Hen hurt worse than I thought

[sweetshoplady]

When I re-introduced Gypsy and her chicks back into the flock, Maggie and Mammy both went after her. I saw that Gypsy's comb was bloodied and that she had some peck marks on her head and earlobes. But, what really concerns me is that the inside of her mouth is pussy. And she is having difficulty eating and drinking and wheezes. When I held her I noticed a putrid smell around her head.

I separated Gypsy and the chicks right away, but yesterday Mammy got in there and went to town on Gypsy. I moved the tractor they were in over so its in the middle of things.

Gypsy has quit her chicks who are 4-5 weeks old. I gave her sulmet as its the only antibiotic I had on hand and some vitamins.

I am alone so it would be difficult to take a pic of the inside of her mouth. Its on the top of the inside of her mouth and appears to be draining out. Is it possible that a very bad peck to the side of her head would cause this? Or do you think she tried to eat a bee or a wasp?

The flock is leaving the chicks alone, and only went after Gypsy.

What did I do wrong in having a broody that the re-entry was so horrible? She does want to eat and drink even though its hard for her and she has to do so slowly. She tires easily. She did go around foraging. Tonight she got up and is sleeping where she slept before her chicks. No one gave her a hard time about that.

The other hens seem to be leaving her alone today.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

for the puss take a q-tip dipped in clear non stinging iodine and try to clean the puss spots. if u can get them to loosen doing this several times a day then use a dry one to pull the puss out. i'd keep her issolated, qiuet, warm and get her on an antibiotic cause it sounds like respitory started. the smell sounds like a bacterial infection some where.

 

[dlhunicorn]

in addition to the above >add vit A supplement (polyvisol three drops in beak once a day)
Keep her separated

 

[whitebutcher]

I do not think a bee or wasp would be the likly culprit here.There is an old apple tree near my chicken run and I have watched my chickens catch and eat yellow jackets off the fallen apples all summer.They know just how to do it without getting stung.

 

[prariechiken]

If she has canker(sp?) don't mess with it. Prodding it with a qtip will cause the lesion to burst and form more further down the throat, possibly suffocating her. The other birds may "know" she is unhealthy and running her away from the flock...just a guess, no one can be for sure without seeing pics or the fowl in person. Good luck with your girls.

 

[prariechiken]

Also might be good to run some bluestone through their water (all birds).

 

[therealsilkiechick]

removeing plaques is to help them avoid suffocation ya can't just leave them there. u don't put preassure on them just coat it lightly with it after so many times of applying it then they break free and come off on the q-tip. if u get it all out it will not spread u need to unblock the blockage so they can breathe and mucas drain right. trust me i know from personal and profesional experience.

 

[prariechiken]

Nice further explanation, will help those inexperienced better if it is included with the first....

 

[sweetshoplady]

Looking at her this morning and giving her meds and tending her wounds, her nose was pretty badly pecked and I do remember seeing it bloody a couple days ago. This is right under her nose. She does seem a little better today.

Next time I have a broody, they will stay in the thick of things but be in a "cage" of some sort so I don't go through this horrible re-entry. At least they're accepting of the chicks. Gypsy was a great mama and did a super job with her chicks.

What's bluestone?