fuzzi's Chicken Journal

I will have to check, I don't usually have antibiotics on hand, as I'm allergic to all of them, and sulfa. I could use gloves to apply antibiotics, my allergic reactions weren't life-threatening.

What do you recommend?
Ooof!

Yes, definitely use your gloves for the neosporin, etc.

When I read this, I thought - o.k. Colloidal Silver. I do not know much at all about alternative treatments/methods, but do know that some use it. I also knew @Hen Pen Jem and Coach723 both have written about its use. Looking at some of their posts, they still seem to recommend using it in conjunction with "something else" like neosporin, etc., instead of alone. It would be a complimentary type of treatment I suppose. The best thread I've found where both of these ladies have given info is this one https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/colloidal-silver-dosage.1277070/
But if you search colloidal silver and put in the username you'll find numerous other threads. Hen Pen Jem hasn't been on since January, so, but she always had good info. Coach is active is you wish to reach out to her, I'm sure she'll give you her support and suggestions.

I had thought about separation too, but if Tamar is getting on o.k. and eating/drinking, not getting picked at, then personally I'd leave her for now. You're right, it's hot and humid, separation even within the run/coop can be stressful and since she's low in order may not fare as well being separated as say a top hen or rooster.

BUT!! If you do speak with your vet and get any type of antibiotic to give orally/by injection, etc. You probably need to separate her to collect her eggs so you can toss them unless you know without a shadow of doubt which egg is hers - but with you being allergic to all antibiotics, you do not want to eat her eggs period for a good while. Depending on which antibiotic, the throw away period may be from 14 days after last dose on up to 75 or so. Not all antibiotics have been studied (takes funds) to get an "official" withdrawal period. Most medications exit the body fairly quickly - but with an allergy, you want to be very cautious. I can't do Sulfa drugs, so oh boy, I avoid that, but if I had to use them for a hen, then I'd toss those eggs for a few months - just sayin'.

Do the best you can. The wound doesn't look infected from what I see in the photos. You don't detect an odor. She's eating/drinking and interacting but still limiting some activity but that's normal with an injury.

An injury like this is concerning, it can be hard to know which way it will go. She may heal up beautifully in time with daily care like you are doing - seems like she's holding her own for now. There's a worry that it could take a bad turn, so this is why I ask about meds to have on hand just in case, but they may not be needed.
 
I have collodial silver. It's several years old, I don't think it would spoil?

I asked my son for assistance, to photograph underneath Tamar's wing while I held her. After catching her I opened up the wing. Sniff test, nothing smells rotting, infected.

After he took some photos I swabbed the area with Hibiclens again, opened the wing a little more, had him take a couple more. I wish they were clearer, but the sniff test gives me some hope.
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After Hibiclens
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The pink thing is a gauze pad soaked with Hibiclens.
 

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And on a happy note, Naomi brought her brood out into the run at some point today, mid-morning.

One of the chicks found an opening under the wood frame, where the hens have scratched holes. It was cheeping in distress, protected from the world by hardware cloth, but unable to find its way back to its mom.

It was under the wire, here.
20250628_131441~2.jpg

I was prepared to remove the screws and fender washers to rescue the chick. However, with a little digging on the inside and a few pokes in the bum with a twig to move it, the chick eventually found its original escape hole and went back into the coop.

20250628_152157~2.jpg

Looks like she's giving them a lecture!

They all got pretty ID anklets, made with tiny zipties. I replace them as they grow.

Oops, another place blocked off!
20250628_131040.jpg

In a few days they'll be too big to access the holes, which are sealed off on the outside with hardware cloth.

20250628_172213~2.jpg


After I treated Tamar I was standing and watching the chicks when Silas decided to investigate. One of the chicks went up to Silas, who gave it a pretty hard peck. As the chick turned and ran to mom Naomi threw out her wings, flipped her tail skyward, fluffed herself up, and started making threats! Silas retreated.
:yesss:

Suppertime, crumble mash:
 
I was thinking about isolation due to possible harassment or rooster mating. It's great that there is no worry about harassment. I do believe your current arrangement is good given the heat. I was trying to throw ideas out there.

We once had a hen suffered fairly bad injury. It was ignored for days because we were new chicken parents. She eventually recovered and she is our princess Light! I wish Tamar the same luck!
 
And on a happy note, Naomi brought her brood out into the run at some point today, mid-morning.

One of the chicks found an opening under the wood frame, where the hens have scratched holes. It was cheeping in distress, protected from the world by hardware cloth, but unable to find its way back to its mom.

It was under the wire, here.
View attachment 4160767
I was prepared to remove the screws and fender washers to rescue the chick. However, with a little digging on the inside and a few pokes in the bum with a twig to move it, the chick eventually found its original escape hole and went back into the coop.

View attachment 4160766
Looks like she's giving them a lecture!

They all got pretty ID anklets, made with tiny zipties. I replace them as they grow.

Oops, another place blocked off!
View attachment 4160769
In a few days they'll be too big to access the holes, which are sealed off on the outside with hardware cloth.

View attachment 4160772

After I treated Tamar I was standing and watching the chicks when Silas decided to investigate. One of the chicks went up to Silas, who gave it a pretty hard peck. As the chick turned and ran to mom Naomi threw out her wings, flipped her tail skyward, fluffed herself up, and started making threats! Silas retreated.
:yesss:

Suppertime, crumble mash:
I love the 2nd photo so much! I'm so happy that you were able to find bantam chicks at a close by tractor supply.
 
I was thinking about isolation due to possible harassment or rooster mating. It's great that there is no worry about harassment. I do believe your current arrangement is good given the heat. I was trying to throw ideas out there.

We once had a hen suffered fairly bad injury. It was ignored for days because we were new chicken parents. She eventually recovered and she is our princess Light! I wish Tamar the same luck!
And I appreciated your ideas, you've been so helpful since I joined BYC.
:hugs
 

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