My pullet got bullied and beat up

[tralfaz]

Yesterday I heard some commotion in the run and witnessed a few of my hens pecking a deep gash on one of my 4 month old pullets. I have two 7 monthers and four 4 monthers. I separated the singled out bird as it seems they all wanted the taste of blood. Last night she stayed in a big box outside and this morning the gash is still very deep and raw. Should I wait till it is full healed to reintroduce her to the flock? If so, how long will this take?

 

[coach723]

Blood will draw pecking and cannibalism, so keep her separated until it's healed enough to no longer be an attraction or pecking risk. How long depends on how deep/large the wound is. Pictures are often helpful when talking about a wound. Usually once it's scabbed completely over and there is no blood, red or pink showing they will do OK, but you need to watch when you reintroduce to make sure no one pecks at it. Keeping her in a wire crate inside the run with the rest of the birds will minimize her stress and makes reintegration easier. Keep the wound clean and moist with an ointment like neosporin until it scabs. After it scabs you can use blu kote to disguise it if necessary.

 

[tralfaz]

Would liquid bandages they use for dogs help? I keep a bottle around for my pooch

 

[coach723]

I would not use that. Normally wounds will do better left open. Closing them can close in bacteria and contribute to infection. I would flush the wound well with sterile saline or veterycin spray and apply an antibiotic ointment like plain neosporin or plain triple antibiotic ointment a couple of times a day to keep it covered. If any feathers are getting in the wound you can trim them back with small scissors to help keep the wound clean. If she is in a crate you can use clean towels or puppy pads in the bottom rather than loose bedding, which will also help keep it cleaner, just change out as needed. A picture of the wound is helpful in giving specific advice, but that is the general way to treat. Most wounds when kept clean will heal up well. If you see any pus or it develops a bad odor, then an oral or injected antibiotic would be needed, that often is not necessary.

 

[tralfaz]

 

[coach723]

Poor girl! I would trim back feathers to help keep it clean and do as I posted above. As she heals you are going to need to see if her uropygial gland (preen gland) is intact, since that is the area it's in. I wonder if it was exposed and that is what instigated the pecking. The gland is at the top base of the tail and it secrets the oil they use to preen and waterproof their feathers. I will attach a few picture of a normal gland, and an article below.

https://www.pamsbackyardchickens.com/2014/11/molting-exposes-chickens-preen-gland.html

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Poor girl! I would trim back feathers to help keep it clean and do as I posted above. As she heals you are going to need to see if her uropygial gland (preen gland) is intact, since that is the area it's in. I wonder if it was exposed and that is what instigated the pecking. The gland is at the top base of the tail and it secrets the oil they use to preen and waterproof their feathers. I will attach a few picture of a normal gland, and an article below.

View attachment 2084692
View attachment 2084694
View attachment 2084696
https://www.pamsbackyardchickens.com/2014/11/molting-exposes-chickens-preen-gland.html

Just for learning/educational purposes, what is done if the preening gland had been damaged or is no longer there?

 

[tralfaz]

Poor girl! I would trim back feathers to help keep it clean and do as I posted above. As she heals you are going to need to see if her uropygial gland (preen gland) is intact, since that is the area it's in. I wonder if it was exposed and that is what instigated the pecking. The gland is at the top base of the tail and it secrets the oil they use to preen and waterproof their feathers. I will attach a few picture of a normal gland, and an article below.

View attachment 2084692
View attachment 2084694
View attachment 2084696
https://www.pamsbackyardchickens.com/2014/11/molting-exposes-chickens-preen-gland.html

Thanks for all your help. I noticed my older laying hens as well as those at the farm had a bare patch in that area but were not bloodied like the one which is injured. Is that normal and is there something I can do to stop make them stop?

 

[coach723]

If the hens are with a rooster it may be damage from him mounting him, that is common, particularly if there are not enough hens per rooster. But favorite or more docile hens will get mounted more. You can use hen saddles to protect that area if that's what it is. If there are no roosters involved then there may be a bully, or the hens may be overcrowded or bored, which can cause that kind of behavior. Not knowing all the details makes it hard to say for sure.
I'm hopeful that the preen gland is intact, time will tell. Without a preen gland the feather quality will be impacted and the feathers would not shed water so she would be more at risk of cold or a chill from wet weather.
You can purchase hen saddles here:
http://www.hensaver.com/
Or you can make your own, a pattern here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/free-chicken-apron-saddle-pattern.424354/#post-5201261

 

[tralfaz]

Quick update, separated the injured bird and she appears to be healing fast. It will be probably two weeks before it scabs and maybe in four weeks can reintroduce back the main coop. She gets free ranged in the veggie garden so has plenty of exercise and food. I also been socializing her with the rest of the flock for an hour so they are still together like protected visitation...