Hen keep pecking at bandage

[Pollogal1]

I have a 2 year old black Spanish hen that injured the top of her foot about a week and a half ago. I believe she got her foot caught under some of the chicken wire fencing in her pen…which is just so unlikely, but we have made a couple changes to it anyway. I cleaned and treated her foot area well and bandaged with thin gauzing and self stick bandage, but she continued to peck at the top of the bandage to the point of bleeding…creating another wounded area. I tried removing the bandages and used blu kote on the wounds to see if she would just leave it all alone, but that just made it worse by her continuing to peck at it. So, I treated and wrapped it all again. The foot wound was looking better, but since then she has continued to peck at the top of the bandages creating bleeding areas all the way up her leg. So now I have treated each one and tried several different things like re-wrapping…(thinking is it too tight, too loose??)…none of which seemed to be the issue. I have been using theracyn and an antibiotic cream (without pain relief) to treat the wounds, but her entire leg and foot now are bandaged and I am concerned that she will continue picking at it and create more damage. I thought of using a collar for her, but can’t figure out how she can eat with it on. I am also concerned that it will depress her…since she already just sits alone during the day sometimes which isn’t normal for her. How can I get her to stop pecking at her leg so it all can heal up? And how often should I change it…since she seems to be pecking worse at it all when the new bandages go on. I know she must have some pain…at least I would think so, but she has to be hurting herself by pecking it all. I have been putting oregano in her water and food to help prevent any infection, but haven’t given anything for pain (just don’t know what to give her for that).The other hens with her pay no mind to it all, so I haven’t separated her feeling that would be unnecessary and make her more uncomfortable. I don’t want her to create more damage to her leg or to put her in a situation that will make her feel worse. I tried to get pictures, but she is just so active at the bandages I haven’t been able to get good ones and I can’t take them while I am caring for her wounds (only have 2 hands). Any ideas would help. Meanwhile, I will be attempting to change all the bandages tomorrow and hoping to put some new ideas into use so thank you…any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Molpet]

@casportpony. Might have ideas

 

[Pollogal1]

@casportpony. Might have ideas

Hope so…thanks.

 

[R2elk]

I have a 2 year old black Spanish hen that injured the top of her foot about a week and a half ago. I believe she got her foot caught under some of the chicken wire fencing in her pen…which is just so unlikely, but we have made a couple changes to it anyway. I cleaned and treated her foot area well and bandaged with thin gauzing and self stick bandage, but she continued to peck at the top of the bandage to the point of bleeding…creating another wounded area. I tried removing the bandages and used blu kote on the wounds to see if she would just leave it all alone, but that just made it worse by her continuing to peck at it. So, I treated and wrapped it all again. The foot wound was looking better, but since then she has continued to peck at the top of the bandages creating bleeding areas all the way up her leg. So now I have treated each one and tried several different things like re-wrapping…(thinking is it too tight, too loose??)…none of which seemed to be the issue. I have been using theracyn and an antibiotic cream (without pain relief) to treat the wounds, but her entire leg and foot now are bandaged and I am concerned that she will continue picking at it and create more damage. I thought of using a collar for her, but can’t figure out how she can eat with it on. I am also concerned that it will depress her…since she already just sits alone during the day sometimes which isn’t normal for her. How can I get her to stop pecking at her leg so it all can heal up? And how often should I change it…since she seems to be pecking worse at it all when the new bandages go on. I know she must have some pain…at least I would think so, but she has to be hurting herself by pecking it all. I have been putting oregano in her water and food to help prevent any infection, but haven’t given anything for pain (just don’t know what to give her for that).The other hens with her pay no mind to it all, so I haven’t separated her feeling that would be unnecessary and make her more uncomfortable. I don’t want her to create more damage to her leg or to put her in a situation that will make her feel worse. I tried to get pictures, but she is just so active at the bandages I haven’t been able to get good ones and I can’t take them while I am caring for her wounds (only have 2 hands). Any ideas would help. Meanwhile, I will be attempting to change all the bandages tomorrow and hoping to put some new ideas into use so thank you…any help will be greatly appreciated.

She keeps pecking at it because it is obviously bothering her.

There are studies that show Neosporin with pain relief is not harmful. I would try some with the pain relieving ingredients to see if it makes any difference.

 

[Pollogal1]

She keeps pecking at it because it is obviously bothering her.

There are studies that show Neosporin with pain relief is not harmful. I would try some with the pain relieving ingredients to see if it makes any difference.

Yes…I am sure it must be bothering her. And if the wounds aren’t…being bandaged sure is. Probably both situations. I don’t have neosporin…but can get it. I do have antibiotic creams with pain relief too. I do wonder if there is something that I can put on the bandage to discourage the pecking….

 

[R2elk]

Yes…I am sure it must be bothering her. And if the wounds aren’t…being bandaged sure is. Probably both situations. I don’t have neosporin…but can get it. I do have antibiotic creams with pain relief too. I do wonder if there is something that I can put on the bandage to discourage the pecking….

Try the pain relieving creams.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What are you using to bandage it? I recommend VetWrap, an elastic bandage that sticks to itself. One inch wide if you can get it. Figure-8 it around her toes and up around her leg. Snug but not tight enough to cut off circulation. I use this on my rooster with bumblefoot and he does not mess with it. Good luck.

 

[Pollogal1]

What are you using to bandage it? I recommend VetWrap, an elastic bandage that sticks to itself. One inch wide if you can get it. Figure-8 it around her toes and up around her leg. Snug but not tight enough to cut off circulation. I use this on my rooster with bumblefoot and he does not mess with it. Good luck.

Yes…that is exactly what I am using. Thank you.

 

[Pollogal1]

Try the pain relieving creams.

Ok…I will do that. Maybe it will help….I sure hope so. Thanks.

 

[R2elk]

Ok…I will do that. Maybe it will help….I sure hope so. Thanks.

You can try the aluminum spray bandage. It is available at TSC or online.