Hen with a dirty old looking wound-what should I do????

[carolina chicky]

I went out to the coop to check on the chickens this afternoon and was petting my Black Australorp hen when I noticed something funny about her side. Right under her wing there is a hard black spot. It looks as though something cut her open a while ago and now there is a large black spot, almost like a dirty scab. I had a problem with too many roosters (didn't know they were roosters) and they were picking on her. I moved them away from her about 3 weeks ago but I hadn't noticed this spot on her before. It isn't bleeding and she isn't pecking at it. It looks as though it happened some time ago, maybe a few weeks ago (?). She has been acting fine, eating normally, scratching about, so I had no reason to suspect she was hurt.
I brought her inside and tried to clean the wound, but the hard scabby area was firmly attached and I was afraid to pick it off. I did cover it with antibiotic ointment and kept her isolated but what should I do now?
I read three horses article on wound care and followed it as best I could but i am not sure, she seems fine so i don't want to make things bad for her.
Anyone got any ideas??

 

[PurpleChicken]

It sounds like you have done exactly the right thing. If the wound is old,
has already scabbed over, and isn't infected then all is fine. I'd just
leave it alone.

Having Bluekote around is good for quick wound management.

 

[carolina chicky]

It doesn't smell bad, or isn't red or anything...so I am pretty sure it's not infected. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing anything wrong by leaving it...I already feel terrible that I didn't notice it before now

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Ahh, don't feel bad. Chickens are rough on each other. Sounds like you
have the situation well under control.

 

[Davis5454]

I've had some pretty nasty wounds on a few chickens.....you would be SURPRISED how well they heal. I used to worry alot...but not anymore.

I had one rooster that had his head split wide open by another roo. It left a split right behind his comb from ear to ear and it pulled open to the size of a dime because of where it was. You could easily see his skull at all times.

We pulled him out and put him in the garage for a day or two....put some neosporin on the wound and left it open (bandaids don't stick well to feathers and we were scared to try superglue). In about 3 or 4 days it was scabbing over and we put him back in the barn...but separate from the other chickens.

He had a bald spot for a few weeks, but now looks as good as new and has become very tame for us. (he also perches on the feed can since that was his new home for a few weeks)

Now we just leave him separate from the hens and let him run with them when we turn them out. He's a good roo!

If there's no infection....your girl will be fine!

 

[threehorses]

I also wouldn't worry about it if it's smelling alright and looks ok other than the scab. I would want to rule out mites or lice, though, just in case if you don't see a wound. Sometimes they can leave stuff like that under the wings. Just look around at the skin and make sure you don't see anything.

Sounds like you and mother nature did a good job.