep that wound covered in either pain free Neosporin, or Blue Kote can help sometimes as well. I would probably just out her in a see no touch from any other birds just to be safe though.
Good luck! I hope she recovers soon!

 

[Eggcessive]

BluKote burns, and it should not be used on major wounds. Once a scab has covered the wound, BluKote may color the wound blue, hiding the injury. Some find that BluKote may attract more pecking, although I had very good luck with it when my polish hens’ heads were pecked and red.

 

[CSolis]

I'm going to tell ya what I use on injuries like that. BAG BALM! It's a miracle worker. It keeps infection from setting in, keeps the skin moist while it heals, and prevents fly strike as well.

 

[azygous]

I love Bag Balm. Been using it for fifty years.