Chance of healing this wound?

[BlueShadow]

I have a 4 week old bantam chick who got stuck in some wire. He tore a hole through his skin over his breast, just in front of where the wing attaches (there's a little bump of bone there that pushed against the wire and caused the skin to tear in his struggles). The hole is full-thickness, I can see the muscle under the skin. The hole is approximately pea-sized, just over 1/4 inch in diameter, so not too big but it looks huge on this tiny little bantam chick.

I currently have him isolated with a friend for company and am putting triple antibiotic ointment on it several times a day. Is there anything else I can do to help him heal? What are the chances of his recovering without infection?

We are in a situation of too many birds, and I especially don't need roosters (and I am pretty sure this chick is a HE). I also don't want him to suffer pain for a long time only to die anyway of a nasty infection. I am happy to nurse him along if his chances are good, but if he isn't likely to make it, I would prefer to end everyone's unhappiness sooner rather than later.

 

[BlueShadow]

Okay, that was the situation last night when he got the injury. I just went out this morning to tend the wound and take pictures (about 14 hours after he got the wound) and it already looks SO MUCH BETTER than last night. The wound edges contracted a lot and the hole is a lot smaller than last night. It's also beginning to scab over. I guess if we can keep out infection, he might make it. I still would appreciate comments on his chances of avoiding infection.

Pictures 14 hours after injury, healing is beginning:

 

[U_Stormcrow]

100% chance the wound can be healed. Your little dinosaurs can take far worse, though I obviously don't encourage it. Neosporin, I find, works amazingly well, but any topical anti-bacterial will do. Iodine, betadine, Neomycin, etc. Whatever you have on hand.

We always have Neosporin, so its my go to. Its also a cocktail - isn't much resistant to all three of its active components. Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin (so you don't have to look them up)

 

[sourland]

100% chance the wound can be healed. Your little dinosaurs can take far worse, though I obviously don't encourage it. Neosporin, I find, works amazingly well, but any topical anti-bacterial will do. Iodine, betadine, Neomycin, etc. Whatever you have on hand.

We always have Neosporin, so its my go to. Its also a cocktail - isn't much resistant to all three of its active components. Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin (so you don't have to look them up)

Great advice. Keep the flies away from him, and he should be fine.

 

[BlueShadow]

Thank you for the encouragement! Yes, I used Neosporin. I was very encouraged by how much better he looked this morning, glad to know that his prognosis is good. We will keep on!