HELP- i think my chicken's back was ripped off

[Latestarter]

From the appearance it looks like a hawk got on her and was eating her. Not only is skin and feather missing but it appears there is muscle damage as well. I know about everyone here on this forum is all about "saving" every animal, and I understand... it's hard to let them go. From looking closely at the picture, you can see what appears to be hollow areas that have been eaten out on either side of the backbone just above the tail. That is the area of the kidneys. When you're cleaning out the underside of a chicken leg prior to cooking, this is all that red stuff you scrape out right along the backbone portion of that chicken leg.

If this is indeed the case, then IMHO you will not be able to save this hen. I'm sorry, but even if the area wasn't completely destroyed (eaten), there has been internal damage done, contamination, and if by some miricale she does survive, her life will be less than ideal.

That being said, should you make the decision to try and save her/keep her alive:

You need to keep the wound area moist. You can use a saline solution for rinsing/cleaning. You can also apply a Neosporin or generic triple antibiotic ointment and cover loosely with non stick gauze.

DO NOT USE BLUKOTE on a wound that size! please! Blukote is for cuts, scratches, minor wounds to block the red color of blood to keep other chickens from pecking at it staunch MINOR blood flow and help healing. And it HURTS on deeper/larger cuts/wounds. If you doubt this, next time you open yourself up, try some on you.

DO NOT continue to use peroxide on the wound as it is indiscriminate and kills new developing/healing tissue as well as disinfecting. It will hinder healing.

I have recommended the following before and have used it myself with great success. It is sold at TSC and you can order it online. It is collagen based and promotes new skin growth. It's called EMT gel. It is very thick and sticky, so apply gently but firmly.

https://hymed.com/products/emt-gel-spray

I'm sorry but I do not think she'll recover. If she does this will NOT be a short road for either of you. Please post updates n your decisions and progress. Thank you and I hope the remainder of your holiday season is substantially better.

 

[Latestarter]

@azygous @rjohns39 @Eggcessive @casportpony @aart @Wyorp Rock or some of the other much more experienced folks may be able to give better/different/concurrent input. Here's a thread that's just started recently by a member who's bird was attacked by a raccoon. Damage not as great as what you're dealing with but still large open wounds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raccoon-attack-help-photos.1211907/

 

[khemo]

Thank you. She doesn't look like that chicken with her eyes closed. She looks awake and alert.

I will consider all you said, get the emt gel, some saline and pee pads, not use blue kote but I do have vetracyn after all, and pick up more ointment for now.

She's a fighter. For her life, not with or chickens or anything. She actually ends up being the bottom bird somehow, even tho she's fearless.

 

[Latestarter]

I'm sorry, I wasn't saying that your bird looked like the other... I pointed you to that thread to read the care recommendations as there are some very good ones there. That bird had (much) less damage than yours, but had its whole neck skin opened up and peeled. There wasn't really any internal structure damage like yours.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I hope your hen makes a full recovery

 

[azygous]

There's no reason why this hen can't make a full recovery as long as infection can be avoided.

Rules for treating large open wounds:

1. Clean wound every single day with warm soap and water or saline
2. Keep moist with an ointment. A small tube of antibiotic ointment isn't going to last long, so coconut oil or castor oil, or manuka honey are good substitutes, having natural antibiotic properties. It's crucial not to allow the wound to dry out.

3. Cover with a light wound dressing and secure. The hen may try to remove it, so elastic vet wrap is useful here. You want to keep dirt and debris out of the wound.

This will require weeks of care, but new skin will gradually grow in from the edges of the wound (granulation) and fill in the exposed area. (Six weeks to two months, maybe longer) Any skin flaps will eventually dry out, turn black, and fall off. No need to deal with those now if she has any.

I would suggest an oral antibiotic since the wound is so large, but you can keep close watch and step in with this later if you notice red skin and swelling around the wound, and if the hen becomes lethargic.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

one feather i tugged at seemed to pull back a whole flap of skin....should i keep the gauze on her for a bit, or just try to leave it open?...i have no idea if she has punctures- i'm having a hard time looking at it. and when i compartmentalize it so i can, i still have no idea what i'm even really looking at.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen. You have received a lot of useful input from everyone.

Being awake and alert is good. I agree with @Latestarter that it's always best to access the wounds and also prepare yourself for worst case scenario.

The EMT gel looks like good stuff, I've never used it. Since you have Neosporin and Vetericyn use those. You can try other things, but using what you have on hand is practical.

I also agree with @azygous on taking care of the wound.
I understand that the OP may be hesitant about administering antibiotics, but with a severe wound it is usually best to use them to help fight infection. Penicillin can be purchased at feed stores like Tractor Supply (look in the refrigerated section) look for Procaine penicillin G - dosage is 1/4ml injected 1/4"deep into the breast muscle for 4days. Alternate sides daily. Use a 20guage needle. Of course consulting a vet for care and medication recommendations is always best.

Now... @khemo you mentioned that when you were cleaning the wounds, removing feathers, etc. you tugged on 1 feather and a whole flap of skin pulled back - were you able to flush that section out really well? Any loose skin like that, it would need to be cleaned well and monitored for infection. I understand that it can be scary to manipulate and really get in there and inspect her for fear of hurting her and/or causing more damage, but getting a really good look at the damage and cleaning out a wound is important. Check underneath her for any puncture wounds that may be hidden by feathers as well.

Updated photos of what she looks like now would be a good idea too.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

So sorry about your chicken. I really think you are doing a great job with her. She will make it. Keep her warm. She must totally heal before going back to her coop with the others. My chicken was attacked by a fisher cat and looked just as bad as your little girl. Keep the wound clean. Use the non-pain Neosporin and keep her warm. Scrambled eggs are a big treat for her. Also, spend time with her.......I guess you will be having a feathered friend for the holidays.... Keep us posted. She will be fine....just you wait and see.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

So sorry about your chicken. I really think you are doing a great job with her. She will make it. Keep her warm. She must totally heal before going back to her coop with the others. My chicken was attacked by a fisher cat and looked just as bad as your little girl. Keep the wound clean. Use the non-pain Neosporin and keep her warm. Scrambled eggs are a big treat for her. Also, spend time with her.......I guess you will be having a feathered friend for the holidays.... Keep us posted. She will be fine....just you wait and see.

X2 We’re rooting for you and your hen

 

[PirateGirl]

Large open wounds can be treated with honey. Apply honey (raw organic preferred as it has the most good stuff in it) to a non-stick gauze pad, cover the wound. Change bandage daily. The honey has good antimicrobial properties and helps prevent bad stuff from growing and helps promote good tissue growth. It also keeps things from drying out too much. It's often used on burn patients etc. where there are no edges of the wound that can be pulled/stitched back together.

This is not just an old wives tail. Feel free to do some online reading if you are skeptical. This was treatment my vet gave to my dog when she nearly lost her leg due to infection (she had lost all of her pads and her flesh down to the bone, it all grew back and the infection did not go systemic). I was skeptical at first but did my homework, trusted the vet, and witnessed a miracle. Good luck. I hope she heals with whatever course of treatment you choose. As long as she is eating and drinking and pooping all on her own you are on the right track.