*Had this thread moved here from "New Member Introductions"
Hello...
I live here in Hawaii and just rescued an injured chicken about a week ago. My house is situated next to a rain ditch that the feral chickens like to wander through. I generally throw my leftovers in the ditch for the birds and chickens, so the area by my house is frequented by them.
Then I noticed her. She didn't even look like a chicken to me at first glance...she looked like a vulture. However, I know we don't have vultures living here in Hawaii and I noticed her tail which gave her species away. She was a hen with a head injury that left her blind. I didn't recognize her as one of my regulars at first, I think because her ruffled feathers made her appear bigger. However, now I'm convinced she is the little red hen that got to know me prior to this happening to her. I don't see that hen anymore and the coloring is very similar. I believe that is why she stayed near my house after her traumatic experience. How she did that blind I have no idea.
I named her Lady....
Left side...
Right side...
Top view...
That's my Lady....
At first glance it looks like someone set her head on fire. Her skin looks like one big scab of charred flesh that covers both of her eyes. I did though, read this thread from the forums here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...blem-burn-head-looks-like-a-big-scab-resolved
Seems very similar to Lady's injury. So it could be that she was used as practice for a fighting cock. Either situation is plausible where I live. There are older kids in the area that mess with the chickens that could have burned her, and there are people around the area that participate in cock fighting and could have used her for practice. Either scenario is heartbreaking and barbaric.
After syringe feeding her and giving her a 50/50 gatorade & water solution to drink, she perked up and took a turn for the better. Her scab is lifted around most of the edges and is slowly coming off. Underneath is new healed skin and new feather growth is showing. I took Pop's advice from that thread above and covered the scab with petroleum jelly. I'm hoping that will help soften the scab and let it separate easier from her healed skin. I'm REALLY hoping that once that scab comes off she will regain her sight....but if she doesn't she will just be my blind girl. She'll have the best care regardless....she deserves it, poor thing. I've cried over what's happened to her. I'm just thankful she is doing pretty well despite what she's been through.
As of today, I feed her a mixture of crumble and water four times a day, with treats like scrambled egg here and there. She happily gobbles it all down from a bowl I hold out for her, and is getting the hang of eating without seeing. We have a fenced area in the corner of the yard for her where she can preen, sun bathe, and do her business, given the weather is agreeable. If she isn't out there she is in her spacious yet cozy dog carrier, which is also where she sleeps at night. She is very docile...doesn't mind at all when I pet or pick her up.
Here are a few questions I have...
1. Her pen is about 25 sq feet of grassy area. I have been hosing it down about every other day. I read that over used poop space can breed disease so I wanted to know, for one chicken, is the space and my hosing enough to keep it relatively disease free?
2. Since I have been giving her the mixture of crumble and water, she hasn't taken much interest in her water bowl that I offer her. I'm assuming this is because she is getting her water intake from her meal. I just want to be sure...definitely don't want her getting dehydrated again.
3. Anyone have any idea what breed she could be? Just curious...
*If you think I should re-post this in the injury forum category I will. I'm new with an injured bird, so I wasn't sure where to post this
Hello...
I live here in Hawaii and just rescued an injured chicken about a week ago. My house is situated next to a rain ditch that the feral chickens like to wander through. I generally throw my leftovers in the ditch for the birds and chickens, so the area by my house is frequented by them.
Then I noticed her. She didn't even look like a chicken to me at first glance...she looked like a vulture. However, I know we don't have vultures living here in Hawaii and I noticed her tail which gave her species away. She was a hen with a head injury that left her blind. I didn't recognize her as one of my regulars at first, I think because her ruffled feathers made her appear bigger. However, now I'm convinced she is the little red hen that got to know me prior to this happening to her. I don't see that hen anymore and the coloring is very similar. I believe that is why she stayed near my house after her traumatic experience. How she did that blind I have no idea.
I named her Lady....
Left side...
Right side...
Top view...
That's my Lady....
At first glance it looks like someone set her head on fire. Her skin looks like one big scab of charred flesh that covers both of her eyes. I did though, read this thread from the forums here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...blem-burn-head-looks-like-a-big-scab-resolved
Seems very similar to Lady's injury. So it could be that she was used as practice for a fighting cock. Either situation is plausible where I live. There are older kids in the area that mess with the chickens that could have burned her, and there are people around the area that participate in cock fighting and could have used her for practice. Either scenario is heartbreaking and barbaric.
After syringe feeding her and giving her a 50/50 gatorade & water solution to drink, she perked up and took a turn for the better. Her scab is lifted around most of the edges and is slowly coming off. Underneath is new healed skin and new feather growth is showing. I took Pop's advice from that thread above and covered the scab with petroleum jelly. I'm hoping that will help soften the scab and let it separate easier from her healed skin. I'm REALLY hoping that once that scab comes off she will regain her sight....but if she doesn't she will just be my blind girl. She'll have the best care regardless....she deserves it, poor thing. I've cried over what's happened to her. I'm just thankful she is doing pretty well despite what she's been through.
As of today, I feed her a mixture of crumble and water four times a day, with treats like scrambled egg here and there. She happily gobbles it all down from a bowl I hold out for her, and is getting the hang of eating without seeing. We have a fenced area in the corner of the yard for her where she can preen, sun bathe, and do her business, given the weather is agreeable. If she isn't out there she is in her spacious yet cozy dog carrier, which is also where she sleeps at night. She is very docile...doesn't mind at all when I pet or pick her up.
Here are a few questions I have...
1. Her pen is about 25 sq feet of grassy area. I have been hosing it down about every other day. I read that over used poop space can breed disease so I wanted to know, for one chicken, is the space and my hosing enough to keep it relatively disease free?
2. Since I have been giving her the mixture of crumble and water, she hasn't taken much interest in her water bowl that I offer her. I'm assuming this is because she is getting her water intake from her meal. I just want to be sure...definitely don't want her getting dehydrated again.
3. Anyone have any idea what breed she could be? Just curious...
*If you think I should re-post this in the injury forum category I will. I'm new with an injured bird, so I wasn't sure where to post this
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xx
from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. What a wonderful heart you have. I hope she continues to do well. You and her both deserve it. 
