Hen hurt from fighting with other hen now seems sick. Help!

[Teresaann24]

2 of my girls got in a scuff and one hen got a big chunch of her comb ripped open. I clean it and put some neorspoin on it and put her by herself to heal. She was fine after that drinking water and eating but I noticed blood was running into her nose so I kept cleaning it. It has now stopped and she seemed to be getting better the comb has scabbed over now but seems a bit swollen I cleaned the blood away from her nostrils and she still seems to be breathing heavly now. She is still drinking water and ate some this morning but did not this evening. She is just laying around kinda like a broody hen but I know she is not broody. While cleaning her up today she gave no fight and she usally does. She just let me do whatever to her. I am worried she is gonna die...I don't know what eles to do. I put some antibotics in her water to help with any infections but other then that I dont know why she would be acting sick. HELP!

 

[jhm47]

Did you check for other injuries? Could be that she has an injury to her crop or somewhere else. It's most likely that she is just depressed from losing a fight and being isolated. Give her some treats and some time. She'll likely heal quickly. Good luck!

 

[threehorses]

Antibiotics in the water won't help with her wound. That requires something like Baytril, penicillin, etc. But use the antibiotics full strength (not just a little) in her water if you're still concerned that she aspirated some of the blood. If you give it at all, you must give it full strength for at least the number of days recommended on the package. Which antibiotic? Do you need dosage strength?

Otherwise, you risk never being able to use that antibiotic again if the bird gets sick.

Work on getting her to eat. Try giving her boiled and crushed up egg. Try dampening her crumbles with a mixture of plain yogurt and water - let sit 10 minutes til just damp. They like that better than pellets, etc.

Do what you can to get her to eat. Nutrition is important in case she bled too much - birds don't have that much blood to give. You need to build it back up.

Inflammation isn't very usual, but can happen. Does the area smell bad? Is it hotter than the rest of her comb?

Also if she's not drinking normally, I'd HIGHLY recommend using a good vitamin/electrolyte supplement (like aviacharge) as labeled in what water she has until she's better. You can use that water to dampen her crumbles. Gatorade or pedialyte will work for a day if you need to get the vitamins/electrolytes from the feedstore.

 

[Teresaann24]

I have sad news..Pretty gurl didn't make it through the night..She died...This is a very sad loss for me because she was one of my Fav hens and I have had her for over a year. This is also a hard hit to my flock considering I sold alot of my flock due to personal matters. She was one I couldnt part with very sad indeed.

 

[LesGan]

I am grieving with you on your loss of your pretty girl. No one can seem to understand the loss of a hen friend except other chicken lovers. I am so sorry for your loss, Leslie

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

sorry honey. it sounds like maybe she was hurt worse than it appeared. i'm sure this was a very hard loss indeed.

we're all with you - go ahead and cry

 

[Teresaann24]

Thanks everyone believe me I have been crying all morning. It just feels empty in the back yard now. I also believe she was more hurt then what I could see. I blame myself for this happening big time. The good news from this is I had gathered 5 eggs from her I just put in the incubator today. So maybe I will get some of her babies.

R.I.P Pretty gurl you were truly loved!

 

[threehorses]

Awww I'm so sorry. I will cross my fingers that you get some of her babies from those eggs; that would be lovely!