Cannibals

[micstrachan]

99% of all problems chicken keepers experience in one way or the other can be traced back to the chickens' keepers.

Seriously? Is this a fact? If so, that is fascinating, and make me that much more motivated to learn so I don't unknowingly cause my flock harm/illness.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @messhetter74 Welcome To BYC

You have recieved some good suggestions here.

Cleaning the wound is always good - you can use saline, sterile water, soapy water, diluted betadine, etc. Apply a triple antibiotic ointment (plain Neosporin) or Vetericyn to the wound. Blu Kote does work well, but for open wounds, it's easier to use something clear so you can monitor the wound for infection. It's great when you are wanting to hide wounds or need a quick antiseptic - I keep it hand.

Keep her separated and relatively warm (75-80F) see that she is drinking - add vitamins or electrolytes to her water for a couple of days. Once she is drinking well, then offer her normal feed with a little extra protein like egg for a treat.

Since the Leghorns ganged up on her - check her over for other wounds that may be hidden. Is she new to the flock? Any idea why they attacked her. Check her crop to make sure that it empties overnight and that she doesn't have any lice/mites.

How much coop and run space do you have (sq ft for each)? How many chickens?
Sometimes chickens will attack another if they are sick or showing weakness. If they draw blood, then they all jump in. Having enough space so they can move freely and not get on each other nerves will help as well.
What type of food/treats do you feed?

Keep us posted.

 

[ronott1]

Blu kote is the spray. Covers the red.
Try to clean the wound gently, I keep betadine on hand for emergencies.
Then pat dry.
Vetericyn spray is good or
Triple antibiotic if you can get it to stick.
Gentle nonstick type bandage if possible?
Provide electrolytes, good high protein foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, canned tuna and either baby or poultry vitamins ASAP.

Supportive care and warm quiet isolation are a must here.

Hope your sweetly heals quickly.

yep! I have had this happen with several breeds. Blood makes them do this. They stop when the blood is gone

 

[messhetter74]

Hi @messhetter74 Welcome To BYC

You have recieved some good suggestions here.

Cleaning the wound is always good - you can use saline, sterile water, soapy water, diluted betadine, etc. Apply a triple antibiotic ointment (plain Neosporin) or Vetericyn to the wound. Blu Kote does work well, but for open wounds, it's easier to use something clear so you can monitor the wound for infection. It's great when you are wanting to hide wounds or need a quick antiseptic - I keep it hand.

Keep her separated and relatively warm (75-80F) see that she is drinking - add vitamins or electrolytes to her water for a couple of days. Once she is drinking well, then offer her normal feed with a little extra protein like egg for a treat.

Since the Leghorns ganged up on her - check her over for other wounds that may be hidden. Is she new to the flock? Any idea why they attacked her. Check her crop to make sure that it empties overnight and that she doesn't have any lice/mites.

How much coop and run space do you have (sq ft for each)? How many chickens?
Sometimes chickens will attack another if they are sick or showing weakness. If they draw blood, then they all jump in. Having enough space so they can move freely and not get on each other nerves will help as well.
What type of food/treats do you feed?

Keep us posted.

Thank you all so much for the responses!! She is not new to the flock they have been together since I bought all of them together. For treats they get meal worms, cabbage,and lettuce. These leg horns have also attacked other hens. They have a big coop and hen house. I don't know the dimensions because hubby is asleep. I have 16 chickens. None of them appear weak or sickly. They are all bright eyed and active. They get fresh water daily and fed twice daily a mix of crumble and scratch. I will go to the feed store today and get the stuff you all mentioned. Thanks so much! I will keep you posted.

 

[messhetter74]

Oh dear. Poor girl. Can you clean it? I can't tell what part of her body we are looking at. I have heard some amazing recovery stories of chickens, but I'm not sure exactly what you should do here. I have Vetericin Plus on hand for this sort of thing, but have not had to use it. Do you have betadine/iodine? I am certain someone will have some good advice here. She may end up needing antibiotics to make sure it is not infected.

It's on her back above her tail feathers.

 

[messhetter74]

Thank you!

yep! I have had this happen with several breeds. Blood makes them do this. They stop when the blood is gone

I hope she heals. I feel awful this happened to her.

 

[sourland]

Great advice posted by previous posters. The only thing I would add is to make sure that flies can not gain access to the wound. Such wounds generally heal readily, but take time. Cannibalism as suggested by Chicken George is generally caused by environmental/husbandry situations - boredom, overcrowding, inadequate diet - sometimes discerning the cause is difficult. Once started it can be difficult to eradicate from the flock. Sometimes the utilization of Pin Less Peepers is necessary for a period of time. Good luck at healing her and eradicating this problem from your flock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 16 chickens. None of them appear weak or sickly. They are all bright eyed and active. They get fresh water daily and fed twice daily a mix of crumble and scratch. I will go to the feed store today and get the stuff you all mentioned. Thanks so much! I will keep you posted.

How old are they?
Are they kept in a run or do you free range?
How much food are you putting out - just enough for all of them at 2 feedings a day?

Photos of your set-up will be helpful. If you are feeding in just one area - try offering the feed in multiple areas, this lessens food aggression. Everyone has their own method of keeping chickens, but I prefer to make normal feed (crumbles/pellets) available at all times during waking hours.

A mix of crumble and scratch - are you mixing the crumbles with the scratch? Scratch is usually low in protein, but makes a great treat. Offer your crumbles free choice all day, then give scratch once a day as a treat. Generally speaking, treats should be no more than 5-10% of daily intake. Not having enough protein or not having access to feed can make chickens food aggressive.

See if by tweaking how you feed will help with their behavior.

 

[micstrachan]

+1 for what @Wyorp Rock said.

 

[messhetter74]

How old are they?
Are they kept in a run or do you free range?
How much food are you putting out - just enough for all of them at 2 feedings a day?

Photos of your set-up will be helpful. If you are feeding in just one area - try offering the feed in multiple areas, this lessens food aggression. Everyone has their own method of keeping chickens, but I prefer to make normal feed (crumbles/pellets) available at all times during waking hours.

A mix of crumble and scratch - are you mixing the crumbles with the scratch? Scratch is usually low in protein, but makes a great treat. Offer your crumbles free choice all day, then give scratch once a day as a treat. Generally speaking, treats should be no more than 5-10% of daily intake. Not having enough protein or not having access to feed can make chickens food aggressive.

See if by tweaking how you feed will help with their behavior.