Cockerel savaged Hen

[termeerchick]

Some can be pretty hard. I've tried the hot potato twist, where you stick a hot potato on the spur to soften, then twist the spur off with pliers. That just seemed to get the outer covering. I tried to sand them down with a file and then with a dremel, but it was too slow. Now I just take a pair of dog nail clippers and snip about half the spur off. They seldom bleed more than a few drops if at all. If they need more trimming, I wait about 2 weeks and do it again. It's quick, easy and I can do it by myself. Clippers in one hand, bird upside down in the other hand. And Snip!

I was also wondering about trimming the rooster spurs. Do you trim them like dog nails and look for the quick? And trim right before it? I’ve never done it before. But I was thinking the same thing, just using the dog nail clippers.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, the wound will slowly granulate in to eventually join the skin together, healing from the inside out. If you take pictures twice a week you will be able to tell the difference. Keep using the chlorhexidene mixed with water to clean the wound, and rinse it off. Then keep the wound covered with a coat of plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day.

Spurs can be dulled with a file or blunted with dog nail clippers.

 

[BarryTheBold]

This is the best picture I could manage

 

[Shadrach]

I was also wondering about trimming the rooster spurs. Do you trim them like dog nails and look for the quick? And trim right before it? I’ve never done it before. But I was thinking the same thing, just using the dog nail clippers.

You don't need to trim any roosters spurs unless they are wider than the width between their legs. They can be pretty much any shape and the rooster will learn how to adapt to them. Look at the spurs on the rooster in my avatar. He and other mature roosters learn how to roll their gait so the spurs don't obstruct their progress.
What you can and should do is gently file the point round and along the spur shaft. It's easiest to do this at night while he's stand on his perch.
The next point is, is the rooster the right size for the hen? nature has this sorted, it's the keepers who need to learn. An easy route is same breed of rooster as hens. It's not laways possible in the pick and mix culture of chicken choosing.
There seems to be an assumption that somehow roosters should instinctively know about this mating business, how to ask, how to do the chest bump, how not to grab, where exactly to place his feet and a great many other things. He has to learn all these things and imo a good chicken keeper has to take account of this and because there is no senior rooster, you the keeper have to do your best to teach him. It's either that or find a flock trained rooster for your flock.
The natural way is a senior rooster and senior hens teach the cockerels.
Again unfortunately these simple things get overlooked by a great many people who attempt to keep chickens; those who just keep hens don't have such problems.
At five months old your cockerel doesn't know much. It is usual for a cockerel to attempt to mate with it's mother first. This is when the senior rooster will drive the cockerel away.
At feeding time, it's the senior rooster who drives the cockerel away from the hens at feeding time. The cockerel then learns the hens feed first.
There are many other examples of things he needs to learn, but the basic point is, if he doesn't have a dad then there is only you to teach him.
The next generation are easier. the mature chickens teach the pullets and cockerels.
You may choose to beleive that you've just got a bad rooster. I would like to suggest that he's not bad, he's young and it seems a bit tough to get the death sentence for youth and ignorance.

 

[BarryTheBold]

This thread IS NOT about roosters spurs getting trimmed or not eating that rooster. I eat chickens and I’m eating him. That’s settled.
My question is if the wound is too extreme to heal, as I don’t want my hen to suffer. She is eating, drinking and acting otherwise normal. If she didn’t lift her wings, you would just think she’s molting and looks cold.
The pictures are of the wound, so anyone that has any ideas or thoughts would be welcomed.
I would appreciate it if the posts could stay on the original topic, please.
Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think the hen has a really good chance of healing. I would not trim any skin, but just make sure the ointment gets down into the loose sides of the wound. It should fill in, and the edges could dry up a little and fall off, but as long as you can keep it clean and not dry out, it should be okay. Here are a couple of threads or articles about how well those can heal:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yikes-large-wound-on-hen.1141144/

https://holistic-hen.blogspot.com/2016/07/treating-serious-roostercockerel-wound.html#.Xby_FBopChB

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-wound-from-roosters-spur-graphic-pic.664564/

 

[BarryTheBold]

@Eggcessive Thank you!! I appreciate your help

 

[tn_artist]

Just a question to help me learn, in case I have a similar issue. Would she not heal faster if her wounds were stitched closed?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've seen poultry heal up from some nasty stuff. I generally leave them alone. I only use a wound spray in most instances. Give her time.

 

[Chickinie]

I would have stitched that up... There's so much skin hanging open. It's too late now though, you'll just close in an infection.