Chicken with large head wound after being attacked

[luvsungs]

Here's the other hen. I don't see any maggots but I'll check again later just in case.

 

[staceyj]

Here's the other hen. I don't see any maggots but I'll check again later just in case.

Poor little girl.

Will she open her eyes, or did the camera just catch her sleeping or mid blink.
Make sure she stays warm and keep offering hydration.

Do you have any mealworms?
They are dried worms people buy to use as chicken treats.
Mostly chickens go crazy for them.

How about about 1/4 of a slice of bread with a small amount of peanut butter smeared on it?

Bread is one of those things they really shouldn’t eat but sometimes you do what you have to to get a few calories in them because
calories = energy.

 

[luvsungs]

Poor little girl.

Will she open her eyes, or did the camera just catch her sleeping or mid blink.
Make sure she stays warm and keep offering hydration.

Do you have any mealworms?
They are dried worms people buy to use as chicken treats.
Mostly chickens go crazy for them.

How about about 1/4 of a slice of bread with a small amount of peanut butter smeared on it?

Bread is one of those things they really shouldn’t eat but sometimes you do what you have to to get a few calories in them because
calories = energy.

Last night she had both open, I don't know if maybe something happened or she just wants it closed. I don't have any mealworms, but I'll try the bread and peanut butter

 

[luvsungs]

The 2nd chicken wouldn't eat it from my hand, so I just left a little piece for her, and the chicken with the head injury won't open her eyes but still responds to noises and touches.

 

[staceyj]

The 2nd chicken: do you think her eyes are closed on purpose or are they maybe stuck shut from dried blood?

 

[luvsungs]

The 2nd chicken: do you think her eyes are closed on purpose or are they maybe stuck shut from dried blood?

I cleaned off the blood as best as possible yesterday, and don't see any new wounds where she could have bled from. She's eating the bread and peanut butter, so I'll try to take a closer look once she's done.

 

[staceyj]

You are doing a fantastic job @luvsungs,
Im really proud of you.

Just keep chicken #1 comfortable.
Sometimes you can prop them up with a couple of old rolled up towels. They find it comforting.

 

[christwodog]

I don't think her wound is too bad, but I'll send some pictures just in case. She takes little sips when I dip her beak in but she won't take any food

I wouldn't worry about not eating just yet, hydration is the most important. If you have some pedialyte on hand or poultry electrolytes, you could give her some to give her a little boost. Regardless of the outcomes, you're doing a great job, you may consider a career in veterinary medicine!

 

[luvsungs]

Chicken #2 is doing much better. She ate a little bread and peanut butter and is drinking on her own. I'm just worried about how much pain Chicken #1 is in. Euthanizing her is probably the right decision, but what's the best way to do it? I don't think my parents will want to take her to a vet, so I just want to make sure they do it as painless as possible.

 

[staceyj]

Chicken #2 is doing much better. She ate a little bread and peanut butter and is drinking on her own. I'm just worried about how much pain Chicken #1 is in. Euthanizing her is probably the right decision, but what's the best way to do it? I don't think my parents will want to take her to a vet, so I just want to make sure they do it as painless as possible.

You have been incredibly strong through all this!
I really admire the directions you been able to take, the steps you’ve taken and most of all, the questions you’ve thought to ask!
Also that you knew when to say you were “in over your head”. It takes a smart person to say that!
The world would be a better place if more adults would just raise their hand and say that!

There is a somewhat gentle method of at home euthanasia, as opposed to the broomstick method, cervical dislocation, decapitation....

One of the BYC members wrote a good article about it.
I’ll post a link to it below.

Someone I know euthanized a full grown chicken recently following these instructions, but she wasn’t a huge size chicken.

For a full grown chicken you’d probably need at least 1/2 a can to a full can of starter fluid. I remember she also said that it comes in different strengths and to buy the strongest kind (highest percentage of ether) plus a spare can.

She also used a plastic storage box with a snap tight lid, like for storing shoes in. Both of these things can be bought at any place that has an automotive section such as Walmart. Starter fluid can also be bought at a lot of gas stations if your parents already have some sort of chicken sized plastic tote with a tight lid.

I can’t stress strongly enough that this method MUST BE DONE by an ADULT and
MUST BE DONE
OUTDOORS!

The fumes are HIGHLY TOXIC and dangerous.

Here is the link to the article for your PARENTS to read.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...re-culling-the-injured-and-sick-babies.72140/

I am sending you 100 hugs.