HELP! Baby chick scalped *graphic*...update: she didn't make it :(

[Rebel Rooster]

Is there a young rooster in the yard?? If so, he's prolly the culprit. You've already received some great advice on the "first aid"

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Yes there is, but I know it wasn't him. I already know the culprit.

I have three hens, one is broody )the one that hatched out this chick), one is a mother hen with three other chicks that are a week older than this one (which hatched late, yesterday), and the third is the one that has already killed another baby chick when it was hatching. Every chance she gets she attacks one of the babies, which is why I separated her from them completely so this wouldn't happen. I left for the day and told my parents (whom always care for them when I'm away) to specifically keep that hen away from the babies, and keep them all in the coop except for that hen, but somehow they forgot and this is what happens.

As of right now, I have the baby in a box with a heat lamp (not too hot), with a tiny bit of neosporin on her head, as much as I could get on without hurting her even more.

 

[Gersbud]

I had that happen to one of my pheasant chicks. All I did to help it was cleaned the wound with warm water(no scrubbing), place neosporin without pain reliever on his scalped little head. I did this 2 to 3 times a day, kept her inside, warm, and in extra clean bedding. This lasted for about a week or two. She finally got better and while she never did grow very many feathers on her head, she made a full recovery.

Hope you give the chick a chance to show you that she can survive. Chickens can heal from almost anything.
Good Luck.

 

[Rebel Rooster]

Wow... sorry that happened... you've done all that u can... there's nothing to do now but wait.

 

[sadies chicks]

Since the baby can't see right now, make sure there is water nearby, maybe dip its beak in the water so it knows where it is.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[Buugette]

I would probably hold the baby off and on. Keep some kind of contact with it. Let it learn your scent and then give it a cloth with your scent on it when you can't be with it. Neosporin to keep it's head moist and protected. Poly vi sol vitamins without iron to give it a boost. The baby might need some comfort to keep the will to live.

Sorry this has happened. I do hope you can make the tough decision if necessary.

Hope the baby heals.

Diana

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Thanks, that gives me hope for this poor little baby.

I'm definitely giving her a chance. It's the only thing I can do. I'm a vegetarian and all of my chickens are pets that I've raised from baby chicks. Since I started raising them in 2007 I've never had to cull one. If I had to, I would have to have someone else do it for me because I just wouldn't be able to do it myself.

She's still hanging in there...Even if she does survive this, it looks to me like her eyes are either just swollen shut or completely pecked out...I don't know and I don't want to think about it. For all I know, she could be completely blind from now on in one or both eyes, if she survives.
Thanks everyone for the help. My parents are also trained paramedics so that's a little helpful.

 

[yadaguhtoo]

Don't give up! I had a chick that got pecked around her head quite badly once, I did the same thing it sounds like you are and she turned out to be the best chicken I've ever had. She would sit on my shoulder like a parrot after she grew-up. Sending healing thoughts your way

 

[Hawkeye95]

I'm so very, very sorry. Prayer works too. It sounds like you've done everything you can so far. Make sure he's drinking- might have to dip his beak a bit or even try a tiny syringe with water and a bit of sugar. (I was successful with the syringe with my sick turkey)

 

[Jerseycoop]

So heartbreaking

i really hope your little pulls through