Comb torn & bloody

[cozycoop1314]

Hi so I heard a commotion out by my chickens & I went out and found one of mine with a good cut/tear by the base of their comb near the back. Don't know if she got pecked or got it caught on something.

Anyways, it wasn't too bad and my other 2 didn't seemake to even see it, couldn't see much red with her black feathers. Well, someone obviously pecked at it, bc it was worse about an hr later. I separated her & cleaned her off with washcloth & warm water.

Couple questions:
1- what do I do at night? They have a huge enclosure that I just separated while they're out today, but at night, what to do? Put her in the coop with them? It's dark in there so the can't see the red blood...

2-why this might have happened? They've always been so great, no big pecking order stuff, they all just kinda fell into their rolls. So why now would there suddenly be pecking (if that was the original cause of injury)? They are about 4 months old, getting red in their combs, probably close to laying? Is this a normal time for pecking order drama? We had a chicken die a week ago over night out of nowhere, not sick, no injuries, just had a heart attack or something over night...could losing a chicken create pecking?

3-what to do to care for her? Pics attached

 

[cozycoop1314]

 

[cozycoop1314]

 

[cozycoop1314]

Before i got her cleaned up

looks so scary & bad

 

[cozycoop1314]

Anyone?? Help!

 

[Eggcessive]

The death would have caused a reorganization of their pecking order for sure. I would place her in a crate overnight in the coop. Then let everyone out tomorrow morning and stay ther to watch them. You may see more pecking or find a bully. All it takes to get pecked is to go to the food or water first. Make sure they all go outside. I don't know how much time you can spend with them, but I would keep an eye on them. Combs are red, so when the blood is dry, there shouldn't be a need for BluKote, but you could use some neosporin, Vetericyn, or BluKote on the comb. I usually use nothing on a bloody comb. Blood can be scary, but with pressure on the wound for 2-3 minutes, or a little flour or blood stop powder, it will usually stop. If you think she needs separation in a crate for more than overnight, just make sure that she stays in view of the flock.

 

[cozycoop1314]

Thank you! Yeah the blood looks pretty dry right now. I have only 3 chickens so it'll be easy to pick out who the culprit is....though oddly the one I suspect is her BFF. The injured one has always been our bottom in the order, so I didn't think there'd be need for pecKing but then again that's human logic I guess.

I'm not sure if I have a crate small enough for inside the coop, just have a dog crate. In their yard I have it separated into two areas. Should I do the dog crates in the garage?

Tomorrow I should try all together just keep an eye out...if any pecking at her comb should I divide it again for another day? They can see each other, just can't peck.

 

[cozycoop1314]

 

[Eggcessive]

Just use your own judgement. Pecking is not bad as long as it doesn't get out of hand. That's just the way they communicate. I have had broody hens out of the flock for 5-7 days while being broke, and they will get pecked some when they go back in. Just curious, was thee hen that died, the top in the pecking order?

 

[cozycoop1314]

She was second. The top one is still there. Basically the other 2 left have been BFFs (barred rock & buff), my barred rock (who was bloody today)has always been bottom. My Buff (who I think pecked her) was basically just above her...like I said, it's also possibly she injured it on the chicken wire (1 spot has a little bit of rough edge) & then maybe was pecked bc of just the blood being there. Tonight before going in their coop I let them hang out and eat with me right there & they were all total buds...so who knows!