Can a chick recover from this? Skin missing on head (graphic pic)

[iajewel]

That has got to be painful. I have to wonder if healing him, just to butcher him later is the kind thing to do. Putting him down may be kinder then the pain of healing. Personally. I would not put him through it. but thats me..

 

[Rowtag]

I had a chick last year who got stuck in the fence separating the big guys from the chicks (got her head and one wing through, no idea how, I had to cut the fence to get her out). Her skull was showing through. I really thought she was not gonna make it. I separated her with food and water, I didn't actually do anything but clean it out when I found her, she healed up pretty well. She doesn't grow feathers on the back of her head and she has almost no comb, but she was okay to mix back in with the others in about two weeks.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Well he's got at least 3 months with us this summer, that's a happy life for a rooster I think. HE doesn't know that I wasn't planning on keeping him permanently. He might end up a pet after being inside, or he might turn meaner as some roosters do. It's a choice between two Cuckoo Marans cockerels -- I could just as easily eat the other one instead.

He won't know it's coming, even though us humans do, so he will live each day that he can to the fullest.

I think most cattle farmers would heal up a steer that intended for eating, no?? Just because a chicken is cheaper doesn't really mean he's less valuable.

 

[AHappychick]

he will heal just fine with bacitacin or neosporin. I doubt it feels as bad as it looks. I dont think there are that many nerves on the scalp area. Anyway i have had many scalped quail and a coon even scalped a duck really bad during that awful attack I had last year but they all healed just fine. Just isolate and use the neosporin generously for a few days and then let dry up and only use it once or twice a week for 2 weeks more and thats all. Keep isolated until the scab forms. Good Luck.

 

[Tala]

He's doing much better today!!!

He was up walking around and eating when I got out of bed. He's still sleeping frequently, but not constantly like he did the other day. Tomorrow I may move his dog crate out in the yard so he can be with his broodermates without getting pecked at.

 

[bufforp89]

Good for him! I had a chick a few weeks ago that was maybe 4 weeks old that was picked in the brooder. I didnt know and by the time I got home almost all of the skin on her back was gone

She didnt seem to be in any pain and I cleaned her up and seperated to give her a few days before I put her down. It ended up scabbing up great and she is fine and almost healed now but no new feathers have grown back.

 

[lise]

I hope your chicken gets all well,
even if his name is 'hell',
so lucky to have all your care,
to help regrow his scalp and hair.
I'm praying for his strength and health,
when appropriate, I wish him stealth.
I hope that hellboy gets well fast,
and this injury will be his last.

-Lise Carter

 

[Tala]

Quote:
cute ty

 

[Tala]

I put "Flys Off" ointment on his head today and put his dog crate out in the yard without the tray in the bottom. He could get some grass and sunshine, and be with his family, but no one could pick his head any more.
He is looking and acting really good

 

[Tala]

Update: The wound seems to have "scabbed over" and he is acting like it's not even there. Fortunately, it's not too bloody looking and none of his broodermates seem to be interested in pecking at it. He is still sleeping in the hospital crate, but they are free ranging together again. When I went out tonight after work, it looked all dried out and healing up, so I really don't think it's necessary to keep putting ointment on it at this point. Of course I'll still be checking on him every day to make sure all is well.

On another note, a BCM pullet got her leg stuck on another section of fence tonight. Not really any blood, just poked a gash in the thin skin inside her thigh. I put her in the chicken tractor with some younger chicks who won't bother her too much. She's going to be fine I'm sure, just a little sore for a few days.
This has not been a good week for chick free-ranging I guess. Weird really, coz we have the exact same fence, but none of my blacksexlink group that I ranged last fall ever had this much trouble snagging on it.