Injured Comb...please help

[Roneyroost05]

We have a 3 year old hen that has an injury to her comb. We found her very bloody with her comb drooping over her face. We washed her as good as we could with a homemade saline solution and applied Vetericyn. We have 3 mild mannered hens and this is a first for us. Please help!

 

[AGeese]

Maybe put some Vaseline on her comb to protect it. Do you think it's a fight with the other chickens or maybe seems like a predator? No wounds under the feathers?

 

[Roneyroost05]

Maybe put some Vaseline on her comb to protect it. Do you think it's a fight with the other chickens or maybe seems like a predator? No wounds under the feathers?

Well..there were blood marks on the coop where they roost at night? So I thought maybe a pecking wound? I will look under the feathers more. I saw some posts about possibly cutting her comb off?

 

[21hens-incharge]

That is a seriously torn comb!

Poor girl. Looks to me like she stuck her head through an opening and got hung up.

That is above my injury experience level. I will tag a few who may be able to help or know who can.

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous can any of you advise on this poor hens injury?

 

[AGeese]

Well..there were blood marks on the coop where they roost at night? So I thought maybe a pecking wound? I will look under the feathers more. I saw some posts about possibly cutting her comb off?

At that extent probably would be easier to just dub her, otherwise not sure how you'd stitch that up.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree, it might be best to take very sharp scissors, and cut off the hanging part. There are some videos and links online. I will try to find some info. A Geese, do you have any advice on dubbing?

 

[azygous]

Some years ago, one of my roosters detached the comb of a hen he was enraged with that was rejecting his advances. I cleaned it up with saline and then took triple antibiotic ointment and used it as "glue" to cement the detached comb back in place on her head. This is like a skin graft, and it healed very quickly.

You will need to paste the comb back in place each day for about three days until the graft "takes".

I think your hen would appreciate the effort to save her comb by grafting it in place. If too much time has passed and the tissue is dead, of course this won't work. But if the dangling comb is still warm and has good color, it should work.

 

[Roneyroost05]

Some years ago, one of my roosters detached the comb of a hen he was enraged with that was rejecting his advances. I cleaned it up with saline and then took triple antibiotic ointment and used it as "glue" to cement the detached comb back in place on her head. This is like a skin graft, and it healed very quickly.

You will need to paste the comb back in place each day for about three days until the graft "takes".

I think your hen would appreciate the effort to save her comb by grafting it in place. If too much time has passed and the tissue is dead, of course this won't work. But if the dangling comb is still warm and has good color, it should work.

We will try that. I am terrified to dub it. But we will do what we have to.

 

[AGeese]

Also if you don't think it was the other hens, then you've probably got a weak raccoon or a big possum. I believe they go for the heads.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I would isolate her, dress the wound with Vetricyn, being mindful of her eyes. Maybe apply Hen Healer. I'm glad it was only her comb.