Dead skin on earlobe - do I cut it?

[Mary_C]

Hello All -

This afternoon we went out to find our 22 week old buff orp. with a chunk of her earlobe hanging off and blackened. It looks like she caught it on something and I'm sure the others pecked at it. We know to clean it well with saline, and I have vetericyn to spray it with (or silvadene - probably not spelling that right - if someone thinks that is better) but at this point, we are wondering if we should cut it off? It looks like the wound itself is dried, and I'm hesitant to cut it when 1) it'll create a fresh cut and 2) it'll hurt, and I'd rather avoid stressing her out more and creating a new risk for infection if I don't have to. Will it fall off on it's own if I leave it? And if yes, any idea how long that might take? I don't want to put her back in with the others with it hanging because I know they'll peck at it, but don't want to keep her separated for two weeks if it's unnecesary. We have a place to keep her but it is not somewhere that she'll be able to see the other girls, and I know isolating her stresses her out and means we'll have to reintroduce her. She seems to be feeling fine, she's eating and pooping, and is perky and chatting along. I've attached pics - the feathers under are only dark because we'd just cleaned it. There doesn't seem to be any blood outside of the wound itself and the dead skin.

Thank you for any advice!! This is our first flock so of course I'm second-guessing everything!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would leave it be. It will heal up pretty quickly.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Mary_C,

I agree with oldhenlikesdogs.

Yup, looks like dried blood and dried up dead tissue. Should fall off on its own. As long as you don't smell anything foul, keep on doing what you have been doing.

God Bless

 

[Mary_C]

Thank you so much for your replies! I apologize for the delay in thanking everyone - I had thought I posted this on Saturday but it must not have gone through!

We just cleaned it well and have let it be (which keeping an eye on it) and it looks good - not worse, swollen or infected looking!

It isn't getting as much negative attention from the other ladies as I'd been worried about, which is a relief! Now I'm just patiently waiting for it to fall off!

You are the only group of people that can appreciate me spending time watching and waiting for dead skin to fall off my chicken's earlobe.

Thank you again!!!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You are doing a great job!

As long as there is no infection, swelling, etc., just be patient and vigilant.

I am waiting for a large scab to fall off of my rooster, while I am tempted to pick some off, I know it can start to bleed. That could invite the attention of the other chickens, or even infection. So patience is a virtue at this point.