Chicken froze into the snow

[Tala]

I think chickens are allergic to the -ine medicines like the pain killer version of Neosporin and Bactine.

Some wounds you want to keep moist so a petroleum jelly based medicine like Neosporin is a good idea, but I think blisters make their own moisture (the clear liquid) so you want to allow them to dry out.

 

[strawberryfields]

Just because she was "frozen"... makes me think of frostbite... in which case she would develop blisters and possibly some toes.

I am hoping for the best for you. Hopefully draining those blisters will help!

 

[chickygrrl]

Thanks so much everyone. It was the regular Neosporin without the pain relief ingredient...I had read that things that end in -caine are bad for chickens. I totally agree about the frostbite theory...so far she doesn't seem to have any black/dying areas, so we are hopeful she will heal. I will keep you updated.

 

[Tala]

Here this sounds kinda similar!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=284698
The vet also suggested epsom salt soaks! I'm not sure what all that other stuff is exactly, sounds like the rooster in that thread is a lot worse than your hen. Said it could take 4-6 weeks to heal though! But since you already expected long healing times on the feathers I guess you're set for that.

 

[Andora]

The post above is my thread. The vet's advice is in the last post on my thread. My rooster's feet are a bit worse than your hens, but they have the same sort of blisters with one foot having a huge blister on the bottom of the foot. You shouldn't pop the blisters, the vet said to wait for them to pop on their own.

We're getting set up for a long haul of healing feet...my DH is so not happy about a rooster living in our house, lol.

 

[chickygrrl]

OK, I promise, no more popping.

I've been soaking her feet 2x a day, which she seems to like. Keeps trying to drink the salty water, though. When I have her out for the next soak I'll pour the hydrogen peroxide over. I'll keep slathering with the antibiotic ointment and I have some dog booties I might try putting over her feet for protection. We'll see about the TV, treats and foot massages...

Thanks for all the support! Andora, good luck with your roo.

 

[chicknmania]

Don't feel bad about missing her. my turn to feed last night as my DS was gone. I went out at 5:30; (sunset) and was in the barn for 20 minutes, feeding and getting them ready for the night. When I left it was almost completely dark. My DS came home at around 10:00pm and found six hens and a rooster roosting on a heap of mulch in front of the barn. They must've been free-ranging away from the barn, cause i sure never saw them and I even went out and looked around for wayward chickens before i closed up the barn.It was nice out yesterday after weeks of cold and snow, and chooks spent the whole day outside. I was so relieved they picked a place to roost where they were easy to spot, and collect! (we have about 36 chickens, and they are hard to keep track of, believe me)....

 

[chickygrrl]

Since she is usually a free ranger, should I be providing some kind of grit while she's indoors? She's not eating much of her layer feed, but likes the bread, fruit, eggs, etc. I've been feeding her.

 

[jjthink]

Quote:
Hi. I wasn't able to read whole thread or research the topic so I may have missed something here but I wouldn't pour hydrogen peroxide on. From what I understand it can damage tissue.
JJ

 

[Slywoody]

I would make sure she has some grit for the duration.