Help! Flock pecked hens flesh down to bone

[Chiquens4U]

I have one hen I’ve hatched myself that has always been different from the rest. She used to spin in circles and walk with her head low to the ground. She always done just fine with others sometimes I would need to intervene because she was not getting enough food because of how low she was on the pecking order. The roosters would often take advantage of her and constantly mate her because she was never able to escape.

She had a cut on her lower back from their spurs or nails. It seemed to be doing fine so I payed little attention to it. Today while I was letting them out of the coop to free range her back was much worse. I picked her up to get a closer look and it was so deep and wide I saw her spine/lower tail bone. I started crying because I can’t imagine the pain she was in. I feel like I should have known and never kept her with the others in the first place. I can’t believe in a short time they turned a small cut into a massive open gash hitting bone. I gave her her own small coop with feed, probiotic and Electrolyte Water, and covered her wound so she doesn’t peck at it herself. I know that is not nearly enough but I don’t know how I could possibly disinfect that meat at home. She probably needs a oral antibiotic. I’ve tried vets before but there are none near me and are not open because of Veterans Day.

Any ideas what I should do I feel so bad I can’t even put her out of her misery myself because a experienced friend usually does it for me and I have have never done it. I tried medical tape to shut it because it looks like it would need stitches but it won’t even stick because of her feathers. I have no idea what to do maybe some experienced people will know. Is there anywhere I could get oral antibiotics? I will attach a picture when I go back to check on the wound when it’s not covered.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post pictures of her and the wound? You may spray the wound with chlorhexadene (hibiclens,) saline, or an animal wound spray, such as Vetericyn or Microsyn. Then keep the wound uncovered and apply plain Neosporin ointmnet twice a day. The wound bleeding or being red attracts pecking. She needs to stay separated until she is healed. Later you could put her crate near the others for company when she heals some. As far as antibiotics, amoxicillin may be available in some feed stores for fish as Aqua Mox, and you can find it online. Dosage is 250 mg twice a day given orally for 7 days. Is she eating or drinking?

 

[Shadrach]

I have one hen I’ve hatched myself that has always been different from the rest. She used to spin in circles and walk with her head low to the ground. She always done just fine with others sometimes I would need to intervene because she was not getting enough food because of how low she was on the pecking order. The roosters would often take advantage of her and constantly mate her because she was never able to escape.

She had a cut on her lower back from their spurs or nails. It seemed to be doing fine so I payed little attention to it. Today while I was letting them out of the coop to free range her back was much worse. I picked her up to get a closer look and it was so deep and wide I saw her spine/lower tail bone. I started crying because I can’t imagine the pain she was in. I feel like I should have known and never kept her with the others in the first place. I can’t believe in a short time they turned a small cut into a massive open gash hitting bone. I gave her her own small coop with feed, probiotic and Electrolyte Water, and covered her wound so she doesn’t peck at it herself. I know that is not nearly enough but I don’t know how I could possibly disinfect that meat at home. She probably needs a oral antibiotic. I’ve tried vets before but there are none near me and are not open because of Veterans Day.

Any ideas what I should do I feel so bad I can’t even put her out of her misery myself because a experienced friend usually does it for me and I have have never done it. I tried medical tape to shut it because it looks like it would need stitches but it won’t even stick because of her feathers. I have no idea what to do maybe some experienced people will know. Is there anywhere I could get oral antibiotics? I will attach a picture when I go back to check on the wound when it’s not covered.

The good news is chickens are resiliant even when badly injured. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice on how to treat her.
Two recommendations for the wound/s treatment. Buy some Chlorhexedine antispectic spray/liquid and treat the wounds with this before you apply antibiotic liquid.
If you can find a product called Metacam or the equivelant then give her that for the pain. The dosage usually comes with the drug.

This is the difficult bit. I don't think, things having got as far as they have, that you can put her back with the flock. You can try but I think you should consider what to do if they attack her again before it happens again, if it happens again.

 

[Eggcessive]

I believe the metacam (meloxicam) is only available by prescription from a vet. They sometimes prescribe it for dogs for pain.

