Injured Chicken, HELP!!!

ChickenFriends4

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2 nights ago a dog got into our movable chicken run and killed 8/12 chicken and seriously hurt another one. We only have 3 healthy ones left but are trying to save the injured one. This morning, we saw 2 maggots in her open wound but I made sure I got those off. Tonight there were MANY more. She kept pecking at them and soon I saw no more but her feathers around the wound could be hiding them. I have questions of what to do now:
1. How do I kill any remaining maggots?
2. Do I trim her feathers around the injury? And if I do, is it going to hurt her worse and how far from her skin?
3. Do I put neosprin and wrap it with self adhesive wrap or let it air out?
4. I saw somewhere on here to give her a bath but what kind of soap and is it safe to do it with her injury?

Thank you for any help in advance!
 
I would bring her in the house if possible to keep more flies from laying eggs in her wound. Honestly, maggots can cause much more damage that the original wound. Some peroxide can help flush them out but, if they keep on coming - they must already been deep inside. They can even migrate to the brain. Do you have a vet you could take her to who may know something that will kill them all before they take over?

Please post in full detail at "emergencies, diseases, injuries, cures," thread. I know something about maggots because a person told of her silkie being overrun by them. With his heavy feathering, it went undiscovered for too long a time. It was a major battle for quite some time, to finally get them all out and bring her bird back to full health.
The silkie had a great attitude throughout which surely helped his recovery.

That had a profound effect on me and I try to mention often to folks NOT to give flies a chance to get to injured birds. Most people just ignore me.
 
So sorry about your losses and the injury.

Here's a link to how to deal with this: http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Myiasis-Overview-H269.aspx

Do try to locate a vet to help with the treatment, they can sedate her for the procedure. Until then, clean the wounds and all poop off the chicken with saline. Pick as many of the maggots off that you can find with tweezers. Clip the feathers off of the wound and around it , I don't think cutting the feathers causes pain, but movements of the follicles especially in the wound would - so hold the feathers steady and trim with scissors. Just cut enough so you can clearly see the wound and skin.

You can buy the saline in any pharmacy. I would not apply neosporin, it can seal in infection and can only prevent but not treat an infection, they need antibiotics, these wounds are always infected.

Take drumstick diva's advise and move the wounded inside to your "chicken hospital".
 
I'm so sorry about your flock. You have gotten some great advice already on caring for your injured bird. I hope she pulls through. :hugs
 
Welcome, and sorry for this terrible news!

I agree that if you can not get to a vet..that saline would be great..yes, keep the bird inside someway so no more flies can get to her. Go to a thread mentioned above, and find out what others have used as an anti biotic. Good luck~!
 
We brought her to the vet and she is staying the night! Thank you for all of the advice!!
 
Good luck!
hugs.gif
 

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