Injured chicken

[Jcashier]

Hi all!
I’m new to this site. We have 3 chickens that are apart of our family. Yesterday the neighbors dog got over the fence and attacked them. 2 are okay just pretty shaken up, but the black one was pretty badly injured. Money’s tight right now so I can’t really afford to take her to a vet here in LA (everything is over priced here!) I read some of the post here and I’ve given her a little bit children’s Benadryl and washed the wound with witch hazel and water. I put Neosporin and covered it with gauze. I changed out the gauze a few times since yesterday. I had to cover the wound because she keeps picking at it and eating it (is this normal!?) right now i have her in my bathtub away from the others. She’s eating, drinking and pooping and This morning it looks like it’s healing but wondering if you guys can recommend anything else to do to avoid infection or death. Or might know when it’s safe to put her back in the coop?

I’ve attached pictures of Maserati

 

[staceyj]

So sorry this happened.
She’s lovely.

 

[staceyj]

Since she’s in the tub anyway you need to clean that wound well with soap and running water.

Do you have any hibiclens or betadine or any other kind of antibacterial agent?

 

[Melky]

As long as she has a wound would isolate till healed. Others may peck wound and cause further injury. If you have a local store where you can get an oral antibiotic as well ( Like a Tractor Supply or feed n seed). I would do it just to prevent wound infection. Should clean wound with soap and water each day, apply antibiotic ointment. Don’t rub. And redress to prevent her from bothering wound. If bothering dressing place vet wrap over it. Good Luck!

 

[dalasgalas]

Just an observation, careful with the food in the tub, it can clog up your drain, it expands when wet. It would just compound your stress at this time. Feathers clog the drain as well. If you can put a screen over the drain area.

 

[Melky]

I would try and get a small dog crate or box to keep her in instead of bath tub so you have use of your bathroom. Just lay some type of bedding in bottom that is easy to clean like pine mulch. Sanitize bath tub well before returned to human use. I would also provide sav a chick electrolytes to water and provide own food. Just put in front of her so she doesn’t have to move much to get or hang on crate side.

 

[Jcashier]

Just an observation, careful with the food in the tub, it can clog up your drain, it expands when wet. It would just compound your stress at this time. Feathers clog the drain as well. If you can put a screen over the drain area.

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't think about the drain!

 

[Jcashier]

I would try and get a small dog crate or box to keep her in instead of bath tub so you have use of your bathroom. Just lay some type of bedding in bottom that is easy to clean like pine mulch. Sanitize bath tub well before returned to human use. I would also provide sav a chick electrolytes to water and provide own food. Just put in front of her so she doesn’t have to move much to get or hang on crate side.

Bathtub seemed like the safest place to to put her since we have 4 dogs and a cat. Normally the dogs get along with the chicken but since she's wounded she looks like a snack right now Making the family use the other bathroom until its safe to move her again. But I will definitely sanitize the hell out of the bathroom when she's out

 

[Melky]

Oh you are so sweet. I get the behind closed doors due to prey drive and pestering. Thank god you have more than one bathroom.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ve given her a little bit children’s Benadryl and washed the wound with witch hazel and water. I put Neosporin and covered it with gauze. I changed out the gauze a few times since yesterday. I had to cover the wound because she keeps picking at it and eating it

Bathtub seemed like the safest place to to put her since we have 4 dogs and a cat. Normally the dogs get along with the chicken but since she's wounded she looks like a snack right now Making the family use the other bathroom until its safe to move her again. But I will definitely sanitize the hell out of the bathroom when she's out

How is she doing?
Newspaper may be a bit slippery in the tub. If you can, get some cheap shelf liner (I pick mine up at the dollar store), put a strip of that down, then put some puppy pads on top. Puppy pads are a bit more absorbent than paper as well.
You have no choice to cover the wound if she is picking at it. It looks like a lot of fat is exposed. Just check her wounds well every day for signs of infection. Once she starts scabbing over you may be able to get by with a diy chicken saddle, this might be easier than having to bandage her everyday and you can just lift the saddle up to examine her, but that's if she's not picking at herself (Chickens!)
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

I would also suggest finding a source of antibiotics just in case the wound gets infected. You are in CA so you may have to order some online. Amoxicillin would be good to have on hand for wounds. Fish Mox can be used you can buy it here https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/fish-mox?sku=22150-174 or check other places like Ebay.

Keep us posted on how she's doing.