Chicken wound treatment?

[cmlew99]

Hello! I noticed that my hen had two wounds on the sides of her back from my rooster. They were almost "scabbed" over, hiding behind her wings. They are slightly raised, but not horribly, and there is no bad smell coming from them. I syringed some water over them that day, but that was the extent of my cleaning of the wound.

I saw these on the 29th of March, so sixish days ago. From the 29th up until two days ago I have been applying Neosporin to both of the wounds at night. Two days ago I also attached a hen "saddle/apron" to her, which is working well.

She is extremely skittish, and gets very very upset when I take her off of the roost at night (the only time I can catch her). She even goes into shock (when I place her onto the pine shavings she lay there, completely still) (just from me applying the Neosporin).

How long do I have to continue this Neosporin application? Is five days enough? I hesitate to keep frightening her like this, so I'm wondering how often I have to check on the wound, etc..

Thanks!

 

[fried green eggs]

You could just spray Blu Kote on it and keep it protected with the hen apron and then you might only have to re coat it with Blu Kote every few days. Neosporin has something in it that can be toxic to chickens so, I would limit its use.

 

[Michael Apple]

Do the hen a favor by cutting the rooster's spurs back or at least filing the ends round. Make sure toe nails are not long and sharp either. Read up on it and get the appropriate tools and blood stop powder before doing it. Avoid clipping too close to the quick (vein):

Neosporin is not harmful, even with a trace of lidocaine, it is just worthless for preventing bacterial infections. If any traces of "caine" were truly dangerous to birds, vets wouldn't use it and styptic gels or powders labeled for birds wouldn't contain any:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1763

Aprons are a neat alternative, but have never found the need for them. Just keep an eye on the wounds as to prevent infection. Separate the hen if you need to until healing is complete. Silver sulfadiazine is probably the best topical you can use for wounds to prevent and treat infection.