Integration mishap- pullet with bloody head

[Bawkbok]

As Eggcessive mentioned, the green looks and sounds like bruising. Her head looks really good and she's coming along nicely.

I wouldn't worry too much about the cold temps, they can handle that and at her age she should have enough feathering. The drafts and direct wind are the biggest things to mitigate and it sounds like you've done a wonderful job with that.

As you mentioned, I would avoid bringing her into the house. She'll be fine with your set up.

Apologies for late responses; have family visiting for the holidays.

Keep us updated on her progress; you're doing a great job!

 

[My1stChickens]

thanks Bawkbok, appreciate your encouragement! I had them set up pretty well in the coop, and went back to check them around 8:30 so I could reset the timers on the LED heaters to 12 hours-- keeping them on til morning. This morning it was 26 outside (colder than forecast) but 35 in the coop and they were fine. I kept them in til 11 when it was up to 35 outside. Honestly they were not so sure they wanted to go out. But Baldy is in her kennel with a huge cardboard box that's been the garage for a while, since it won't fit in a trash bin... It is about 3' by 4.5' and only a foot high, so it's standing against the North side of her kennel. The sun is out, but there's still some wind. Nothing like last night, only 15 mph but enough that the windchill matters. Temp is forecast to get to 45 by 4pm-- will try to bring them in at 4 before temps drop. It's already much warmer in the coop (sun is hitting the honeycomb greenhouse panels. I did realize that on the rare days when we have wind advisories I need a bit more stuff to block wind. Will look into options and get that done in the next week or so- which should ensure no more wind advisories for a year LOL.

 

[My1stChickens]

Monday morning-- she's not adjusted very well to kennel life, but she's healing. Still eating, drinking. Also steps up into her food and water to express her displeasure with confinement. Original scalping happened Christmas morning, so this is day 5. I know I'm posting a lot of pictures, but I thought it might help someone who is dealing with the same thing to see a "case study" in how long it takes. (and how awful it looks)

 

[Eggcessive]

She is looking better. It does really help others who have similar situations to post your pictures of healing. Keep us posted.

 

[Bawkbok]

Also steps up into her food and water to express her displeasure with confinement.

It's not natural for them to be confined to such a small space for an extended period of time. I wonder if you could let her roam free with her fellow pullets - apart from the bigger chickens - to get some observed exercise and social interaction for a bit. It might boost her spirits some also.
She appears to be healing nicely.

 

[Eggcessive]

Ten years ago when my 2 Polish hens were alive, they occasionally had their head feathers pecked out exposing red raw skin. I used BluKote on the bare wounds once they began to heal. Some people don’t like BluKote, a gentian violet and alcohol spray that is used for scrapes and to hide red wounds to prevent pecking. But I had good luck with it, using it every 2-3 days until feathers come back in. Not every method works for different chickens, but it worked for me. That way they could be back with their flock under a close eye.

 

[My1stChickens]

Ten years ago when my 2 Polish hens were alive, they occasionally had their head feathers pecked out exposing red raw skin. I used BluKote on the bare wounds once they began to heal. Some people don’t like BluKote, a gentian violet and alcohol spray that is used for scrapes and to hide red wounds to prevent pecking. But I had good luck with it, using it every 2-3 days until feathers come back in. Not every method works for different chickens, but it worked for me. That way they could be back with their flock under a close eye.

would I apply it after the Neosporin? Does it dry out the skin? I thought I had to keep it moist.... but would absolutely like to get this girl out of jail. She is vigorous, but I realize they will have to reestablish rank and do not want them pecking her injured head. I will check the feed store for this today!

 

[My1stChickens]

It's not natural for them to be confined to such a small space for an extended period of time. I wonder if you could let her roam free with her fellow pullets - apart from the bigger chickens - to get some observed exercise and social interaction for a bit. It might boost her spirits some also.
She appears to be healing nicely.

I'm going to try some supervised play time. Just have to get some BluCote or else use the Peck No More. Fingers crossed.

 

[My1stChickens]

Ten years ago when my 2 Polish hens were alive, they occasionally had their head feathers pecked out exposing red raw skin. I used BluKote on the bare wounds once they began to heal. Some people don’t like BluKote, a gentian violet and alcohol spray that is used for scrapes and to hide red wounds to prevent pecking. But I had good luck with it, using it every 2-3 days until feathers come back in. Not every method works for different chickens, but it worked for me. That way they could be back with their flock under a close eye.

@Eggcessive -- I got some BluKote. It's aerosol. How did you spray it on their heads without getting it in their eyes? I'm thinking spray it into a small container, then use a Q-tip? or gloved finger? Or even the little tip/spreader from the Peck no More? I just can't imagine spraying directly on the area, it's too close to her eyes.
Is her head healed enough for this or do I need to wait a bit longer? And do I spray over top of the Neosporin? (moisture on the skin, blue coloring on top?)

 

[Eggcessive]

BluKote can be drying, but I would use it once the area dries or scabs a little. I spray it but it is messy, and stains. You could spray a little on a gloved finger or get it close to the skin (have a holder.) It fades over time, but it stains fingers and clothes because it contains gentian violet, a dark blue/purple antibacterial/antifungal medication and also alcohol. I use it every 2-3 days, and eventually the feathers will grown in. If it for some reason causes more pecking then discontinue it.