Chicken "scalped," loose flap of skin

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

So yes, cut the flag off with a poultry shears. It is unlikely there are any nerves in the flap, she will feel little if anything from the cut. She will be more irritated by being held tight for the process.

And then she won't be "Lumpy"

 

[chicmom]

Hello- So sorry to hear about your hen! Here's what I personally would do: Clean and rinse that wound really well, and then I'd stitch it down. Just a few stitches to hold it. Use a very fine needle. You can totally do this. Wrap that hen up in a towel, so she is immobile, cover her eyes if you can, and believe it or not, she will be very still. If your hubby or kids can hold her, that is good.

I've had to do surgery at home for bumble foot, and my experience is that, once they are restrained in the towel, and layed on their side, they just sort of go cryptic. They lie there very still, never making a sound.

Not everybody can do that though, because there is blood, so if you can't, it's understandable. When I first did the bumblefoot surgery, I was a nervous wreck. I became all sweaty and my hands just shook......it turned out great though!

Good luck to you!
Sharon

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Stitching a patrially detached flap of skin is not a good idea, if a significant portion of the flap is detached there will be no or very poor blood profusion and the skin will die. In an advanced medical setting they may be able to do things to keep the skin alive and O2/nutrients flowing to it but not in a barn yard setting. Heck in a medical lab they can grow skin in dishes...

Actually even stitching an open wound is questonable initial treatment unless it can be done in a very sterial manner and antibiotics given to aid in preventing a hidden infection within the closed wound. Absolutly skin grafts are done for people, likely animals too but in a controled medical enviroment so a vet might be able to do more than what can be done at home if that is an option Edit (which you indicated was not).

Being remote puts you in a back country medicine mode and the risk of loosing a patch of skin is much less than the risk of infection.

 

[PatS]

Yes, since the flap, which was about 1-1/4 in. by 3/4 of an inch, was held on by a little bit that was about 1/2 an inch, it didn't look as if the flap would "live." I decided it would be best to remove it. She was very good while I cut it, it bled a bit, so I put pressure on the would with a clean towel until it stopped and then cleaned the area some more. The part under the flap is kind of a yucky color, but once the flap was off, it smelled okay.

I do have some powdered tetracycline in case of an emergency. I'd prefer not to use it unless needed; most of the time I heal up fine without antibiotics and I have a feeling she's made of sterner stuff than I. Which symptoms would indicate putting antibiotic in her water?

She seems just as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as ever.

Thanks for all the great advice, Everyone!

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Agree, good to hold off antibiotics if you can but don't let an infection get a head start either. Likely good to watch the wound and area around it very carefully, any sign of inflamation spreading or increasing ickyness in the wound and it may be best to give some antibiotics. Taking pictures every day is a good way to monitor the wound in order to determine if it is healing or becoming worse.

 

[PatS]

Here's what a trooper this li'l gal is: one little pullet egg yesterday and one today! Boy, I hope she pulls through okay.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thats sweet she rewarded you for the tender loving care you gave her.