Chick's head pecked to the bone!!!

[LBejaran]

This is always such a traumatizing experience for chicks and their owners. I just found out that two of my chicks had gotten pecked violently on their heads and was so sad when I saw their scalps. One was so bad, it looked like their was a piece of flesh missing from the lower back of his head.

After cleaning and applying neosporin, I Blu-Koted it and I now have the two siblings put safely away inside a basket next to me. They were fine and have been wanting to get out, but I think they need a little food/water and sleep so they can start to heal up. This has happened before to some of our chicks and it's always sad, but my babies are so resilient. They're little troopers!

I'm not necessarily happy that other people have had to go through this, but it is comforting to know that my chickens aren't simply Satan's spawn. I hope everyone's chicks are doing well!

 

[Lrkel]

I have had this happen twice. The first was a torn off comb with a little of the skull showing. Neosporin and some tlc and she healed.
Yesterday I found a pullet that had her whole skull exposed, the ear was pulled out of the canal, with only small flaps of skin left hanging over her eyes. I could see her spine on her neck and everything. I panicked and was sure she could never survive that kind of injury. But she looked similar or a little worse than that picture. We euthanized her thinking it was the best for her. Now I wonder if I made a mistake? Can they heal from that sort of trauma where there is literally no skin on half of the skull? I felt I was doing the right thing putting her out of her suffering.

 

[LBejaran]

I have had this happen twice. The first was a torn off comb with a little of the skull showing. Neosporin and some tlc and she healed.
Yesterday I found a pullet that had her whole skull exposed, the ear was pulled out of the canal, with only small flaps of skin left hanging over her eyes. I could see her spine on her neck and everything. I panicked and was sure she could never survive that kind of injury. But she looked similar or a little worse than that picture. We euthanized her thinking it was the best for her. Now I wonder if I made a mistake? Can they heal from that sort of trauma where there is literally no skin on half of the skull? I felt I was doing the right thing putting her out of her suffering.

Chickens can survive loads of things, but there is always the risk that they are suffering whilst healing. Had my chicks been any worse, I probably would have been googling painless ways to cull chicks. One of them was attacked recently, the skin on his skull looking like it was peeling off. He's fine now, but super skittish. I was lucky that I'm super cautious about my babies and I check on them frequently. That much trauma could have led to infections, pain, shock, you name it. I think you made the right choice. If you worry that it'll happen again, maybe look in your area for a vet that specializes in birds/livestock. That way, maybe you can save a bird next time. That, or look for new ways to prevent these kinds of injuries. Prevention is always best. I'm sorry for your loss. It sucks when you can't save a pullet. It doesn't seem fair.

 

[Silentraven37]

Just had this happen to one of my chicks from one of the older chickens. i washed it with water and hydrogen peroxide and then got some blu-kote on it. i really hope she turns out okay i feel so bad and responsible

 

[vasuki]

When feeder or floor space inadequate birds that are low down in the peck oder become easy victims of head pecking.comb and wottle injuries resulting from fighting are a predisposing factor.the vice has been observed even in individually confined hens in battery comb,wattle or earlobe by beak and shake to cause injury.

 

[HagenHens]

Just had this happen to my 9 week old yesterday. Cleaned really well. Applied antibiotic ointment and Vetericyn, gave electrolytes. Today, she has been eating and drinking. Provided wound care this morning. She seems to be doing okay so far. A little concerned about infection setting in and pain management. I've seen info on mixing an aspirin drink, but I'm concerned about the dose at her young age. Any recommendations?

 

[Super_Girl]

Thank you so much for this post! We have a roo that looks like he's been scalped! Ran to buy some blu-kote today. So appreciative of all the great answers in this community...

 

[Bettyboop7499]

To Happima, have you tried blu-kote on your chick's head? It seems to camouflage the scab.

It has now been one month since my chick was injured and 2 weeks since she was integrated back with her sisters. I put her in a dog kennel inside the run for 2 days and increased her supervised mingle time, but she was in the bathtub at night. One evening, she attempted to enter the coop after the others. I stopped her and she squawked! So, I said, okay, let's see how you are in the morning. She was fine! She has been with her sisters since then! Sometimes she gets pecked, but generally gets away. If her scab is broken, I reapply the blu-kote.

When this happened, I was so frantic and traumatized! Everyone with a similar experience, have hope! We have all seen this, so I feel okay posting Chubs' before and after pictures. The first is the night of the attack. The second and third are today, with the last being the back of her head. You can see she looks like a monk, but is doing fine!



My only complaint is that when she was hurting I could easily pick her up and cuddle...now she wants nothing to do with me!

Oh no! That's horrible! I'm glad that she survived-Amazing! It's always a good sign when they don't want anything to do with you..like when your kids become independent-sure it hurts but take comfort in knowing you did something right!

 

[Shannanb74]

Here is my experience. June 4, I had a 6 week old chick who flew over the 4 ft divider fence between the chicks and hens. (Shade cloth is now hung top to bottom to keep anyone else from 'crossing the line'). When I found her, she was bloody and her scalp was gone. Horrifying and traumatic for all of us! Based on all I have read here, I cleaned her up at various times with soap & water, bactine, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide. Then I would add the neosporin. I did make her an electrolyte solution (found here) and gave her antibiotic in her water. I had her in towels, but then moved her to a tub with pine shavings, waterer, feeder and mirror (so she wouldn't be lonely) and her environment would not be so alien. One the third day, she started eating chick feed mixed with lactobacillus (whey from yogurt) and molasses. This was a special treat when she had pasty butt. I have also added Rescue Remedy, putting a drop on her beak. I was interested to read elsewhere that the yellow/green on her head might be the healing process - I have been trying to scrub it off, but causing more bleeding (and peeping!). I also started putting Blu-Kote on her head when the yellow/green started drying up. She is now in a dog kennel, inside the chick's run. It has been 2 weeks to the day and she is healing quite well and spends a few minutes mingling with the other 7 chicks each day - supervised since a couple want to pick at some skin on her neck. However, she was the boss before, and I think she has a good chance of regaining her status!

My question now is, how soon to let her mingle freely? (I was actually here looking for a chicken helmet when I saw your post.) Regarding your little chick - you will be surprised how fast they bounce back. The day my chick was attacked, I was here on the forum looking up when/how to cull and injured chick - so glad I didn't have to do that!

Best of luck to you and your little chick - please keep us posted!

This is exactly what i just found. My poor little baby was on deaths bed when I found it. Ice cold and covered in blood barely able to stand. I took it in and gave it a warm bath and blew dry with a warm hair dryer. The two that have been together since birth are separate from the big hens. When i separated my 2 little ones they both freaked out. Once i brought the babies temperature back up and got some water in it, it seemed to bounce back pretty quickly. I am keeping lots of neosporin on the large wound and the other chick doesn't seem to be pecking it. I was just checking to see if others are going through the same thing. Thank you guys so much!!

 

[LHawley88]

This happened to us today. Right to the scalp. I am sure Mother has taken the flesh right next to the eyes too. The eyes were closed though not sure if they are gone or just shut. The chick is days old! I'm not sure a spray would be a good idea, it's so raw and close to the eyes!