Injured Comb

[Jordon81]

Hi -

My hen injured her comb sticking her head through a fence hole and pulling out. We’ve done corn starch to stop the bleeding and an anti-septic but she keeps scratching at it because it is hanging into her eyesight. What can I do to help her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Hard to tell how much is hanging, can you get a photo of the other side?

Often they will shake their head and scratch due to the feeling of blood running down the head or it feels sticky to them.

I'd give her a good cleanup and wash all the blood off, see if she stops.

If there's a lot hanging and it's in her eyesight, you may need to trim the hanging portion off with very sharp scissors (Dub).

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

Is there a thin piece hanging or is it a thick part of her comb?

It's best not to bandage it. You can use triple antibiotic (without a painkiller in it) ointment on it too. I think what I'd do is put her in a chick chair for a couple of days so she can't scratch it while it heals.

Something like this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/post-22622292

 

[Jordon81]

Welcome To BYC

Hard to tell how much is hanging, can you get a photo of the other side?

Often they will shake their head and scratch due to the feeling of blood running down the head or it feels sticky to them.

I'd give her a good cleanup and wash all the blood off, see if she stops.

If there's a lot hanging and it's in her eyesight, you may need to trim the hanging portion off with very sharp scissors (Dub).

Thank you so much for your reply. Here is another angle of it. She’s seemed to have stopped scratching at it now that it’s stopped bleeding. We’ve also noticed the smallest tip of her beak is missing

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for your reply. Here is another angle of it. She’s seemed to have stopped scratching at it now that it’s stopped bleeding. We’ve also noticed the smallest tip of her beak is missing

Poor girl!

That much hanging over the side, if she were mine, I'd just cut it off (Dub). A very sharp pair of scissors will do the trick or if you have Vet Care, that would be a good option.

When dubbing, the comb is going to bleed a lot, but it should soon quite with pressure. You can also use a little blood stop if you wish, that's up to you.
Make sure to give electrolytes afterward so she stays hydrated. I'd also cage her for a day within the run or coop letting her rest a bit and making sure the cut scabs over really well before putting her back.

Tip of the beak looks relatively minor, just watch that she's eating/drinking o.k.

Note, you can find some videos on youtube about Dubbing Poultry For Show. Certain breeds, especially Old English Gamefowl (mostly Males) are dubbed (Combs, Wattles and Earlobes) at a particular age in order to qualify for Standard Of Perfection in poultry showing. Most Dubbing is done for aesthetics, it can be done for other reasons like in your case, due to injury. Sometimes a comb may have an abscess or some other condition which warrants being dubbed as well.