broody disaster

[karenerwin]

I had two tiny chicks with large open attack wounds on the backs of their heads and necks. I sprayed them with Blu-Kote (available at TSC) and kept them hydrated with Pedialyte and they're doing fine, now. Except for the lovely blue-stained feathers, you'd never know they were ever injured.
Oh - and I learned right here on BYC that the "no pain meds" thing is not true. I still avoid it, if possible, though, simply by force of habit. My vet assures me, though, that a little bit of pain can be a good thing. According to the doc, animals instinctively know how to handle their own healing, and blocking the pain completely sends the wrong signal to their brains.

LOL, I learned on BYC about the pain med in the antibiotics being bad. I guess it's true, ask enough people and you'll get a ton of different answers. I wonder which is the actual correct answer. I don't know because I have always been careful to make sure I use the plain version of the antibiotic.

 

[Pugsabi]

LOL, I learned on BYC about the pain med in the antibiotics being bad. I guess it's true, ask enough people and you'll get a ton of different answers. I wonder which is the actual correct answer. I don't know because I have always been careful to make sure I use the plain version of the antibiotic.

I've always used the plain or too. Not because I don't think they feel pain or anything, but because of the dosage. Human grade pain relief is strong because we are big babies.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

I've always used the plain or too. Not because I don't think they feel pain or anything, but because of the dosage. Human grade pain relief is strong because we are big babies.

This is the reason why.... You hit the nail on the head.
This is something I use.... It's $18 but will last you a looooong time. It's got tea tree and rosemary and some other stuff that soothes and takes the pain out naturally. It also heals them up quicker I think. And is a natural antiseptic as well. Should have mentioned it before...... Smells good too!

 

[midnoight]

I am wondering if both hens were trying to kill her because they sensed something was wrong with her (i.e. she wasn't going to make it). That would explain why they were fine with the larger black chick, and not her.

I'm sorry you lost your poor chick. Hopefully you get the other chicks soon so black chick can have a new friend!

Looking back I bet that was the problem. Nonetheless I couldn't watch them kill it.

We're hoping to get the new chicks this weekend or early next week! For now though, I'm it's company when I'm around. (i believe it thinks im it's mother??)

Thanks for updating us about the outcome.
I am sorry that the red chick didn't make it.

Do you think the broodies were trying to get to her to claim her as theirs or to harm her? I imagine that you aren't going to test that theory out.
When you get the new chicks you should be able to put her in with them even though she will be much larger, they should co-exist just fine.

From what I saw- they were trying to harm her. The pecking and scratching was quite vicious and I think they were trying to kill her, there might have been something wrong with her.

We're planning on doing just that, they'll only be about a week or two apart in age, and from what i've read you can put chicks up to 3 weeks apart together with no problems.

Just food for thought, next time you have a chick that young, especially injured, I would keep it under a heat lamp or heat plate and let it rest. Taking it in and out probably didn't help the situation.

Will keep that in mind, thank you!!

I had two tiny chicks with large open attack wounds on the backs of their heads and necks. I sprayed them with Blu-Kote (available at TSC) and kept them hydrated with Pedialyte and they're doing fine, now. Except for the lovely blue-stained feathers, you'd never know they were ever injured.
Oh - and I learned right here on BYC that the "no pain meds" thing is not true. I still avoid it, if possible, though, simply by force of habit. My vet assures me, though, that a little bit of pain can be a good thing. According to the doc, animals instinctively know how to handle their own healing, and blocking the pain completely sends the wrong signal to their brains.

I will most definitely keep that in mind. I'm glad your chicks pulled through!!

I'm going to avoid antibacterial with pain meds in the future for that exact reason. It may not be true but hey- you can't be too careful.