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

[khemo]

Stop.

I didn't come here for "expert advice".

I didn't pose my issue to start fights or to be judged, or to be made to feel like a horrible person because my chicken is paying the price for free ranging.

I came here for help in an emergency at the worst possible time of the year.

I know my limitations and I'm not playing amateur vet. I'm trying to get my girl thru a horrendous injury until I can get her to someone who can either help her or end it.

That's what these forums are for, and while I appreciate honesty and realism, if you feel you have to be nasty to feel better about yourself by bickering rather than just offering your experience, just stop right now.
That doesn't help anyone, detracts from the issue and turns people off from asking for help in the first place, which defeats the purpose of these forums.

 

[Wolfgang B.]

I would not choose to take any chicken to a vet. Yes, I enjoy their company. But, they are livestock in my yard. If I can't render appropriate care, and if in my assessment the animal is suffering more than I am willing to see her suffer, and if I can't expect a fairly reasonable time frame in her healing, then I will cull her. We all have our own husbandry methods. I will not call some one irresponsible with their money if they choose vet care for a hen who's been torn up, and I don't expect any one to call me irresponsible because I choose to cull such a hen.

100%

Fingers crossed your chicken is going to get better soon! Keep us updated please.

 

[moniquem]

I wish your hen the best of luck for a speedy recovery. Do your best, never mind what others think .

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@khemo I'm glad to hear that she is still alert, eating and drinking.
You are doing well taking care of her.
Please keep us posted on her progress. I wish you, your family and little hen all the best and Merry Christmas

 

[lazy gardener]

My apology to OP if my post was offensive.

 

[pitbullmomma]

I am a vet. A semi-retired vet.

I did not see avian patients when I practiced. That is a specialty area. Agreed, most vets do not see chickens. But we will euthanize anything that is suffering, without question.

I love my chickens to death. But if one had an injury that grievous, I would either take it to an avian vet (even though I am a vet myself! For I do not have the setup to do surgery) or euthanize it, humanely. Because that poor creature is suffering. Any mammal or bird with a brain and a spinal cord will feel intense pain for a wound that bad. Some animals are better hiding it than others.

This is not meant to be judgemental, and I hope it is not taken as such. It is from a scientific--and veterinarian--point of view. Yes, I will admit, I cringe sometimes when I read some of the stuff on these boards, and then I remind myself that 1.) farm animal and small animal owners often have a very different mindset, and 2.) many people do not have the funds or availability to see an avian vet.

But then it comes down to doing what is best for the animal. Not the owner. And if that creature is suffering? I will advocate for DIY euthanasia (or a fairly inexpensive euthanasia at any vet) that is quick and relatively painless, than letting a sentient creature suffer great pain. DIY vet care is NOT always a good thing!!! Even if it's a last resort. Best for the animal, not you. Very hard choice, I realize. Do what is right~

 

[ChickNanny13]

Stop.

I didn't come here for "expert advice".

I didn't pose my issue to start fights or to be judged, or to be made to feel like a horrible person because my chicken is paying the price for free ranging.

I came here for help in an emergency at the worst possible time of the year.

I know my limitations and I'm not playing amateur vet. I'm trying to get my girl thru a horrendous injury until I can get her to someone who can either help her or end it.

That's what these forums are for, and while I appreciate honesty and realism, if you feel you have to be nasty to feel better about yourself by bickering rather than just offering your experience, just stop right now.
That doesn't help anyone, detracts from the issue and turns people off from asking for help in the first place, which defeats the purpose of these forums.

@khemo - Please keep us updated with Consuela's progress, we're all praying for the best. Again, Merry Christmas to you and ALL BYC Members

 

[Sunshine Flock]

You did a wonderful job getting her safe and settling her into the box. You did everything right. Good instincts!

Raw honey is an excellent medicinal healer. Numerous studies attest to this fact, as does the experience I had with my own rooster who was horribly injured by a coyote. I used Manuka honey, kind of the Cadillac in the world of healing honey, but most successful healings I've come across used jars of raw, unpasteurized honey. It goes a long way, it's totally safe, and water soluble.

Honey and then at some point you'll want to add daily epsom salt baths to her healing repertoire, and there are additional easy and affordable things you can do to encourage further healing.

Hang in there!! You've got this!!!

ETA: I can't see the photos very clearly, so you may want to do three day assessment intervals, where you observe her for signs of decline, reevaluate your treatment protocol and adjustments to see if she responds, and decide what to do from there.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Internally an immune boosting tincture would be important, and electrolytes as suggested. Lots of protein, too. Henry didn't like tuna, but he loved canned unsalted salmon, and I cooked up eggs, too.

Chopped cilantro has some good medicinal properties, and he loved eating it.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Someone suggested to apply the honey to a gauze pad and cover. Honey sinks into the wounds and skin from gravity and warmth. The rest pools on top and helps stave off infection, and even more will drip down the sides. She'll be a sticky mess, but honey comes right off in a bath.

So if you can tolerate the stickiness, and it does take some getting used to, honey would be an excellent choice. But I never covered Henry's very large and deep wounds. It seemed unnecessary, if not potentially harmful. Honey on a gauze pad is not enough honey, and it should be reapplied two or three times daily to keep her glistening and shiny.