Infection

[Bickstead]

Im not sure why im posting this right now actually because I dont have any photos. It all happened rather quickly. But I guess I just wnat to share with people who will understand. I have the hen who ate a roofing nail and its protruding through her abdomen. Despite us cutting the end as close as possible, there is still some sticking out and unfortunately rubs on her skin some. I check periodically and up until now shes been completely fine. Yesterday I noticed a small lump off to the side near the nail end. My husband held her and I gently squeezed and a sharp white substance stuck out. Im thinking dried pus. And then the biggest ball of gunk started coming out. But it was so thick and caked in there. It took quite awhile of digging with tweezers to get it all out (but at that point I couldn't get my phone, but man do I wish I had recorded that). The nail seems to be protruding a little more than previously. And there is a slight odor coming from it. I literally asked her how she was still alive after all this. I know they hide illness and injury well, but even when shes separated she acts completely normal. So, we'll just keep on keeping on unless she shows me otherwise. I will never knowingly let any of my animals suffer. Surprisingly with how much stuff came out, the wound looks very superficial. I irrigated with saline solution and cleaned it out with iodine. Wish I could wrap it, but I dont see how I'd be able to keep a bandage wrapped around her. If you have any ideas, Id appreciate it. We're trying to think of somehting to attach to the end of the nail so it will be smooth and not poke her. We tried a couple things last night and they didnt work.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with that commenting here to gain more attention from more knowledgeable people.

 

[Bickstead]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with that commenting here to gain more attention from more knowledgeable people.

Thank you. We tried gluing a plastic tip to the end of the nail.but having a hard time getting something the right size and the glue isnt drying. I just want her to be as comfortable as possible.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Is it closer to her crop, breast, or between the legs? I am under the impression you have found a way to reach the nail from the inside but not pull it out, or you want the body to heal and push it out of her to prevent internal bleeding?

 

[Bickstead]

Is it closer to her crop, breast, or between the legs? I am under the impression you have found a way to reach the nail from the inside but not pull it out, or you want the body to heal and push it out of her to prevent internal bleeding?

It's between the legs. There is a video of us cutting the end of the nail off. It happened months ago and it was healed around the nail. But now shes dealing with wounds from the end of it poking and rubbing. I dont believe it will work its way out as the head of the nail is still inside. We don't have vets that see chickens. So we're on our own. Our main goal now is to figure out how to make a cap for the end of the nail to keep it from poking her further