Head injury being pecked

[carolinasculpture]

Hello! We have a Buff Orpington, about a year old. She is pretty low on the pecking order and recently has started sleeping outside of the coop. I am not sure if something got a hold of her head or if she got tangled in the net, but either way, she has an open wound near her eyes. It seems the others had been pecking at it. I found her and her injury around 9am, separated her and put betadine/iodine on the affected area. Put her in the coop in a separate area for the night. The wound is pretty deep, but not to the bone, maybe 2” long. Anything else I can do for her? Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You need to figure out why she's suddenly being pecked. Most often it's crowding, stress, boredom or a protein deficiency. Sometimes a sick hen will be targeted too. I would separate out the pecked one within sight of the flock until you figure out what's going on before she gets pecked to death.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use some plain neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment on the wound twice a day as well. Can you post any pictures? Can you place her back in the coop or run with the others in a dog crate with her own food and water? I would be concerned that she may have been attacked by a predator, she may have been injured on something sharp, or that the chickens did that to her. Chickens shouldn’t be alowed to sleep outside an unlocked coop at night, even if you have to place them inside on the roost at night. Many low pecking chickens will wait until dusk before going inside, but they do go inside normally. They could be bullying her, or there could be something getting inside that scares her. Too many different predators will go after chickens. Does she seem to be able to see food and water, and to walk normally?

 

[carolinasculpture]

Yes, I believe they are pecking her due to the injury. I will do the triple antibiotic twice a day! She does look much better this morning. My run has three sections. She is in one of two the smaller sections by herself with food, water, scratch and a handful of mealworms. They can see and hear her, but not peck at her injury. I am hoping that she will continue to heal in peace. Thank you!!! Will try to get a pic later...