Chickens neck!!!

[cherrynberry]

Our chicken recently got her head stuck in a box. Luckily we got her out safely, but the other chickens did peck her on the neck and it is bleeding. The blood is covered by a thick layer of feathers, so should we separate her from the group or just let her in with the others? They free range and have quite a lot of space so I am wondering if trapping her would help or not. Please help. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!! By the way the cut is the size of a thumb

 

[cherrynberry]

Here are her photos please help!!!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

The feathers are likely going to hide the blood. But if the chickens see even a teeny speck, they'll continue to peck her. I would tuck her inside a cat carrier or a closed bathroom and put some antibiotic or raw honey on the wound. Some electrolytes wouldn't hurt. You can find an easy recipe online. Just keep an eye on her neck movement. Let us know if you notice anything that changes or seems different than the other chickens.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

P.S. She is super cute!!

 

[cherrynberry]

P.S. She is super cute!!

Thanks!

 

[cherrynberry]

There is one thing I worry about though... She seems to be doing fine with the other chickens and not a little bit of the wound is showing. But when I try to see it by lifting up her stash of feathers, she would show a sign of it hurting. She has no odd movements with her neck, because I know odd neck movements can be a very bad sign. If it causes her pain should I still try to apply honey (which is what I currently have)? And should I separate her even if she has been fine for the last 30 to 50 minutes? Because I really don't want her to be lonely.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

There is one thing I worry about though... She seems to be doing fine with the other chickens and not a little bit of the wound is showing. But when I try to see it by lifting up her stash of feathers, she would show a sign of it hurting. She has no odd movements with her neck, because I know odd neck movements can be a very bad sign. If it causes her pain should I still try to apply honey (which is what I currently have)? And should I separate her even if she has been fine for the last 30 to 50 minutes? Because I really don't want her to be lonely.

I tend to prefer not separating chickens because of the stress I've seen it cause them. With an open wound, the idea is to give it some time to start healing. As long as they can't see the blood, and the wound isn't actively bleeding, she'll probably be fine.

As for honey, it's excellent for wound care, and I relied on it as a primary treatment for severe wounds on my rooster. But there weren't any flies during winter, when he was injured. The hotter weather and the presence of flies could be a problem. They may not have access to the wound because of the feathers, though.

If it were me, I'd make a saline solution and flush the wound first, and then apply some honey. Honey makes a sticky mess, but it never seemed to travel much and stayed put. You'll only need a little. You can mix in some powered turmeric if you have some.

 

[cherrynberry]

I don't have turmeric but is ginger root powder roughly the same?

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I don't have turmeric but is ginger root powder roughly the same?

Good question! There are similarities, and I know ginger is used for topical treatments. But since I'm unsure and haven't used it on open wound, I'd say just use the honey by itself. It's really all you'll need. Just make sure it's pure honey and not a corn syrup blend.