Help! Hen has a gash on back.

[uglybeat]

Last night something got to my hen and her new baby. Ate the baby and gave her a gash on the back about 2 inches long. I've never dealt with chicken injury before, so what do I need to do with her wound? I'm taking her to the vet in 1 hour, but would love some advice if anyone can get back to me before then. thank you.

 

[Blue_Myst]

I'd definitely clean the wound and put some neosporin on it. If it looks really bad you can put a little bit of Hydrogen Peroxide on it, but only a little bit! It's strong stuff, but it's great for disinfecting smaller cuts and scrapes. If you need to, clip a few feathers around the wound to keep it clean.

I'm so sorry about your little chick

 

[chickensioux]

Clean the would really well with soapy water or a watered down betadine solution. Do not use hydrogen peroxide. Put only non-pain relieving neosporin on it. It should heal up just fine. Good luck
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=193608&p=3

Here was a good thread regarding wound care for future use.

 

[Blue_Myst]

Do not use hydrogen peroxide.

I'm not trying to be snippy or anything, but is there something wrong with using this on poultry? I feel like an idiot.​

 

[mypicklebird]

Hydrogen peroxide is GREAT for cleaning up blood & it bubbles to make things look exciting, but is damaging to living tissue. Mammals as well as birds. It is not a terrible thing to clean with- you won't kill the bird! But there are gentler things to clean with- like saline, soapy water, dilute betadine/iodine, dilute chlorhexidene. Many people use H2O2 on themselves, their kids, their pets- don't feel like an idiot- it has been around forever and has in general a good track record. If it is all you have- it is better than nothing.

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
I'm not trying to be snippy or anything, but is there something wrong with using this on poultry? I feel like an idiot.

After trying to heal a wound on one of my hens, I finally took her to the vet and he told me Hydrogen Peroxide actually inhibits healing rather than help. I didn't ask if that was specifically for poultry or not tho'. I use it one myself, just not for wounds on my birds.

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
Ditto, I agree with this too Sorry, didn't mean to make you feel any certain way, I guess I just didn't explain in good detail.

 

[Blue_Myst]

Thanks for clearing that up

I thought for a moment it posed some threat to poultry that I didn't know of! I only use it occasionally, anyway, if I have nothing else on hand.

 

[meezermom]

Yeah, it is an irritant.
We also hated to scrub out of a wound what the owners had applied - so if you plan on taking the bird to the vet ASAP try using just saline to clean it out.
Good luck!