How do you clean blood off feathers?

[Chickenma2021]

Hello everyone
I had a predator get one of my girls Dorothy. She isn't doing the best and she has blood caked all over her neck and face. It seems very stiff and uncomfortable. Do you guys have any ideas on how I can try and help clean some of it without stressing her out too much or hurting her? Anything helps

 

[DobieLover]

A hydrogen peroxide soaked paper towel.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello!
You may be able to use baby wipes but I'm not sure if that'll do the trick. It depends how cold it is right now where you live, because if the weather allows you could take her a warm bath with dawn dish soap inside (I know, very controversial topic- it does strip feathers of natural oils- however, I'm not sure what else would take the dried blood off.) Then you can blow-dry her and leave her in a crate overnight. Also, a bath may make her more stressed than she already is considering that a predator just attacked her. Or you could try a warm wet washcloth and gently "petting" (Idk any other words I could use lol) the spot where the blood is with the cloth.

 

[Chickenma2021]

Hello!
You may be able to use baby wipes but I'm not sure if that'll do the trick. It depends how cold it is right now where you live, because if the weather allows you could take her a warm bath with dawn dish soap inside (I know, very controversial topic- it does strip feathers of natural oils- however, I'm not sure what else would take the dried blood off.) Then you can blow-dry her and leave her in a crate overnight. Also, a bath may make her more stressed than she already is considering that a predator just attacked her. Or you could try a warm wet washcloth and gently "petting" (Idk any other words I could use lol) the spot where the blood is with the cloth.

I was thinking about bathing her but she is not doing too well so I'm going to stay away from it for now. I'll try peroxide and see if it works then I might try that if she gets a bit better.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I was thinking about bathing her but she is not doing too well so I'm going to stay away from it for now. I'll try peroxide and see if it works then I might try that if she gets a bit better.

Update us tomorrow to tell us how she's doing

 

[Chickenma2021]

Update us tomorrow to tell us how she's doing

Hello everyone!
Dorothy just took her first real sip of water and some food along with a bit of walking and preening. She is definitely disabled, her neck is permanently sideways and she is very uncoordinated but she is trying very hard to eat on her own. I am trying liquid food for now which is going well.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello everyone!
Dorothy just took her first real sip of water and some food along with a bit of walking and preening. She is definitely disabled, her neck is permanently sideways and she is very uncoordinated but she is trying very hard to eat on her own. I am trying liquid food for now which is going well.

Great job Dorothy!
Sounds like she has made quite a bit of progress! I wish her a fast recovery

 

[Chickenma2021]

Does anyone have any pain relief suggestions? I currently don't have any aspirin at hand and it's a bit of a snowstorm. Anything natural that might help??

 

[Eggcessive]

Ibuprofen or rimadyl have been used in poultry, if you have either of those. Here in post 1 below is the dosage of ibuprofen/Advil 5-10 mg per every 2.2 pounds 2-3 times a day.I would start on the low end of dosage.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ibuprofen-for-controlling-pain-in-poultry.1250629/

Rimadyl (carpofren) dosage is the same, 5-10 mg per kilogram or every 2.2 pounds once a day. It is commonly used for dogs if you have any.

 

[allosaurusrock]

To help with the blood, I'd just use a damp warm cloth or paper towel, and then put antibacterial ointment on the wound. You don't want to give her a bath in her current state because the shock might end up being really bad for her. Keeping her as stress-free as possible is going to be important right now. Trying to stuff a pain relief pill down her throat might be more hassle than its worth. Just keep her comfy and in a clean environment, and if she is capable of recovery then she will. Some poultry vitamins and eloctrolytes may help. Best of luch to you.