Hen attacked newly hatched chick! help! Should I put it out of it's...

[Dutchgirl]

The chick has been inside all day and seems normal in behavior, wants to get to the other chicks and a hen it can hear. But...from the inspection I gave it while it was still freshly bloody, it seems that it's skin was able to slide off it's face completely on one side of it's head. I'm not even sure how much skin it has on it's head. The eye could be seen two ways, through the non working eyelid, or slidiing the skin over. I tried washing the blood off, but most of the head is still dark red. It's upper beak seems to be broken as it can be wiggled. I don't know whether it will be blind in both eyes and unable to use it's beak, or if the skin and beak will heal and the eyelids will open eventually. It looks awful, but it is acting almost normal. I have given it some water with a Q-tip, but was not able to get it to drink some food mixture, yet.

Should I put it out of it's misery==it seems fine, but that's gotta hurt, or see how it goes?

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Seems that the kinder thing to do is to end it's suffering. This chick sounds pretty bad off.

 

[chickenzoo]

I would wait a day or so if it seems otherwise normal and eats/drinks. Clean up the wound with sterile saline and apply some plain neosporin. Chickens can be wonderful healers. After a day if it is not doing better or if it seems in too much pain, then I would cull it. I've had birds pretty much scalped to the skull and healed fine. I have a blind hen that gives me an egg every day. She is penned with a buddy and knows where her food and water is etc.. and happily scratches etc.. but I have the extra time for her, many don't. You know your limitations and time frame. Best Wishes

 

[denasfarm]

Head wounds heal very nicely. Give it a smaller buddy chick and smear it with Triple antibiotic. The other chick will leave it alone cause that stuff tastes nasty.
I have had several completely scalped chicks and adults live wonderfully after. They do end up with scarring. I will post pics later but have to go to work now.
*hugs* Give the little guy a chance!