Hen attacked in pecking party

[Joe-the-Joseph]

One of my hens was seriously injured. My rooster has been a little more aggressive toward her lately. Last night or this morning, he went at her (I think he was then joined by my other hens), and now she has large chunk of skin that has been ripped off from the back of her neck. I've tried to clean with dilluted iodine and tepid water. It still has dried blood on it, but dirt came off. Has anyone had experience treating a hen for this kind of trauma? She is very tired and is just standing still and sleeping. Should I be concerned about shock?

Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

You can offer sugar water, Gatorade, or electrolyte water orally for shock. Do you have any pictures? I would separate her inside a dog crate with food and water. It may be best to keep her with her flock inside the coop. Treat wound with either chlorhexidine, saline or Vetericyn. Then apply plain antibiotic ointment twice a day until healing. Once she is healing, I would separate the rooster, or do it now until he hurts another.

 

[Joe-the-Joseph]

You can offer sugar water, Gatorade, or electrolyte water orally for shock. Do you have any pictures? I would separate her inside a dog crate with food and water. It may be best to keep her with her flock inside the coop. Treat wound with either chlorhexidine, saline or Vetericyn. Then apply plain antibiotic ointment twice a day until healing. Once she is healing, I would separate the rooster, or do it now until he hurts another.

Sorry for the graphic pictures everyone. She had her skin ripped off and I can see her skull in a few sections. The rooster is getting re-homed. I'm using vetericin and I'll put a bandage on with Neosporin later.

 

[Kiki]

I would not wrap a bandage around her head.
Just keep her in a dog cage, or something similar, by herself until she heals. It should heal just fine unwrapped...if she is alone.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, just apply plain Neosporin after spraying with Vetericyn twice daily. No bandage is needed. Young cockerels can sometimes be overzealous and may calm down later. But he may not.

 

[Joe-the-Joseph]

You can offer sugar water, Gatorade, or electrolyte water orally for shock. Do you have any pictures? I would separate her inside a dog crate with food and water. It may be best to keep her with her flock inside the coop. Treat wound with either chlorhexidine, saline or Vetericyn. Then apply plain antibiotic ointment twice a day until healing. Once she is healing, I would separate the rooster, or do it now until he hurts another.

It has been two days now and she is still exhausted and dazed. I have to give her water with an eye dropper, but she does lap it up when she feels in on her beak. Is this normal, or should I be concerned that she is fading?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you try mixing some very watery chicken feed and water, and dipping her beak into that and plain water in between? The fluids are more important now, offered often. She may drink from a little cup, lid, or a scoop. Scrambled egg is also good once she is drinking. She may have a head injury and will need some time to get better. Head injuries can be worse on day 2 and 3, and then hopefully she will get better.

 

[Joe-the-Joseph]

Unfortunately, Olga just didn't have the strength to survive and died this evening from her injuries. I'll have to bury her in the morning. Olga was isolated in my office since the attack. Should I let the rest of the flock see that she has passed or is it best if they don't and just move on?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Unfortunately, Olga just didn't have the strength to survive and died this evening from her injuries. I'll have to bury her in the morning. Olga was isolated in my office since the attack. Should I let the rest of the flock see that she has passed or is it best if they don't and just move on?

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you did what you could for her. I would just bury her, I don’t think you need to show the other birds I’m not sure they would really understand it anyway.