Head Pecked Raw Please Help Me !

[Jyester]

Hi my name is Jason and I have just registered here hoping someone with experience may help me. My mum has decided to raise Polish chickens and has two which are 4 weeks and another two which are 2 weeks which came out of her incubator.

Here is the horrible part my mum decided to go on holiday and asked me if I could look after her chicks for a week. I was told simply to make sure there was food and water and give them some dried worms from time to time and they would be no bother. So this morning I left them out in the utility room with food and water and I have came home from work to see that one of the little ones has had all off its head feathers pecked out and its head is now red raw and bleeding which looks very painful.

I then watched for five minutes and noticed one of the bigger ones was pecking at his head whilst the little one did nothing although the strange thing is one of the smaller ones doesnt except this and retaliates when they try so the big ones leave that other one alone (i thought maybe he was stronger willed or something as he doesn't take any of there crap?)

Obviously I am a complete noob thrown in at the deep end here and I am now quite sad about the conditon of the little ones head and worried he/she will now die if I dont dissinfect or treat it somehow.

Now being a complete noob the thought of putting some savlon on its head and then obviously seperating the wee one after that occured to me but I thought I would join a forum and ask some experts for advice before I did anything. This morning when I left there was a full head of hair and now it all gone just a large red patch remains

 

[mommyof5]

So sorry for your intro to the dominance order. We also have a couple of polish and while very cute, those little top nots are a pecking draw. I use the topical spray called hot pick. Its a mixture of soap and different spices and really cuts down on the pecking. Try calling a few of the local stores that specialize in exotic birds they should carry this or a comparable brand.
Sounds like you are doing your best, just make sure he stays warm and gets plenty to eat and drink. Good luck

 

[MandyH]

Seperate the chick so there is no more bullying. I clean the area with an Iodine solution, then spray with Blu-Kote. Both are available at feed stores. Good Luck and Welcome aboard.

 

[mommyof5]

Sorry forgot to mention separate both little ones. They hate being alone and as long as the other small one lets the sore little ones head alone your binged one will be much happier.

 

[Jyester]

ok well i am impressed at such a quick response so thank you very much indeed .... it's surprising to see that a forum about chickens is so busy and that there are so many people passionate about these birds.

I have now separated the two little ones and given them a separate supply of chick crum and water... i have been watching the other little one and so far he doesn't seem to be carniverous or vampiric like the other big one who has a thirst for blood it seems. I find this very strange that baby chickens would cause such serious and horrible injury to each other as yesterday I left them alone and they were all fine together could it possibly be boredom or lack of food that causes this?

Anyway I shall try to find the iodine based solution you told me about and fingers crossed it doesn't die as i do quite like the little one who my mum says is a Chamois or Buff Laced.

I did give the big one a poke in the head a few times to give him a taste of his own medicine ( I assume it's a boy) and since that he has stayed well away from me so hopefully now that one knows how it feels.

thanks again for your quick response and advice I appreciate it !

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Put some items in with the chicks to distract them from picking on each other like a mirror, toys with shiny parts on them, clumps of sod for them to peck at and eat, roosts of differing sizes for them to climb on like flat rocks, boxes, etc.

Good luck with the little ones.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

wish it could have been under happier circumstances! I agree with what has been told you by the other members, clean the wound, apply Blue-Kote or ? good food, & water, separate from the meany and lots of good luck for your chickie!

 

[farmin'chick]

If you don't have access to a farm store, or they don't sell Blu-Kote where you are, I have successfully used triple antibiotic ointment (a salve for people) on my chicks, even one that got scalped. She has recovered nicely.

 

[Biddieacres]

I have gone through it. I feel so bad for you. She has to be separated. I washed it and used Neosporin.

I separated her but with a hen who wasn't pecking so that she would have company. Well, that hen was curious and pecking at it too!!! Not badly so I kept them together as long as she had her saddle on. Since you are dealing with the head the saddle won't be of use. Keep washing. If you use blu-kote, I was told not to eat her eggs, you don't have to worry since yours is a chick. Never use anything with "Caine" in the ingredients. It can kill birds. i.e. lidocaine, benzocaine..etc. The problem is if they taste blood they never stop. This is what I was told. I had to separate her permanently from the others.

Neosporin is best. Good luck with the poor chick.

 

[buddy#2]

Giving them someting to do is a great idea as someone has already mentioned. Chickens can survive outside free ranging. I have in the past pulled grass, dandelions and other pieces of the yard and threw in with them. Its all nutri. and gives them something to scratch around in. Also I have had chicks still without feathers taking dust baths. Its the cutest thing to watch. Maybe a little pile of dirt would help too. Hope this helps