Most likely a raccoon attack.

[CVMAKitten]

So yesterday around 0320 (we assume because the deer cameras caught some does who were VERY spooked and looking in the direction of the coop) I'm pretty sure a raccoon attacked and killed three of my girls. Two heads were ripped clean off, RIP Lucy, my RIR, and Beauty, my Australorp. My third girl Squints, a GLW, was just dead with maybe her neck snapped. My other girls were fine, so I thought. Then when I was setting them free to roam I found this wound. This girl is now named Lucky.


I sprayed her with Bactine (that's what I had on hand) and she was acting for the most part fine. She laid down a few times in the bushes with the other girls and when the girls wandered off, she would stay. I went and got some Blu Kote and she was sprayed in the afternoon after I cleaned out all the sand and leaf litter stuck in there.
She is now in the kennel in the coop with her close sweet friends Ethel my other RIR, Lil Bit my tiny Australorp, and Lola my Americana. The girls are always together and so sweet. I know Lil Bit misses Lucy because she is now stuck to Ethel like glue.
Will my girl recover? It was mostly a skin injury and we can CLEARLY see the muscles of her spine and shoulders. There is a small part where I can see the muscle on her spine has been damaged and was bleeding a little. My main concern is that this is a HUGE chunk of skin missing in a very sensitive area with lots of movement normally. She is eating and drinking well and the Blu Kote blends in with her black feathers phenomenally. Is there anything else I can/should do?

 

[sourland]

Skin lesions in poultry generally heal well, but take time to do so. I would apply antibiotic ointment and assure that flies can not get to the wound. Good luck with her.

 

[Merylyn]

So yesterday around 0320 (we assume because the deer cameras caught some does who were VERY spooked and looking in the direction of the coop) I'm pretty sure a raccoon attacked and killed three of my girls. Two heads were ripped clean off, RIP Lucy, my RIR, and Beauty, my Australorp. My third girl Squints, a GLW, was just dead with maybe her neck snapped. My other girls were fine, so I thought. Then when I was setting them free to roam I found this wound. This girl is now named Lucky. View attachment 2385130
I sprayed her with Bactine (that's what I had on hand) and she was acting for the most part fine. She laid down a few times in the bushes with the other girls and when the girls wandered off, she would stay. I went and got some Blu Kote and she was sprayed in the afternoon after I cleaned out all the sand and leaf litter stuck in there.
She is now in the kennel in the coop with her close sweet friends Ethel my other RIR, Lil Bit my tiny Australorp, and Lola my Americana. The girls are always together and so sweet. I know Lil Bit misses Lucy because she is now stuck to Ethel like glue.
Will my girl recover? It was mostly a skin injury and we can CLEARLY see the muscles of her spine and shoulders. There is a small part where I can see the muscle on her spine has been damaged and was bleeding a little. My main concern is that this is a HUGE chunk of skin missing in a very sensitive area with lots of movement normally. She is eating and drinking well and the Blu Kote blends in with her black feathers phenomenally. Is there anything else I can/should do?

I would wrap something around it like a piece of cloth so you do not expose the skin to more bacteria.

 

[Merylyn]

I would wrap something around it like a piece of cloth so you do not expose the skin to more bacteria (Under her wings).

 

[llandry]

A few thoughts......
1. Soooo incredibly sorry this happened to you and your chickens. Its the worst. Something similar has happened to most chicken owners at some point and its just awful. I'm sure whatever got them will be back for the rest so make sure you button up your week spots.
2. I lost most of a small flock once and one was attached but I scared the preditor off in the middle of it. She was definitely not the same chicken after that but I really attribute that to some level of brain damage due to a lack of oxygen vs traumatic experience. Her name was marbles which affectionately turned to crazy marbles.
3. Keep the area as clean as you can with daily rinses, topical antibiotic ointment and I'd cover it somehow if possible. More of a superficial wound can be left exposed but in my opinion thats pretty extensive to leave open and I think it needs to heal a bit before it can be left open.
4. Yes, the skin will granulate in over time. It will begin to close from the outer areas in towards the center.

Good luck and try to find out how the racoon got in because it will 100% be back.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I am so sorry!!
You did a great job at bringing her in and starting the healing process.
I hope you are able to determine how the raccoon got in so that you are able to fix it.