Injured Chicken also Brooding

[jwankowski]

As I previously mentioned, I have 2 hens that have chunks of their backs missing (picture attached). Apparently a Rhode Island Red decided to go broody and stayed in the nesting box trying to hatch a bunch of eggs. Another hen, a Wyndotte, tried to get in the same nesting box with her and a they each got wounded. I removed the RIR hen and took out all of the eggs she was laying on, and when I put her back in the coop she went into the run to eat and drink and then came back to the coop. I understand that I need to separate the RIR brooder from the coop until she gets back to normal. I assume I should also separate the Wyndotte as well. Should I take them to the vet to treat their wounds or leave them alone? Or should I get rid of the two injured birds to prevent problems with the rest of the flock?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

This doesn't look to me like it would have been caused by a single mishap in a brood box. You should keep the wound moist with Vetericyn and an antibiotic ointment free of pain reliever to speed up healing. If you want her to hatch eggs, ideally, they should each have their own private nesting space. I used a bit of old chicken wire to form a cage within the coop big enough to hold food, water, and the nest. My hen preferred it to being moved out of the coop entirely. If the Wyandotte is not broody there is no need to remove her. If you do not want eggs, then in this case she should still be isolated, but without a nesting box. She is injured so she should not remain with the flock until feathers are growing back.

 

[jwankowski]

Thanks. I have her only to produce eggs, no reproduction. The coop has 6 nesting boxes and room for 12 chickens. I'll try your remedy and see how it goes.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Good luck! Do you have a rooster? I'd keep an eye out for an overly aggressive hen or roo just to be safe. Sorta looks like wounds from excessive mounting for me but I've never had a hen with this level of injuring so I am guessing. Chickens are very resilient so she should heal up fine.

 

[jwankowski]

Good luck! Do you have a rooster? I'd keep an eye out for an overly aggressive hen or roo just to be safe. Sorta looks like wounds from excessive mounting for me but I've never had a hen with this level of injuring so I am guessing. Chickens are very resilient so she should heal up fine.

I do not have a rooster. I moved the two injured hens to separate cages a few days ago to let them heal and hopefully stop brooding. The rest of the flock is acting normal and seems to be ok. How long does it take for a hen to stop brooding after being isolated? I thought a week might do it. What do you think?