Injured and losing weight large white layer

Isisranch

In the Brooder
11 Years
May 27, 2008
61
0
39
Strasburg, Colorado
I have a large white chicken (the heavy layer kind from McMurray's) who got out of the coop over a week ago. My faithful dog was trying to help put her back? He doesn't like any of the livestock not being where they should be. She lost many of her tail feathers and half of her neck feathers. She seemed otherwise unharmed at the time.

Over the last week however the other Hens are now picking on her (hen pecked?) and she has lost almost all neck feathers but her rear end is now discharging dark red blood, she has lost weight and basically looks like crap. I am new to chickens and have not done any treatment since I have no experience and this is our first attack.

I am not willing to spend a lot of money on this bird as she is several years old. I was planning today on possibly moving her to a dog kennel? She is eating and drinking if she can get there before the other hens attack, she is currently still laying, blood increases with laying. I am thinking she should be culled. Any guidance would be great. Thanks

I have 6 Large white, 5 Blacks, 2 speckled and 23 RIR's in an enclosure 60'x60' with two coops and 10 boxes. I can post pictures if that helps.
 
I would have this girl at the vet pronto but if you aren't going to do that, separate her - nice warm comfy stress free quiet place with plenty of food and water and clean bedding. Topical neosporin (without the pain relief ingredient) on surficial wounds.
Are you saying she has internal bleeding (internal injuries?) or is there a wound that is bleeding that is near her vent, thus stressed when she lays?
3 drops children's Polyvisol liquid vitamins per day for a week (dribble each drop slowly along her beak line so she doesn't choke).
Offer scrambled egg so she can get some extra protein. Even a bit of good quality cat food - her weight loss is concerning so whatever entices her to eat more protein to help with this stressful situation for her and her feather loss. Black oil sunflower seeds is another thing they usually like.
Is her poop normal?
JJ
 
Keep her separated from the rest of the birds. Use saline solution to clean her wounds. Give her protein rich foods, it helps the healing process. If you use hydrogen peroxide to clean her, use it only the first time for a good cleaning. Repeated use of hydrogen peroxide damages the healthy tissue.
Other hens tend to pick at an impaired chicken or at bloody spots, so it is important to keep this hen away from the rest of the flock. If she didn't have any major internal injuries, she should recover just fine with just a little extra attention.
You might want to check BYC member dlhunicorns site, it has lots of sensible information regarding poultry care. http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi
 

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