Cat attack.

[LorenMcHugh]

I'm pretty sure my cat gave my 8 month old RIR a 1inch gash on her neck. Not sure how long she had it...only a couple days at the most. I cleaned it with peroxide and saline and put antibiotic ointment on it. She was dirt bathing yesterday a few hours after I cleaned it. I checked her today and it looks pretty dry and hopefully will start healing. She is still eating and laying and doesn't seem bothered by it. Should I do more or just keep an eye on it. The cat is gonna find a new home too...

 

[Hanna8]

In my experience, chickens are remarkably good at healing from major wounds like that. I would just clean it again every so often and keep an eye on it for signs of infection. Giving her some more antibiotics certainly wouldn't hurt either.

 

[LorenMcHugh]

Thanks....she's lost some feathers too..not just around the wound. Is it just stress? She seems otherwise fine

 

[Hanna8]

You're welcome. That could be stress from the injury, but it is very likely that she is just molting. If it were stress, it would probably be manifesting itself in other ways in addition to the feather loss.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Thanks....she's lost some feathers too..not just around the wound. Is it just stress? She seems otherwise fine

Its probably because of stress. Stress can cause chickens to start molting, or go into an early molt. She's probably fine.