Hen attacked!

[WhoDatChick]

This is my neighbors chicken… they got attacked last night. This gal has serious injuries on her back and she isn’t moving at all… she holds her head up. She is around 10 years old give or take… should we cull her? I sprayed her wounds with Vetericyn.

I will probably post her other hen that has a flap of skin hanging off.. she is moving around… my friend needs to catch her. I am caring for them….

 

[coach723]

If there are not internal injuries then recovery is possible as long as wounds don't get infected. You need to flush out all wounds, use sterile saline or a chlorhexidine solution, or plain mild soapy water if the wounds are not deep. Then apply a plain triple antibiotic ointment (over the counter) to cover all wounds and keep them moist. If any feathers are getting in the wounds, trim them back with some small scissors so the wounds are more visible, easier to keep clean and treat. Monitor droppings, and get fluids in. Electrolites are good and can help them recover from shock. Fluids should be slightly warm (102 F), not cold. You can also use pedialite or gatorade. 14 ml of fluid per lb of body weight and repeat that in 60 - 90 minutes. Make sure the bird is warmed up before giving fluids, Keep them in a warm, quiet place. If the bird is not drinking you may need to give via syringe or tube until it starts to on it's own. A thorough exam of the whole body needs to be done, make sure there are no hidden injuries in feathers, broken bones, etc. I will attach some links below that may be helpful, the first covers wound care as well if you scroll down some. If the bird isn't able to stand, you can use a sling to hold it upright if it's not going to hurt any injuries, or you can put rolled up bath towels around it to help it stay more upright. If wounds start to look/smell infected, or are very deep, then an antibiotic (oral) may be needed. Amoxicillin is good, if you have any.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-supportive-care-updated-01-17-2021.1048620/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/go-team-tube-feeding-updated-12-29-2019.805728/

 

[WhoDatChick]

If there are not internal injuries then recovery is possible as long as wounds don't get infected. You need to flush out all wounds, use sterile saline or a chlorhexidine solution, or plain mild soapy water if the wounds are not deep. Then apply a plain triple antibiotic ointment (over the counter) to cover all wounds and keep them moist. If any feathers are getting in the wounds, trim them back with some small scissors so the wounds are more visible, easier to keep clean and treat. Monitor droppings, and get fluids in. Electrolites are good and can help them recover from shock. Fluids should be slightly warm (102 F), not cold. You can also use pedialite or gatorade. 14 ml of fluid per lb of body weight and repeat that in 60 - 90 minutes. Make sure the bird is warmed up before giving fluids, Keep them in a warm, quiet place. If the bird is not drinking you may need to give via syringe or tube until it starts to on it's own. A thorough exam of the whole body needs to be done, make sure there are no hidden injuries in feathers, broken bones, etc. I will attach some links below that may be helpful, the first covers wound care as well if you scroll down some. If the bird isn't able to stand, you can use a sling to hold it upright if it's not going to hurt any injuries, or you can put rolled up bath towels around it to help it stay more upright. If wounds start to look/smell infected, or are very deep, then an antibiotic (oral) may be needed. Amoxicillin is good, if you have any.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-supportive-care-updated-01-17-2021.1048620/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/go-team-tube-feeding-updated-12-29-2019.805728/

Thank you so much… I have them safe and warm… the one that isn’t moving tried to kick her legs when I went to move her but she can’t get them under her… I fear she has back injuries…

 

[ChicNmom]

You could make a chair for her so she can be upright and have access to food and water. Hopefully she is just sore and has swelling that is keeping her down instead of a spinal injury.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[coach723]

Sometimes time and patience is the best healer. How much time and effort is entirely up to you. I usually don't make any decisions for at least 24 hours, let the shock wear off, see how they are doing. Regardless, she is probably very, very sore at a minimum, and she may not feel like, or be able to move around much for a while. Chicken slings can often help a lot, and keep them more comfortable, every case is different. Supportive care, fluids, and feeding can often get them through until they are stronger and can do more for themselves. Time will tell. More examples of slings for larger birds below.