Emergency - Accidentally Stepped on Head

[SilberHenne]

One of my young pullets just ran underneath me chasing food, and I caught her head/neck when I accidentally stepped on her. She's alive, but immediately started writhing and blood came out of one of her nostrils. She's holding her eyes closed, but opens them periodically, and can't seem to hold herself up. I worry she may have head trauma or a neck injury. I'm freaking out. What do you all recommend?

 

[danceswithronin]

Sounds kind of like a skull fracture or something like that. Can you post pics?

 

[SilberHenne]

Sounds kind of like a skull fracture or something like that. Can you post pics?

No visible injuries.

 

[Norcal527]

Poor little thing...I'm so sorry. Accidents happen...I hope she pulls through. Sorry I dont have advice but fingers crossed for you ♡

 

[chickenpeeple]

does she move much?

 

[cleoandtheflock]

@Eggcessive @casportpony @Wyorp Rock what do you think is wrong?

 

[SilberHenne]

Thank you. My heart is breaking for her.

She for the most part is just lying still on her side. She heard her sisters outside and did open her eyes, move her head and neck in their direction, and ocassionally will look at us. If we try to move her she flaps her wings and has been stretching her legs out.

 

[danceswithronin]

I'm so, so sorry that this happened to you. It's just one of those freak things.

A few years ago my one year-old dog got her collar caught on a scrolled wrought iron patio table leg at night after my family had gone to bed and strangled herself with it, toppling the table in her panic to get away. My dad found her hung the next day. She had been gone for hours. It traumatized my other dogs.

My boss had her son's pug accidentally suffocate itself in a margarine tub of scraps while she was babysitting the dog for him on his vacation.

If you look on these forums you'll see all kinds of random accidents or completely sporadic incidences with predators that result in the injury of a chicken or other poultry, even the decimation of an entire flock. And it's nobody's fault, things like this just happen in the course of animal husbandry. Animals are unpredictable and difficult to manage sometimes.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am so sorry this accident happened. My chickens have always gotten under my feet when they think I have some treats. I hope that she recovers. I would just offer supportive care, and do what you can. The blood coming from the nostril is worrysome, and not a good sign. Don’t beat yourself up over this.

 

[SilberHenne]

I am so sorry this accident happened. My chickens have always gotten under my feet when they think I have some treats. I hope that she recovers. I would just offer supportive care, and do what you can. The blood coming from the nostril is worrysome, and not a good sign. Don’t beat yourself up over this.

Thank you. Is there a painkiller I could be giving her? We don't keep meds at the house, but I can run to the drugstore if there is something particular to help her. She's still just a baby.

The bleeding did stop almost immediately, but I know their little skulls are so fragile.