Chicken got attacked - cut on chest area and has green pus

[ebl081]

We're not sure what got to this chicken but she got a nasty cut on her chest area yesterday morning, we think it was maybe a dog. There was minimal bleeding and we cleaned it out best we could and applied neosporin to it. It is tough to see how big the wound actually is because of the feathers. We have her isolated in a box in our home with food and water and she seems to be drinking and eating. However, I just checked her today and there is some green pus around the wound. Unfortunately a vet is not an option for us. She is a 5 month old Golden Laced Wyandote.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We're not sure what got to this chicken but she got a nasty cut on her chest area yesterday morning, we think it was maybe a dog. There was minimal bleeding and we cleaned it out best we could and applied neosporin to it. It is tough to see how big the wound actually is because of the feathers. We have her isolated in a box in our home with food and water and she seems to be drinking and eating. However, I just checked her today and there is some green pus around the wound. Unfortunately a vet is not an option for us. She is a 5 month old Golden Laced Wyandote.

Flush that wound really well. If you don't have an antiseptic (chlorhexidine/betadine) then use warm soapy water, working the debris and gunk from the wound, rinse well.
Trim the feathers back from the wound so you can see it better - this also helps it stay cleaner.
Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the wound. (Like Original Neosporin or Store Brand).

Don't stitch it, don't wrap it.

 

[RainbowHen]

Definitely do not stitch the wound. You don't want to trap bacteria and infection in there. The green oozing is very concerning. You can trim the feathers to keep the wound cleaner. What did you use to clean the wound?

 

[RainbowHen]

Thank you all for your help! I got some betadine and cleaned and rinsed as best I could. I couldn't get all of the green stuff off as some was pretty stuck to the flesh but after rinsing I dried it well and put Original Neosporin on the wound. Hopefully any infection is killed at this point. I put an ibuprofen and electroyte tablet in her water. I'll post an update as we progress.

Great job, mama

 

[Chickenman MAN]

I'd advise cutting off feathers around area, feathers make it warmer... better environment for bacteria. I am no chicken doctor but I'd clean the wound, cut off feathers, see size of wound. If large, stitch and apply more anti bacterials. Probably infected if pus.... chicken antibiotics?

 

[ebl081]

Flush that wound really well. If you don't have an antiseptic (chlorhexidine/betadine) then use warm soapy water, working the debris and gunk from the wound, rinse well.
Trim the feathers back from the wound so you can see it better - this also helps it stay cleaner.
Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the wound. (Like Original Neosporin or Store Brand).

Don't stitch it, don't wrap it.

Thank you all for your help! I got some betadine and cleaned and rinsed as best I could. I couldn't get all of the green stuff off as some was pretty stuck to the flesh but after rinsing I dried it well and put Original Neosporin on the wound. Hopefully any infection is killed at this point. I put an ibuprofen and electroyte tablet in her water. I'll post an update as we progress.

 

[RainbowHen]

I would not allow her out until completely healed for exactly this reason. Can you clean the dirt out?

 

[ebl081]

I would not allow her out until completely healed for exactly this reason. Can you clean the dirt out?

I brought her in again and cleaned it out as best I could. Most of the dirt did come out. I also applied some neosporin to be safe. I'll leave her in the house in a box tonight and monitor the wound tomorrow. Thanks for your input

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So after about 6 days, our chicken healed surprisingly well. We put her out in the coop again and she seemed to be okay. However, since the wound cut a large part of skin away from her body, there is an open space where a lot of dirt has collected. It is almost all dry which is reassuring but there is one part deeper in the wound that is slightly moist.

I am wondering if we should try cleaning this out at all? Some of the dirt seems pretty stuck to the area. I'm a little worried about it opening up again. There are no signs of infection and she seems to be eating and drinking normally. Any advice would be appreciated!

I brought her in again and cleaned it out as best I could. Most of the dirt did come out. I also applied some neosporin to be safe. I'll leave her in the house in a box tonight and monitor the wound tomorrow. Thanks for your input

It's good that you cleaned it back out - take a good look and see exactly how deep that may be.
I've never used it, but it seems that quite a few people use Pine Tar to pack a wound like that- something to consider looking into.
As for her being out - that's your call. I've had birds ripped up and with open wounds and I generally leave them out unless they are getting picked at or are in shock, then I may keep them in overnight. I tend to the wound 1-2 times a day, clean as needed and pack with triple antibiotic ointment.
Monitor for bad odors, red angry tissue at the wound, oozing pus and change in behavior (lethargy/going off food, etc.)

 

[ebl081]

It's good that you cleaned it back out - take a good look and see exactly how deep that may be.
I've never used it, but it seems that quite a few people use Pine Tar to pack a wound like that- something to consider looking into.
As for her being out - that's your call. I've had birds ripped up and with open wounds and I generally leave them out unless they are getting picked at or are in shock, then I may keep them in overnight. I tend to the wound 1-2 times a day, clean as needed and pack with triple antibiotic ointment.
Monitor for bad odors, red angry tissue at the wound, oozing pus and change in behavior (lethargy/going off food, etc.)

Very helpful, thank you!