Help needed with Polish Wing

[Rockporters]

We are trying to figure out if our Polish is getting picked on, or if it could be bugs causing her problems. Her wing is the worst, it’s terrible. It is scabbed and missing lots of feathers. However, she is using it normally. The back of her head, and under her wing, are suffering similarly. (but not quite as bad)

I have not seen anyone pecking at her, and she doesn’t seem to be getting singled out for chasing. We do have a new older hen that intimidates the younger crew, but she seems to leave them alone once she has gotten her way.

She is eating well and acting normal. I’ve been spraying the areas several times a day with something similar to Vetericyn. I’ve also been putting a triple antibiotic on. It’s looking better, but has a long way to go.

Any ideas? Also, is there anything else we should be putting on the sores?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That looks like severe pecking wounds. I would separate her out asap. Is she your only polish?

 

[Eggcessive]

I am not sure what that is, but in the second picture it reminds me of either a tumor or a feather cyst from some of the pictures I have looked at online. Is the black material scabbing? I would try soaking those scabs with a solution of betadine or chlohexidene, and then apply a coat of plain Neosporin twice a day.

 

[Rockporters]

You know, you might be onto something with the cyst. I posted a couple of weeks ago about her having a “blister” under her wing. This is what it looked like then:

And here is what it looks like now:

Her head and wing are obviously in pecking reach, but this spot isn’t as easy to get at. The sore on her head looks a lot like this one.

I do think it’s scabbed or dried blood, but it is also dirt from her dust baths. I separated her for a while but she was miserable. There aren’t any new wounds. I’ll have to do some research on feather cysts to see. Our other Polish (non-frizzled) keeps plucking her own feathers or sheaths, but she only gets a spot of blood here and there, no sores.

We have one chicken who wasn’t raised with the Polish, an adult Orpington hen. That hen is quite adept at getting her way with simple intimidation. That usually entails standing close or putting herself between the others and what they want, not pecking. She also doesn’t perch near this Polish at night. I’m putting a cam in the coop just to see if I can spot anything.