Large infection/wound (graphic pics)

[rossi2813]

Hello,

I noticed a hen looking sluggish the last few days and finally got a hold of her yesterday as it looked like the other hens were pecking at her back. It was an incredibly nasty scab that had a horrible smell, there were a few spots where the scab was broken through and it was hard yellowish puss or infected flesh. I wet the area and removed the scab and "puss" due to matted feathers and blood. The smell was repulsive. She didn't react much to me touching the area but I am at a loss for what it is. She looks alert but is definitely sluggish. I'm really surprised she's still alive due to the severity of the wound. I applied some vetricin to the area. I do not have any roosters and I don't think its a wound from a hawk or something of that nature as there were feathers still growing out of this area until I removed them.

Any ideas of what this could be or what I can do? I'm debating culling the bird tonight as a Vet is out of the question.

 

[Ethnickle03]

I don’t have much experience but one time our duck got an absess and it busted before we noticed it and it did look similar to that. Then of course the other chickens pecked at it and made it worse! We just put antibiotic everyday and made sure she was seperate. I hope you can figure it out and help her out!!!

 

[turkey girl 0964]

Do you have blu kote? This helps my girls. You should probably separate her from the rest of the flock.

 

[theoldchick]

https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-care-for-injured-chicken-and/

 

[Farm life101]

You will definitely have to flush out the area and keep it clean, it will definitely need daily care and she will have to be separated from the flock. If you can get some oral antibiotics that will help it heal and help her stay alive and healthy. I would recommend getting an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal spry and use that along with an antibiotic cream (a strong one) on her wound. Once it is cleaned up you will also be able to asses the damage easier to know the severity and deepness of the wound. Some extra protein along with her normal feed like eggs and other foods like yogurt and fresh greens can also help to keep her fighting and strong. I see that its snowy where you are so I would say to bring her indoors if possible as her trying to keep warm will be difficult. Hopefully you can help her!

 

[rossi2813]

You will definitely have to flush out the area and keep it clean, it will definitely need daily care and she will have to be separated from the flock. If you can get some oral antibiotics that will help it heal and help her stay alive and healthy. I would recommend getting an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal spry and use that along with an antibiotic cream (a strong one) on her wound. Once it is cleaned up you will also be able to asses the damage easier to know the severity and deepness of the wound. Some extra protein along with her normal feed like eggs and other foods like yogurt and fresh greens can also help to keep her fighting and strong. I see that its snowy where you are so I would say to bring her indoors if possible as her trying to keep warm will be difficult. Hopefully you can help her!

Hey,
I'm going to bring her inside tonight and clean it out and apply the vetricyn I have and will look tomorrow for more wound care items. I have tylan 50 on hand and verm-x, do you think I should add that to her water for the time being? Will give yogurt and fresh greens with her food the next few days.

 

[aart]

I have tylan 50 on hand and verm-x, do you think I should add that to her water for the time being?

Verm-x will do nothing.
I don't think Tylan works in water.
Don't use blukote, it will keep you from seeing the condition of the wound.

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[Farm life101]

Hey,
I'm going to bring her inside tonight and clean it out and apply the vetricyn I have and will look tomorrow for more wound care items. I have tylan 50 on hand and verm-x, do you think I should add that to her water for the time being? Will give yogurt and fresh greens with her food the next few days.

the tylan 50 wont really do anything, may even cause more harm than good so i would skip that but i would give her the verm-x it may not do too much but anything that helps is better than nothing. If you are able to get some save a chick and offer that to her along with normal water. If you are able to get some penicillin i think that would help the most, however im unsure of dosage for that but i believe its an injectable most of the time. also i would only give her a small amount of yogurt, maybe one spoonful each day i hope she gets better quickly and that the wound isnt too difficult!

 

[aart]

the tylan 50 wont really do anything

Tylan 50 is an antibiotic.
Verm-x is herbs.

 

[Painted Calls]

I would flush it out REALLY well with Saline, (diluted iodine/betadine or Chlorhexidine would be best) or even just plain tepid soapy water. Don't be afraid to gently scrub to loosen some of the debris and eschar. Pat dry gently and apply a plain triple antibiotic ointment. Vetericyn works great between ointment applications.

Keep her in where it's warm. A dog crate in a spare bedroom works well for a "hospital bay".

She will need antibiotics. @casportpony is the meds expert. You think Baytril or Metronidazole? Something different? Will the Tylan work?

Keep a thick layer of ointment on her. The key to healing is to KEEP IT MOIST. Do not let it dry out.