Huge gash in my Hen's side from the roo's spurs

[Sunshyne4u2c]

I am having issues with my hens getting loved a bit much from our roo, to be honest he's a bit clumsy at it. He isn't agressive but he is so backwards that most of the time the hen comes sliding underneath him and he's left looking like, where did she go?? LOL (shh...don't tell him I told you that) I was searching to see what to do since yesterday morning I found one hen with a huge gash in her side under her wing. Not knowing what to do I googled it and once again BYC had so many wonderful ideas! I washed out the wound with peroxcide and dried it then applied Blu-kote to it. I put her in a pen alone with food and water and hope to see her heal up.
I am new to this chicken thing but have come to love it in the year we've had our first flock. So...a year ago we got some free run chickens and ended up with two roosters out of ten chicks. Not bad I guess, until recently all was well then one of our roo's (the main man) decided to start flogging me and the kids when they would play outside. NOT GOOD in my book, so after giving him several chances I cowgirled up and made him into dinner. Wow, that was an experience for sure but not as bad as I thought. Taking his life was the hard part, it's just not natural to do that but you gotta do what you gotta do. All in all it was a great learning experience for my kiddos and me. That is what left "Henry" the rooster I spoke of above to be the big guy now, but I think my hens miss their macho roo who was much more smooth and not so clumsy. I am thinking about using the plier method to remove his spurs..any thoughts on that? Anyways, I m going to be fashioning some chicken aprons and trying that. Also read that black sunflower seeds would be a great suppliment of protien to help get their feathers back in shape. SO glad it's spring and they can once again free range!!! If anyone has any ideas or comments I would love to hear them! I have also been using diatomaceous earth mixed with sand for them to bathe in, I heard that keeps away parasites.

 

[chickenzoo]

Sounds like you are doing good. I use the pliers to remove the spurs off my standard roos, my bantams often come off just by hand twisting. Some bleed more than others, some barly at all. Clip the toenails also while you have him. Will take him some time to learn more manly moves for the girls.

 

[CCourson05]

You could buy chicken saddles/aprons... they are pretty useful.

lovemychix... she makes the ones with and without the wing protectors...

ETA: you can feed them cabbage to help control the bleeding... I give mine a head a week for this purpose...just in case.

 

[Sunshyne4u2c]

Thanks,
I did the plier thing today and it was really easy! Henry didn't even flinch. What a good sport!

Our hen is doing better, walking and not limping and couldn't wait to get to a nesting box this morning. Hopped right in! The Blu-kote seems to be working. I will apply some Neosporin tomorrow and plan on making some aprons for the girls too! I never heard the cabbage thing either, good to know.

Thank you!

 

[Sunshyne4u2c]

Got up this morning and checked Henry's spurs, they still had blood on them but they aren't like dripping blood at all just red like when I first did it. I used some Blu-kote since he'd be out in the yard and such. I hope they heal quick! He doesn't act like they bother him though.