lcwmt
Songster
The bird in question is a one year old pullet, healthy, normally housed in 50 sq foot well ventilated and secure coop, 100 sq feet of covered run space with a cockerel, (5) 2 y.o. hens and 4 other 1 y.o. pullets..
They are fed Nutrena All Flock with BOSS, scratch and worms as occasional treats. They free range a few hours a day. Generally speaking they get along well with minimal jockeying for position and only some dismay as the cockerel goes through his hormonal spurts.
Monday it was observed that this pullet had some abrasions and disturbed feathers on her head and back of neck. Tuesday she looked a little more roughed up so I brought her in the house.
She was bright eyed, alert and responsive. No indications of shock or puncture wounds. (One other bird has similar scraping. I suspect the roo hasn't learned his manners yet and is prone to holding on too tight)
We treated with Saline rinse followed by Veterycin rinse, put her in a covered cat carrier and kept her in for the night. In the morning treated with BluCoat, watched for a bit and put her back with the others. She spent the day out, pecking around and acting quite herself.
Wednesday morning she was active, out and about. However, when I went out to check things in the afternoon, she looked bloodied. There were blood smears on one of the roost supports and what looked like bloody tissue on the coop floor. I brought her in and did another exam. More abrasions but again, no punctures or signs of shock.
It seemed she had been picked at that day. (I probably didn't get enough Blu Coat on due to the location of the scrapes - just a little close to the eyes for me... My other mistake was putting her back out too soon.)
Again, treated with Saline rinse, followed by Veterycin rinse. We brought one of the dog crates in and set her up to recover quietly with omre space. She is eating and drinking and eliminating as normal. She is bright eyed, alert, made a nest in the corner of the crate (I had added a nesting pad and a roost bar to the set up). She's been scratching at the food that she knocked out of its container.
In essence I think all is well. We have no Avian Vets here and none of the Ag Vets will see chickens. My plan is to clean the affected area twice a day, keep her in and under close observation until healing is obvious and spray with Blu Coat before putting her back with the others. If needs be, it may be possible to get a local antibiotic to treat with but that really shouldn't be necessary.
Here's my question: She has been squawking and singing all day with a wide range of vocalizations. She is usually one of the quieter birds. This is the only time she has been isolated. Should I bring one of the mellow birds in to keep her company or let her tough it out alone until she heals?
We have a "special needs" hen who might be the perfect quiet companion.
Of course it is possible that anthropomorphising(SP?) is going on <G> but these are social critters. What would you do?
They are fed Nutrena All Flock with BOSS, scratch and worms as occasional treats. They free range a few hours a day. Generally speaking they get along well with minimal jockeying for position and only some dismay as the cockerel goes through his hormonal spurts.
Monday it was observed that this pullet had some abrasions and disturbed feathers on her head and back of neck. Tuesday she looked a little more roughed up so I brought her in the house.
She was bright eyed, alert and responsive. No indications of shock or puncture wounds. (One other bird has similar scraping. I suspect the roo hasn't learned his manners yet and is prone to holding on too tight)
We treated with Saline rinse followed by Veterycin rinse, put her in a covered cat carrier and kept her in for the night. In the morning treated with BluCoat, watched for a bit and put her back with the others. She spent the day out, pecking around and acting quite herself.
Wednesday morning she was active, out and about. However, when I went out to check things in the afternoon, she looked bloodied. There were blood smears on one of the roost supports and what looked like bloody tissue on the coop floor. I brought her in and did another exam. More abrasions but again, no punctures or signs of shock.
It seemed she had been picked at that day. (I probably didn't get enough Blu Coat on due to the location of the scrapes - just a little close to the eyes for me... My other mistake was putting her back out too soon.)
Again, treated with Saline rinse, followed by Veterycin rinse. We brought one of the dog crates in and set her up to recover quietly with omre space. She is eating and drinking and eliminating as normal. She is bright eyed, alert, made a nest in the corner of the crate (I had added a nesting pad and a roost bar to the set up). She's been scratching at the food that she knocked out of its container.
In essence I think all is well. We have no Avian Vets here and none of the Ag Vets will see chickens. My plan is to clean the affected area twice a day, keep her in and under close observation until healing is obvious and spray with Blu Coat before putting her back with the others. If needs be, it may be possible to get a local antibiotic to treat with but that really shouldn't be necessary.
Here's my question: She has been squawking and singing all day with a wide range of vocalizations. She is usually one of the quieter birds. This is the only time she has been isolated. Should I bring one of the mellow birds in to keep her company or let her tough it out alone until she heals?
We have a "special needs" hen who might be the perfect quiet companion.
Of course it is possible that anthropomorphising(SP?) is going on <G> but these are social critters. What would you do?