Exposed skull... should I worry?

[TexasVet]

One of my hens with a nasty temper pecked a chick on the head and took out a chunk. I doctored the wound, and it healed all the way around, but now the skull (bare bone) is exposed right on top of it's head. It acts, eats, and looks like all the other chicks, except for the bony spot.

Do you think the skin will ever grow over? If not, should I put the chick down or let it live out life as a baldie? Make a little chicken hat for it, maybe?

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

PS: I'll see if I can get a pic to post.

 

[Sillystunt]

just leave it! Make sure it's not infected and make a hair piece for it hahahah

 

[Waldo]

We had a BO that had the same bald head from being pecked. The skull was also showing bad. It has taken almost 3 months, but it has healed and feathers are growing as the skin grows slowly back. She is almost ready to lay.

 

[TexasVet]

Oh good, there's hope then. I just went out to try to take a picture, but couldn't locate the little toot. When I see it, I don't have my camera, and when I have my camera I don't see it. I have about 90 chicks, so it's nearly impossible to find the ONE you want to see!

As long as the wound isn't infected (it isn't), and it seems healthy, I'm just going to play "wait and see." My biggest fear was that the blistering sun we've had lately would fry its little brain!

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

Do I have 90? Let's see, I hatched 30, then another 20, got 30 from Ideal, and hatched 40 more. That would bring the total up to... counting on fingers and toes... 120! And I have a banty sitting on 6 more.

 

[chickensioux]

I think that it will slowly granulate in. When there is that much tissue loss, it will take a long time to close. Just keep an eye on it for any infection. You can also rub vitamin E on it which is good for decreasing scarring. Good luck.

 

[jadeflower999]

We had a duckling with a good sized hole pecked so his brain was sticking out and it healed and he grew feathers over it. Let it live