Head pecking

[Ladybugteacher]

I also have a problem with my older hens pecking the smallest chicken, now she has a head wound. I hate to separate her because she is stressed being away form her younger friends, but her head is bleeding and i do not know if i should give her antibiotics to help the wounds heal. Do they have little chicken hats? Any advice would be great.

 

[GitaBooks]

Pecking the head is a way for hens to establish dominance, but sometimes they over do it. Roosters also sometimes injure hens heads when trying to keep their balance during breeding. I hear that antibiotics ointment or blue cote work well.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-treat-cuts-and-wounds-in-chickens.html

Best of luck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have always used bluekote, I put them back with it wet because it can attract pecking, but it tastes awful apparently, and they get the message real quick, reapply as necessary, keep applying until no skin shows, don't get in eyes, use dish soap to get it off your hands. I wouldn't worry about antibiotics, too many people over use antibiotics.

 

[aart]

I have always used bluekote, I put them back with it wet because it can attract pecking, but it tastes awful apparently, and they get the message real quick, reapply as necessary, keep applying until no skin shows, don't get in eyes, use dish soap to get it off your hands. I wouldn't worry about antibiotics, too many people over use antibiotics.

Ditto Dat^^^^

Except the dish soap getting it off your hands...i don't think anything takes that stuff off the skin except time and multiple washings.

If you have the spray blukote, I've found that spraying into a small cup(take out condiment cup) and using a qtip or small paintbrush to apply to wound can really limit the mess and misapplication(chicken eyes).