Chicken with head injury GRAPHIC pic

[Ren2014]

Would a rooster do this? Or at least start it and then the others chimed in? This is the first injury I've had to deal with since owning chickens. We have two Lavender Orpington roosters that have just come of age and I have noticed one of them grabbing girls by the head. The meat is torn all the way to bone/skull. I have cleaned it up and put every antibiotic I have on it and am giving her tetracycline via water. She is eating meal worms from her water.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

It could be a young male that made her bleed initially and then the others saw blood and dove in. If they were mine, I would remove the males to be sure that it didn't happen again. Young males on the bottom of the pecking order tend to be more aggressive and will almost attack, instead of courting, just to be able to mate.

She looks bad, but chickens are amazingly resilient so I hope she bounces back for you.

Sounds like you have a good start on nursing her. You didn't say but I am assuming you have her separated. I would not put her back until she is completely healed and then re-introduce her slowly.

Good luck.

 

[Ren2014]

I culled the male that I saw grab a girl violently this evening. He definitely was not courting, it was an attack and then hung on to her head while she struggled to get away.

I have her in the house. Guest bath tub. I will definitely keep her separated until healed and reintroduced. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. Keep up the good work.