Injury - Chick missing half of skull Need advice

[DoodleRoo]

hopefully she makes a full recovery and lives a long, productive life for you.

if she makes it i think you should name her bobby mcgee, in honor of this guy:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=robert+mcgee&t=ffsb&ia=web

I appreciate that and thanks for sharing that story! What an amazingly, horrible experience to survive through. Especially for a child. If this chick makes it I just may take your advice and name her after that (tough) guy!

 

[cacknballs]

you're welcome.

and don't feel weird about it... i have a white leghorn mix hen that my 7 year old named george washington...????

 

[SIMZ]

That looks pretty nasty! I'm so sorry that happened to her. It's had to tell from the pictures (I have the same problem taking close-ups. lol), but I'm still guessing it's mostly a flesh wound. I seems like she'd be dead or showing some serious symptoms if her brain was exposed.

Again, if you're willing to, I'd give her a chance as long as she's acting very normal. Chickens can heal from some nasty wounds, but they also don't show suffering as quickly as we might expect, so keep that in mind. Hopefully, someone can offer you some specifics on wound care.

One of my chicks got into the turkey pen and was similarly pecked on the head - although the flap of skin was still there, so healing was much easier.

 

[DogCatChickMom]

Oh my goodness! My little pullet has a pecking injury on the back of her skull (I'm sure) as it was their first day outside of the kennel in the coop. I should have done it on a day i'd have been home. it's about an inch by a quarter of an inch and open. From what I'm reading it's best to irrigate the wound and leave it open but also put some antibiotic ointment on it. Hope she heals!! I feel your pain!

 

[DoodleRoo]

Oh my goodness! My little pullet has a pecking injury on the back of her skull (I'm sure) as it was their first day outside of the kennel in the coop. I should have done it on a day i'd have been home. it's about an inch by a quarter of an inch and open. From what I'm reading it's best to irrigate the wound and leave it open but also put some antibiotic ointment on it. Hope she heals!! I feel your pain!

Thank you! I hope your chick heals too. Poor little thing!

 

[DoodleRoo]

Update! Most the scalp on my chick has healed, there's only a very small area now that is missing skin. I've been washing the wound and disinfecting it twice daily, then adding a big gloop of triple antibiotic ointment all over her scalp.

The bonus to this episode, so far, is that she loves to roost on my shoulder while I stream netflix. She 'trills' happily (I guess you could call it a chicken purr) while I have her perched on me.

I'm hoping that she'll be well enough in about a week or so to rejoin her siblings.

 

[cacknballs]

that is great news! thanks for the update.

 

[Chickensfan]

that is great news! thanks for the update.

X2!

 

[Eggcessive]

Be very cautious when you are preparing to reintegrate her. I would start putting her back with the others in a small cage with food and water, so they can be together. Then, have some supervised visits with them (the ones of her age) for days. This may take some time because she is not part of their pecking order. I worry a little about her getting hurt again. Sometimes it is easier to put a friend in with her for awhile, then add the 2 to the flock. Anyway, I am glad that she has survived well and is healing. A single chick sometimes bonds very close to it's owner. Good luck.

 

[cacknballs]

Be very cautious when you are preparing to reintegrate her. I would start putting her back with the others in a small cage with food and water, so they can be together. Then, have some supervised visits with them (the ones of her age) for days. This may take some time because she is not part of their pecking order. I worry a little about her getting hurt again. Sometimes it is easier to put a friend in with her for awhile, then add the 2 to the flock. Anyway, I am glad that she has survived well and is healing. A single chick sometimes bonds very close to it's owner. Good luck.

eggcellent point/advice!!