Hen made it through the night

[dmontrose]

Hello I wrote yesterday. My hen fell in the pool. I do not know who long she was there. Half of her comb is ripped and hanging and he back of her neck is cut clean through. I have put polysporine on it and have give her a warming lamp. I have brought her in the house and put water and chick baby food pellets down for her to eat. I also placed a couple of strawberries. She has made it 32 hours now. She does not want you to give her food or water. It agitates her when you try. The area that holds food is really extended. Any advice at this point?

 

[kacklinkelly]

I'm sorry about your hen. Unfortunately, I don't have any advice. It sounds like you
are doing everything to keep her comfortable. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

[chickensioux]

How is she now? Sounds like you have done all you can. Keep her clean, warm and antibiotics on her wounds. You can try to give her things like peas, yogurt, meal worms, etc. to tempt her to eat. Keep water close to her to drink. Keep us posted.

 

[dmontrose]

She is a Rhode Island Red and has a pretty large Comb. The comb is almost completely torn off. It is hanging on her head and seems to irritate her. I do not know if I should try to cut it off or medical tape it and see if it will reattach. ....if there is some way to tape to her head of feathers.

Also her Crop is inlarged. I am not for sure if her stomach just wont digest due to the trauma or if she just swallowed a ton of chlorinated water and this is what is making it like this. Today will be day number 3. She is a strong and sweet hen but is quite messed up.

 

[etammy]

feel the crop if it is squishey like it is filled with water you may have to empty it if it does not go down in the morning, it may be blocked and that may be why she does not want food and water, it has no were to go. So to do this, hole her like a football, tip her head in the downward position and genty push on her crop, fluid should come out if it is full like a ballon, make sure her head is down and be gentle, you don't want any fluid going into in lungs

 

[dmontrose]

Do I position her head upside down? Will the liquid come out of her beak? Thank you for the help!

 

[kacklinkelly]

With regard to the separated comb I have see on this forum and on the internet how people cut the combs and wattles off chickens
to show a chicken or to prevent frost bite. Supposedly there is no pain for the chicken but not sure anyone has asked the chicken.
In the video I saw, the chicken didn't even flinch. Perhaps might be the simplest way to go. Not sure what the method is called
but is seems quite common. Positive thoughts sent your way.

 

[Grace11]

I had to cut off a piece of a comb a while back- I used a VERY sharp knife edge scissors-nothing else would have done it swiftly. You could use NEW regular scissors and keep them just for amputations. She Flinched hard when I did it, so it did hurt, could have just been the certain place it was at. It bled quite a bit, too-I keep styptic pencils handy just for the chickens. Couldnt be helped. Its not likely a ripped comb is going to reattach and I personally wouldnt even try. You gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[etammy]

Yes, tilt her head towards the ground and the fluid shouls drip/pour out of her beak with a little bit of pressure on her crop. Only do this if you think her crop is full od fluid that has not passed after 24 hours