Human injury, what are the risks?

[Pelops]

Two of my young chickens decided to use my head as a roost as I was feeding them. One lacerated my ear while doing so with its talons, which bled quite profusely.

I'm new to chicken keeping. I'm just wondering what deseases can be carried by poo impregnated chicken claws and the risks of infection?

I know it wasn't an intentional attack, I'd just like to know others experiences and the implications as it's not something that is usually discussed here.

I did wash my ear immediately and applied an iodine based veterinary spray to the injury, so I presume I'm OK, but how common is this, how dangerous could an injury become and what's the recommended procedure?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Let me ask an Educator, I'm not sure.

@Eggcessive @coach723

 

[nuthatched]

I would just monitor for now, if there's any hear or redness, you'll need an antibiotic prescription

 

[littlepip]

Two of my young chickens decided to use my head as a roost as I was feeding them. One lacerated my ear while doing so with its talons, which bled quite profusely.

I'm new to chicken keeping. I'm just wondering what deseases can be carried by poo impregnated chicken claws and the risks of infection?

I know it wasn't an intentional attack, I'd just like to know others experiences and the implications as it's not something that is usually discussed here.

I did wash my ear immediately and applied an iodine based veterinary spray to the injury, so I presume I'm OK, but how common is this, how dangerous could an injury become and what's the recommended procedure?

You should be fine after washing it out and treating it. I’ve been scratched like this before as well, and watching it is key. Most of the time you’ll be fine and it’ll heal, in the rare occasion you do form an infection or you notice the ear swelling and becoming hot, go to a doctor who can prescribe you meds.

 

[coach723]

Sorry, just saw this. I've been scratched, pecked (blood drawn) and spurred pretty painfully. I treat them as I would any other injury, wash/flush it out well, apply your favored ointment, and keep an eye on it. I've never had to do anything else, never had further infection. With a spur injury in particular, care should be taken, as it's often a puncture, and those can be more likely to get infected, so those I would flush out particularly thoroughly. If you were immune compromised in some way, and more than average susceptible to infection, then more care might be needed.

 

[Pelops]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Just to let you know that the wound is healing nicely and there's no infection.
I think with it being my ear, it bled more profusely, which, as I couldn't see it, made me think the injury was worse than it actually was.

I'm still new to this and the thought of chicken injuries never entered my head and something I'd never heard of before. You live and learn by experience and I'm sure this won't be my last.

On the whole I'm enjoying every minute of it.