Hen with wound that is black need antibiotics

[Cee]

I have a hen who I found with some sort of wound that is black and dried out. It is on and above her vent. She has not laid an egg. I’m worried about it being infected? Should I put her on antibiotics? Where would I get some? I’ve read about purchasing fish antibiotics.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you include some pictures? Do you see any maggots on the wound. Many times in hot weather flies will lay eggs on messy vents or in wounds, causing flystrike, which can be deadly. Let us know what you find. Most wounds (without flystrike) should be cleaned with a disinfectant such as Chlorhexidene/Hibiclens, rinsed with water. Or use 10% Betadine (Walmart has Equate Antiseptic Wound Disinfectant, which can be weakened.) Later saline can be used twice a day to rinse the wound. After each cleaning, apply plain Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment.

If you do find any maggots, soak in warm water several times for 24 hours and get every maggot off that hatches out and seen. Permethrin can be sprayed on the wound or SWAT gel can be applied to kill any fly larvae.

 

[SnackMeat]

Birdpal is a good source online.

I would be curious to see pictures. But yeah, soak, lightly rub, maybe clip feathers back to get a better view of what is going on.

I find putting a blanket on top of a chicken (either burrito wrapping it, or laying down half blanket, laying down chicken, and then laying blanket over the chicken, covering the face but allowing for air) allows me to work on a calm chicken. The slight pressure of the blanket and covering their head and putting them in darkness lets me work around their feet and legs and I assume it would work for her bum.

 

[FunClucks]

We really need to see a picture of the wound. When you say it's dried out, sounds to me like a scab has already fully formed, and it's just that the scab looks nasty. If that's the case, your chicken may be healing just fine, in spite of the nasty looking scab. They can look awful because of dried blood and dirt, but the scab can be doing its job protecting the chicken so it can heal just fine. We can look at the edges of the wound and tell you if the chicken is healing well - if the chicken is healing well, systemic antibiotics are not needed. Topical antibiotic ointment can be used if desired to protect the edges of the scabbed area in case the scab gets disturbed.

Chickens can be amazingly hearty when you don't expect it. I've had a number of them heal from some pretty awful wounds (hidden rooster spur injuries are the worst!).

It could be flystrike, or it could be fine. No way to tell without a picture.

 

[Cee]

Could you include some pictures? Do you see any maggots on the wound. Many times in hot weather flies will lay eggs on messy vents or in wounds, causing flystrike, which can be deadly. Let us know what you find. Most wounds (without flystrike) should be cleaned with a disinfectant such as Chlorhexidene/Hibiclens, rinsed with water. Or use 10% Betadine (Walmart has Equate Antiseptic Wound Disinfectant, which can be weakened.) Later saline can be used twice a day to rinse the wound. After each cleaning, apply plain Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment.

If you do find any maggots, soak in warm water several times for 24 hours and get every maggot off that hatches out and seen. Permethrin can be sprayed on the wound or SWAT gel can be applied to kill any fly larvae.

Thanks, I’m at work. When get home I will take a photo and post it. No maggots. Just black dry skin.