Help hen badly wounded I mean really bad!!! UPDATE!!

[SIMPleChick]

Good luck. Keep it as clean as you can, keep her seperate from the others, keep poop out of her pen, and somewhere soft for her to lay. xoxoxo

 

[ACraZyLittLeChiCkenGirl]

ight i see that I need to make some changes... ill take some pictures and post some!!! thanks so much for the help guys and keep coming with the info trust me it is needed!!

 

[Southern Bee Lady]

I had a hen that was cut from her back to below her thigh-probably 4" long and deep. I did not find it until several hours after she was attacked (probably a hawk). The skin was to dry and to far apart to sew up. I washed it in betadine and water, packed it with antibiotic ointment. I kept her in the house in a pet carrier for a couple of days. I just watched it for infection and applied ointment for several days. I did not put a heat lamp on her since she was inside. I was amazed at how the wound healed. She grew skin and feathers back over that area. The scabs took care of themselves. It took several weeks for it to heal completely. (The bruising looked almost green but was not infection.)
Since this happened, I will not panic when and if one gets a bad cut again. I will clean, apply antibiotic ointment and watch for any signs of infection. If I see any signs of infection, I will start an antibiotic immediately.
Good luck with yours.

 

[ChickenCrazed]

Peroxide can safely be used to kill bacteria and to remove dead tissue from a wound (debridement)...Peroxide can kill good tissue as well as the dead tissue but it is important to get rid of the harmful bacteria...After I use the Peroxide for the first initial cleaning I use an Iodine/water mixture to flush wounds...

 

[ACraZyLittLeChiCkenGirl]

i jus want her better!!! plan on taking good care of her till she heals!!! thanks guys keep the advice coming!

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

Sorry I was working and didn't get back to you. It just takes longer for open wound to heal if you don't sew them up. I have sewn up chickens for 20 yrs. and all always heal. The whole issue is getting black tissue and scabs all out of wound so will have only good tissue in there.l I don't have hurt chicken very often anymore but if I get one that I sew I will take pictures to show. Fairly easy clean clean and clean wounds. Rule of thumb chickens get 1 cc of penicillin under skin on breast and real large chicken 1 1/2 cc of penicillen under skin on breast. Soften wounds with antibiotic ointment and some kind of dressing coban is really awesome doesn't stick to feathers. I have never had chicken remove her own sutures. They are usually thankful for care. I have had many I am sure would not have healed if I hadnt' sewn them up. They loose fluids and nutritrients through a wound. It just takes longer for open wound to heal and you have to spend more time worrying diet and fluids and keeping clean. You will have to debrid it if it is too large for it to heal. Chickens heal fast though.
Everyone here has given you real good advice so you are doing good.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

The whole thing with time and sewing up an animal is after 24 hours you have dead tissue and scabs and yes more bacteria in wound. I usually sew it loose so can drain and you have a chance you may have to take out sutures and clean would and re sew it up. Most of time you clean it good it will go together and heal if you give her antibiotics. I always use antibiotic ointment on chickens never don't cause of infection. It makes world of difference.
Just remember if you don't sew it will not kill her just makes it take longer to heal. peroxide is wonderful to clean wounds on chickens. Kills lots of bacteria. Just feed her good and plenty of water and make sure she gets some exercise even if you have to monitor it to keep her safe while healing.

 

[Wayne&Kim1963]

If I was closer I would fix her for you and teach you about it.

 

[ACraZyLittLeChiCkenGirl]

from what I am seeing the wound seems to look like it is healing... i mean its as big as my hand but everyone on here says that with time it will heal... I plan on keeping her isolated until her feathers start growing back. also she is standing and walking around in her box which is a good sign i have been told. what about the pocket like i said the skin has pulled away from the meat and i can stick 3 fingers in there but there is nothing to sew it to...

 

[StephanieD]

The skin will probably die and fall off. I think you are doing exactly what needs to be done. I know my chicken has really surprised me with her healing abilities!