HELP!!! chicken with flap of skin hanging, what to do?

[amynrichie]

I had this same thing happen on a hen's back. I cleaned it with betadine, and used a wound cream liberally. Use triple antibiotic if you have it. I used mane and tail pro tect. You don't have to worry about the skin flap. When it dried up, I just trimmed it back. she will regrow skin and feathers. I kept her separated about 4-5 days.

 

[mandarin1]

Okay, great. I cleaned the wound with betadine and then I put cornstarch for the bleeding and then blue kote and then I had to apply more cornstarch as she started bleeding again and then it finally stopped. This morning I reglued the skin flap and I did another betadine wash and applied neosporin all over and I've also been giving her pain killer and electrolytes in her drinking water and then of course she is separated from the flock. From everything I've been told I think I'm on the right track for her recovery and I appreciate the advice! I haven't had to deal with this before, so I've been a nervous wreck with the whole situation, but with everyone's help and information I'm more at ease with everything. I hope I don't have this happen again, I feel so bad for her!

 

[amynrichie]

The electrolytes are a good idea.

Also, I really would not pursue the super glue anymore at this point. Even if you are successful at sealing the skin flap, you are potentially sealing infectious organisms INSIDE the wound. You would be better off cleaning, using the neosporin, and just waiting for the skin flap to dry up and fall/ cut off.

 

[mandarin1]

Thank you so much for your advice and the warning, hopefully that doesn't happen.

I don't have the flap sealed up super tight or anything, it's more or less in place so that it wasn't hanging down where she was walking on it and also to cover up her breast meat some. The section of skin that is missing is under her wing, so her wing kind of covers it and please correct me if I'm wrong, but with that piece of skin missing right next to the flap of skin if by chance she does get an infection it wouldn't be completely sealed in and would have a place to go since there is a section that is not covered by skin at all? Also, just for future reference if it does become infected under the flap would I need to cut away where I have the glue holding it to let it "breathe"? I haven't seen any flies or anything like that buzzing around her or anything as of yet, so hopefully that's a good sign even though it's only been one day so far. Do you think it would be beneficial maybe to just unseal a small part of where I had it glued to be safe or just leave it alone and see what happens?

 

[amynrichie]

Just leave it alone. I wouldn't unstick anything that's stuck. With my girl, the dead skin flap pretty much came off after a few days. I was too hesitant to trim it until it was good and dry.
Poor girl! She really should do ok though. Hang in there, you're doing great!

 

[mandarin1]

Okay, I will definitely leave it alone then. I'm sorry that you had to go through this too, it's terrible! I agree that you shouldn't trim off any skin that wasn't dead and dried up, otherwise I think it would just be more pain for her. I appreciate all the support, I've had a rough spring with my chickens. This is the fourth injury I've had to deal with so far. I had one that had a cut on it's head (not too bad though and it healed up nicely) a rooster that broke his beak somehow (is still healing), a young pullet that all of a sudden wasn't able to walk and then was getting walked on (I now have her walking again, thank goodness) and now this poor hen. It must be something in the water, because I have never had such a hard time with my birds and these are all firsts for me

 

[amynrichie]

Okay, I will definitely leave it alone then. I'm sorry that you had to go through this too, it's terrible! I agree that you shouldn't trim off any skin that wasn't dead and dried up, otherwise I think it would just be more pain for her. I appreciate all the support, I've had a rough spring with my chickens. This is the fourth injury I've had to deal with so far. I had one that had a cut on it's head (not too bad though and it healed up nicely) a rooster that broke his beak somehow (is still healing), a young pullet that all of a sudden wasn't able to walk and then was getting walked on (I now have her walking again, thank goodness) and now this poor hen. It must be something in the water, because I have never had such a hard time with my birds and these are all firsts for me

This just isn't your year!!!

 

[AHotchick]

HI All,
I had a racoon attack the coop - lost one and had 3 injured. 2 had relatively minor "stabbing" injuries and one severe.
As we were in the car packed for a week vacation at the time I discovered the disaster and i have a 15 yr old neighbor's son who cares for them when we're away. I was left with the decision to end the suffering of the most injured so he didn't have to worry about it and she wouldn't suffer.
HOWEVER i couldn't bring myself to do it as beyond that she had NO SKIN on her breast or neck, she seemed totally FINE.

Everyone says they're resilient birds, but WOW. Thought you'd enjoy some pics and the "care protocals". (that a 15yr old with no experience - managed).
- I could not seperate her given i was going to be away... so she and the 2 other injured birds were not seperated - no heat lamps, out in all weather etc.

* Day 1 Physical Bird care - Tractor Supply run for: Rooster Booster Poultry Wound Spray, Blu Kote & Laytex gloves!!
Noon & 5pm (reminder she had NO SKIN) Spray Wound spray, let soak in and dry a bit then apply Blu Kote
- Repeat 2 times a day until injury heals


- Day 1 Additional Care Options:
* Added Apple Cider Vinegar to water (2 Tblsp @ 3 Gal)
* Added a Bunch of Grass/Clover etc
* Added a wheelbarrow of new compost and mulch - it had been rainy and a bit wet/mushy (wanted to dry it a bit to reduce spread of muck to injuries)

It's now day 12 and it's just a very hard spot - still no feathers - still has a ways to go but I forsee she'll make it.

- HC

 

[mandarin1]

Wow, I'm so glad she was able to recover from that, her injury looked terrible!! It makes me think my girl isn't so bad off after seeing those picture, thank you for sharing!

 

[amynrichie]

Wow, I'm so glad she was able to recover from that, her injury looked terrible!!  It makes me think my girl isn't so bad off after seeing those picture, thank you for sharing!

How is your bird?