Henpecked hen has HOLE in her back-Update

[Biddieacres]

I just moved and my chickens are taking their stress out of my poor easter egger. They pecked the feathers off her back and much to my horror, I went into check on her and there is a hole in her back the size of a quarter.

The skin is gone and I think I see bone. I am and was in shock! I knew they pecked some feather but I never though it would get this bad. It was almost as if they were eating her flesh. Sorry to be graphic.

I immediately separated them and took her in my arms. There is tons of blood. I poured Peroxide in the hole. My question is, is this OK?????

Then I plan to put Neosporin on the wound.

She is the sweetest of the flock. Her best friend is the other Easter Egger and they are the only ones together right now. She is drinking and eating. Her crop was empty so I think they were even keeping her away from the food. She is safe now.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[chickeepoo]

I just went through this- check my post just down the page from yours and the reply posts, and hopefully you'll get more answers/replies here as well. I hope your sweet hen is OK.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=133412

 

[Biddieacres]

Thank you, is your hen OK? Do you think she will make it through such a horrible thing?

 

[Nostalchic]

You know, I just hate to sound unnecessarily/unrealistically optimistic, but I've had chickens recover from really, really awful looking skin wounds. Our aierdale, when a youngster, caught a chicken now and then and just chewed on it's neck for a while as if it were an old slipper. I was, of course, horrified, when I caught her at this, and had little hope of those chickens ever healing and surviving and YET they did, with careful cleaning and some antibiotic ointment and time (and sounds like you need to isolate her, though I didn't do that, but I never had a problem with picking, I think because they had free range in the barnyard). So don't write your favorite hen off yet!

 

[Biddieacres]

OK thanks, I need some optimistic words right now. She is such a sweetie. Chickiepoo I just saw the pics of your hen and read about the bluekote. Should I run up to the feed store now and buy some or is the peroxide enough? Why Bluekote by the way, what does it do?

 

[chickeepoo]

I don't think straight peroxide is the best idea but not he worst. I used betadine/saline to wash the wound, then used Blu-kote. The blu-kote is antibacterial/antifungal, and it dyes everything purple/blue so the other hens won't see the red and peck… unfortunately, that didn't work even with the apron on, so she's totally separated so they won't finish her. As long as it doesn't get infected, I think she'll heal (I think she's even in there in the laundry room laying an egg as we speak- has her appetite, etc.) It's supposed to be a good product, I hope the experienced BYCers will advise you on this. I was trying to get the same answer, should I just keep the blu-kote on and keep her warm and separate until she's healed up.

I have longer term fixes to make in the living arrangements and exercising of my hens to keep this from becoming a repeat performance, so check your circumstances of your hens against the info already given in the other post too. Take care ~ Kathy

 

[chickensioux]

Hey, I hope she will be ok. I use povidone iodine this is safe for poultry skin. If you use neosporin make sure it is NOT the painkilling kind. I don't use neo, it makes things stick to them and makes the wound more inviting for the others to pick. Iodine is the best thing and isolate her for as long as necessary. Hope this helps. Sue

 

[birdbrain2]

i am a newbie so i don't have much advice or any but i have read that once they have the taste of blood they don't stop. i could be wrong but i would find out which one it was and make sure there is no other victims.

 

[Biddieacres]

Quote:
I went to the feed and thought I was getting blu-kote but got one that numbs and put it on her. Is that bad?? I notice you said not the painkilling kind. Why is this. It really numbs because I just got some in my eye by accident and my eye is totally numb right now.

I notice she pecked it now her mouth and tongue is numb. Should I go wipe it off?

 

[hinkjc]

Was this hen with a rooster? Not that it matters, but I've seen this happen shortly after a rooster makes a small tear on a hen's back. The others see the little bit of blood and go crazy for it. I've found using blue kote or some kind of antipick helps stop the picking and hides the blood. Also, separating is usually necessary to stop the behavior, because they do like the taste of blood once they've tried it (sad but true). Another option is to cover it as well by putting a chicken saddle/apron on her to hide the wound. All of these should help her start healing. So sorry this happened. I hope she heals up well for you.