 

[Tonyroo]

She will heal with proper first aid, the most important part is to reduce the bacteria on her flesh and exposed bone. This will help to hold back on the infection if one should occur. She definitely needs rest from her injuries.

 

[Chiquens4U]

Can you post pictures of her and the wound? You may spray the wound with chlorhexadene (hibiclens,) saline, or an animal wound spray, such as Vetericyn or Microsyn. Then keep the wound uncovered and apply plain Neosporin ointmnet twice a day. The wound bleeding or being red attracts pecking. She needs to stay separated until she is healed. Later you could put her crate near the others for company when she heals some. As far as antibiotics, amoxicillin may be available in some feed stores for fish as Aqua Mox, and you can find it online. Dosage is 250 mg twice a day given orally for 7 days. Is she eating or drinking?

I did put vetericyn and non-mediated neosporin that’s what I have so far. I also have hydrogen peroxide not sure if I should use it. I will definitely look into these drug options, thank you! Also if I leave the wound open raw will it get fly strike? Yes, she is eating and drinking thankfully.

 

[Tonyroo]

For the hydrogen peroxide put it in a clean spray bottle. When cleaning the wound the following day, spray the wound to drench it, wait for a minute, then use a clean hand towel to dab up the moisture. Repeat one more time. If you see any foaming occurring that's bacteria dying. Once it's semi dry, apply a semi thick layer of neosporin. And let her rest. It should heal completely in about 4 days.

 

[TinaandJohnny]

I have one hen I’ve hatched myself that has always been different from the rest. She used to spin in circles and walk with her head low to the ground. She always done just fine with others sometimes I would need to intervene because she was not getting enough food because of how low she was on the pecking order. The roosters would often take advantage of her and constantly mate her because she was never able to escape.

She had a cut on her lower back from their spurs or nails. It seemed to be doing fine so I payed little attention to it. Today while I was letting them out of the coop to free range her back was much worse. I picked her up to get a closer look and it was so deep and wide I saw her spine/lower tail bone. I started crying because I can’t imagine the pain she was in. I feel like I should have known and never kept her with the others in the first place. I can’t believe in a short time they turned a small cut into a massive open gash hitting bone. I gave her her own small coop with feed, probiotic and Electrolyte Water, and covered her wound so she doesn’t peck at it herself. I know that is not nearly enough but I don’t know how I could possibly disinfect that meat at home. She probably needs a oral antibiotic. I’ve tried vets before but there are none near me and are not open because of Veterans Day.

Any ideas what I should do I feel so bad I can’t even put her out of her misery myself because a experienced friend usually does it for me and I have have never done it. I tried medical tape to shut it because it looks like it would need stitches but it won’t even stick because of her feathers. I have no idea what to do maybe some experienced people will know. Is there anywhere I could get oral antibiotics? I will attach a picture when I go back to check on the wound when it’s not covered.

I just read your post and I am so sorry. It sucks when your babies get unexpectedly hurt like this. I will tell you a quick story about my chicken Penny. She basically got attacked by a fox or coyote, got her rear torn out, a nice big chunk. (Her egg layer area)

 

[TinaandJohnny]

I just read your post and I am so sorry. It sucks when your babies get unexpectedly hurt like this. I will tell you a quick story about my chicken Penny. She basically got attacked by a fox or coyote, got her rear torn out, a nice big chunk. (Her egg layer area)

I just read your post and I am so sorry. It sucks when your babies get unexpectedly hurt like this. I will tell you a quick story about my chicken Penny. She basically got attacked by a fox or coyote, got her rear torn out, a nice big chunk. (Her egg layer area)

And we cleaned it really well, and kept her in the house, ended up living a long and heathy life. (Currently still alive) but on a friends farm. The fox or coyote next got out rooster so we gave her away to keep her safe. They are ruthless and strong animals. Keep her clean, and warm. Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's actually not bacteria dying that causes the foaming, it's cells exploding. This is from USA Today, 2/24/22, Dr. Michael Daignault:

While you may think you are thoroughly cleaning your wound, you are causing corrosive tissue damage, significantly impairing the healing process, and irreversibly worsen the scarring process. Severe toxicity from skin application could include inflammation and blistering.