Help Injured Hen

[Katiequiggle]

The kids just went out to put the girls away for the night and one of them has been attacked. Our dog ran out whilst we were having dinner and I said then that I hoped there wasn't a fox. She seems ok but has a 1cm puncture wound on her back, I've bathed it in salty water and put a dab of sudocreme on it and put her in our big cat box on some straw for the night. Is there anything else I should do for her, I've got her indoors nice and quiet, the others are all fine and in the hen house now. I can't find another puncture wound anywhere but will look again in the morning.

Please reply and let me know what else I should do.

 

[Jolyn]

How is she doing?

I am bumping this up in the hopes that someone that has experience will see it.

 

[karrie]

Keeping her inside & quiet is good. Keep the wound clean! I'd use Neosporin on it. Does it need a stitch? Does it open up when she moves? I'd be worried about infection.

 

[ashyannehand]

Sounds like to me you have done the right thing. Just keep her quiet and comfortable. Also offer her extra protein, maybe some scrambled eggs.

Welcome to BYC, but sorry about your hen. Please let us know how she is doing.

 

[JestersEye]

So sorry to hear about your hen! We had a similar trauma with our peachick today, so I know how helpless and worried you feel. The only thing I can think to add is maybe disinfecting with something stronger than salt water: Betadine or weak hydrogen peroxide solution, or dousing it with something called "Wonder Wound Dust" that a hobby farmer friend told me about. If you have any broad-spectrum antibiotic powder, it probably wouldn't hurt to add some to her water to ward off possible infection (particularly if a tooth punctured her deeper tissues). Other than that, just let her rest up while enticing her to eat and drink enough. Good luck!

 

[Katiequiggle]

Thanks everyone and sorry for jumping straight in without introducing myself last night. Someone sent me a link to you as they knew you'd be able to help.

She made it through the night and has eaten a good breakfast this morning of layers pellets and some corn and had a good drink too. I'm keeping her in the cat box in the dark to make sure she is quiet and comfy and hopefully doens't lay. I'm going to the chemist later so will ask about your recomended antiseptics.

Will go and introduce myself to you lovely people properly now lol.

Thank you

Kate x

 

[shareneh]

Sorry to hear about your hen, I had the same thing happen to one of mine. She was bitten on the head and her back. Her ear and eye drained pus for a few days and she was in shock but she is ok now. All I have to add is to get some antibiotic powder for her water so that she gets help with the infection. Also, be careful when you put her back with the flock, they may peck her at first. Give her a while to get healthy again.