leghorn with sore/cut on top of foot

[maiajay]

Hi,
This is my first post, though we've used this board as a resource several times. Thanks!
We have a hen with an open wound on the top of one of its feet that keeps scabbing over and then bleeding again due to pecking.
From what I can tell she is mostly be pecking it herself, but some of the others seem to take her cue and join in.
We have 7 hens in total in a spacious run and coop, but she is at the bottom of the totem pole and she has been spending a lot of time inside the coop since this injury.
Wondering what recommendations ya'll might have as to how to deal with this. We're concerned that if we bandage it she/they will be even more interested, but if we don't that it will get infected.
We've been giving them extra scraps to keep them occupied, but like I mentioned, it seems to start to heal and then the wound gets opened again. This has been going on for a few weeks.
I'd appreciate any insight on the topic.
Thanks and Peace,
Maya

 

[b.hromada]

Hi Maya. I know that Blue Kote is recommended on here a lot. It covers up the bloody or red areas so as not to call attention to the wound. This helps stop the pecking at it. Also, maybe a little triple anti-biotic ointment as well, the one without the pain medication in it. Hope this helps. and

from S. Florida! Its great to have you here with us!

 

[Tala]

I think I'd take her out at night, and soak her foot in warm saline solution for about 10 minutes if you can hold her that long (keep it dark so she stays sleepy, and/or put a towel on her head) then after it dries well, I think I would go with pine tar (sold by the horse stuff) or a Blue kote type (sold with horse/cattle meds) but you could even put on regular "anti-pick" (sold with chicken stuff at the feed store)

I agree, I don't think I'd bandage it.

 

[maiajay]

Thank you both.
This is helpful. We'll try to find one of those products tomorrow.
And thanks for the welcome--

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Dab a little pine tar on it and the picking should stop.

.....Alan.

 

[maiajay]

Hi again,
Update: It's been a couple of weeks and we put some pine tar on her foot. It seemed better for a day or two but she started pecking in again and now has lost the toe nail. We just went out and did it again but precedent seems to indicate that she will just keep at it. Do ya'll recommend taking her to the vet? Will they be able to do something different? It seems like a compulsion on her part. She pecks the "toe" all day long--it dries overnight and then she's back at it...and there's trail of blood in the run and coop. Anyway, we're at a loss as to what else to do. (And finding the process of cathching her to put the pine tar on pretty difficult and stressful for all involved). Where does this sort of thing lead if left alone?
Thanks for your input and insight--
Peace,
Maya

 

[Attack Chicken]

Try treating it then putting a baby sock around her foot and tightening (not to tight) at the top of the sock with some tape. I used with when treating my leghorn girls for bumblefoot.

 

[maiajay]

Good idea--
Thank you.
Maya

 

[EastinChickens]

You should separete her, Once the other guys smell blood they will keep pecking at it.
I had a chicken in the same situation last year, and everybody eventually pecked her to death.

So, my advice is, separate her and treat it. If you can't separate her, put grease on the wound- it tastes bad to them (and covers the blood scent) so they'll stop pecking at it, as well as the hen.

Hope this helped.

 

[maiajay]

I think I read about your experience in the forums when I was researching our situation Definitely would like to avoid something like that happening.
...So grease more than pine tar? Re. seperating her--she seems to mostly be doing it herself. I noticed the other chickens taking some interest in the beginning (a month or so ago), but lately my husband and I only see her doing it.
Will try the sock and maybe the grease and see if that helps--
Thanks for your help--
Maya