Chick pecked to skull

[ospiee]

Unfortunately I agree. I've had some pretty dang severe scalpings (one self inflicted, several from quail and a few from hens deciding they didn't like chicks they were around prior to) but never as bad as this. It looks like the brain is exposed. Was this a crested breed?

Unfortunately I agree. I've had some pretty dang severe scalpings (one self inflicted, several from quail and a few from hens deciding they didn't like chicks they were around prior to) but never as bad as this. It looks like the brain is exposed. Was this a crested breed?

No, she’s just a normal barred rock.
I’m not sure if it’s the brain or just muscle and stuff? I should’ve gotten a better picture, but i didn’t want to mess with her to much. The picture is more the back of her head, on the top you can very obviously see the skull.
She’s drinking water from a syringe and will move around (not walking just kinda… trying to move? I guess?) and she seems to be alert to sounds and stuff but I’m just not sure what to do. I want her to pull through, and maybe she can, but if she can’t I don’t want her to go through this. I don’t think I can physically do the culling if we needed to, I’d have to have my dad do it but I’m not sure he wants to because she was his favorite. I know it’s selfish to think like that but it is really hard, she’s just a baby

 

[ospiee]

If you have electrolytes, warm electrolyte water, or Gatorade will help cure shock.

I’ve been giving her “Rooster Booster” which I stand by. We had a chick a few years ago who was super lethargic and sleepy when she was younger. We put rooster booster in the water and in a few days she was just as active as the other chicks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I’ve been giving her “Rooster Booster” which I stand by. We had a chick a few years ago who was super lethargic and sleepy when she was younger. We put rooster booster in the water and in a few days she was just as active as the other chicks.

That's best for deficiencies, or just nutritional supplementation, & or stress reliever, or Energy Booster.

Shock is different.

 

[ospiee]

Can you get a view from the side of her head, for another angle?

Scalpings are very common, & aren't hard to treat, & heal fairly quickly.

I hope this is a bit better- I’m trying not to bother her so much by turning her head

 

[AidKD]

No, she’s just a normal barred rock.
I’m not sure if it’s the brain or just muscle and stuff? I should’ve gotten a better picture, but i didn’t want to mess with her to much. The picture is more the back of her head, on the top you can very obviously see the skull.
She’s drinking water from a syringe and will move around (not walking just kinda… trying to move? I guess?) and she seems to be alert to sounds and stuff but I’m just not sure what to do. I want her to pull through, and maybe she can, but if she can’t I don’t want her to go through this. I don’t think I can physically do the culling if we needed to, I’d have to have my dad do it but I’m not sure he wants to because she was his favorite. I know it’s selfish to think like that but it is really hard, she’s just a baby

I personally would give it some time. As @MysteryChicken said, scalping aren't hard to treat and heal fairly quickly. If she's trying to move and peeping then that's a good sign.

 

[ospiee]

That's best for deficiencies, or just nutritional supplementation, & or stress reliever, or Energy Booster.

Shock is different.

Ah, ok! Then I’ll do what you suggested originally.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

No, she’s just a normal barred rock.
I’m not sure if it’s the brain or just muscle and stuff? I should’ve gotten a better picture, but i didn’t want to mess with her to much. The picture is more the back of her head, on the top you can very obviously see the skull.
She’s drinking water from a syringe and will move around (not walking just kinda… trying to move? I guess?) and she seems to be alert to sounds and stuff but I’m just not sure what to do. I want her to pull through, and maybe she can, but if she can’t I don’t want her to go through this. I don’t think I can physically do the culling if we needed to, I’d have to have my dad do it but I’m not sure he wants to because she was his favorite. I know it’s selfish to think like that but it is really hard, she’s just a baby

If the skull is intact, then her odds are much better. Still not guaranteed, but much better than if her brain is exposed. I know that I would try to help them, but at the same time you have to take care to not drag it out longer because of yourself.

The reason I asked if she was crested was because those often are the victim of scalping, and some have skulls that aren't fully closed, making access to the brain easier for pecking.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ah, ok! Then I’ll do what you suggested originally.

Shock is a killer if isn't treated first.

Save A Chick Electrolytes work nice.

 

[MysteryChicken]

View attachment 3709947
I hope this is a bit better- I’m trying not to bother her so much by turning her head

That should heal fine, if kept clean, & moist often.

 

[ospiee]

That should heal fine, if kept clean, & moist often.

I’m really concerned about those two sharp looking tendrils on the sides of her head. When she would drink water they would move while she moved her beak.