Help--Fast--chickens got pecked very badly on scalp (more inside)...

[krv]

I have two black cochin bantams that are 9 weeks old. I put them in a rabbit cage last night to stay there for the night and I didn't realize that a standard size black star hen was in there. My cochins got pecked very, very badly on their scalps all the way down to their bones. They are still alive and are eating, but they are bleeding (the blood is not running all over, it is just on the scalp.) They are also not so perky. They could just be in shock, but I don't know. What do I need to do to help their skin grow back and to heal right with no infection?

krv

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

They are in shock.

Put some antibacterial on their wounds.
Do you have any blue kote to apply?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Keep them separated from the others and clean the wounds with some peroxide on a cotton ball. Chickens heal very quickly but others will continue to peck at the wounds if they aren't kept separated.

You could also try giving them a little sugar water to help perk them back up. Hope they are ok!

 

[krv]

LinckHillPoultry wrote:
"Put some antibacterial on their wounds.
Do you have any blue kote to apply?"

I have some peroxide and antibacterial cream I can put on them, but will they peck on each other and eat the cream? Will it hurt them if they did?

Also, what is blue kote and where can I get some?

LilRalphieRoosmama wrote:
"Keep them separated from the others and clean the wounds with some peroxide on a cotton ball."

This is what I thought about doing first.

Will their skin grow back quickly? Also, how often do I need to use peroxide and antibiotic cream on them?
krv

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

We only used antibacterial ointment once on a hen with a very bad vent. For normal picking, we just use the peroxide and they seem to heal just fine. We only put it on when the wound is open. Once it scabs over, we leave it be. If it breaks open again, more peroxide. Deep wounds will take a few weeks to thoroughly heal. Just keep a close eye on them. If the wound starts to look nasty, then use the antibacterial ointment. They might peck at each other so be prepared to separate them even further if that happens. I don't think either the ointment or peroxide will hurt them if they eat it. Just don't glob it on heavy.

We've never used Blu-Kote but I've seen it in hatchery catalogs.

 

[krv]

"Deep wounds will take a few weeks to thoroughly heal.
Just don't glob it on heavy."

Their wounds are definitely deep wounds. Their wounds are about the size of a quarter and they go down to their skull. Can wounds heal if they are down to the skull?

I put peroxide and antibiotic cream on them so hopefully they will heal, but they are still in shock. But they do eat on their own and my son gave them some honey. I may give them some sugar water later.

Anymore advice is appreciated.

krv

 

[tiki244]

there is also a vitamin and mineral supplement you should be able to give them at a farm store nearby. It has glucose and good bacteria in it. Yoghurt works for good bacteria. There should be a wealth of information on the search button for wounds