Need Advice QUICK!!!!!

[cow whisperer]

Last year we put red plastic key ring type bands around the older hens so we would be able to tell them apart from the young ones. Last night I had no choice but to unband one seeing how I had noticed that she really wasn't walking or running like she used to; as I started to remove the band which was cutting into her leg a bunch of liquid not blood but a puss like substance started leaking from her leg. Once I got the band completely removed I thought she was better able to use her leg seeing how she got on the bottom roost. Now this morning when I unlocked them she jumped down from the roost but isn't really using that leg. I looked at her and didn't see any signs the other chickens have been picking on her.
I have a couple of questions-
1.) Did I do right by removing the band even though she was getting along with it being on her leg?
2.) Should I separate her NOW so I am able to keep a close eye on the healing progress of her leg?
3.) If and when I need to separate her what kind of medicine could I treat her leg with ( clean wound with peroxide then put Vaseline on it)?
I need all the assistance I can get. Please give advice ASAP! Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Being the band was on a "hurt" leg, yes you did the right thing removing it. What I do not understand is if the band was what hurt the leg??

If she is Not bleeding and her leg is not standing out like a "sore thumb" she will probably be ok with the rest, but keep a eye on her.

Again I do not know what caused the injury, or what the injury looks like or what to give her---I would not know either.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of the leg? Sounds like the leg grew around the leg band.
Did you clean or flush the leg last night with saline, betadine, soapy water or put anything on it?

If there was a "pus like substance" leaking from the leg, it sound like she may have an infection. Did it have an odor to it?

If no one is picking on her, then I would leave her with the flock, but the leg would need tending to. Depending on what it looks like it probably needs a soaking in epsom salts, dilute betadine or Chlorhexidine to help cleanse and reduce inflammation. Apply triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn to the leg after you dry it.

IF she is being picked on and is not lethargic, setting up a dog kennel/crate inside the run would be best, this keeps her near the flock and is less stressful.

Let us know how she is doing.

 

[cow whisperer]

I was just able to get a hold of her, but wasn't able to get any pictures of the wound.
No, I didn't clean it last night. I had gotten a hold of other family members and they told me to leave it alone once the band was off even though there was puss from the wound.
Yes, the band is what caused the wound even though from what I was informed the plastic bands was not supposed to cut into legs (unlike the metal ones) that's why they were gotten.
When I was able to get a hold of her a few minutes ago her leg and foot from the wound down is hot to the touch.
I wish I knew more about chickens so I wouldn't feel like I was always doing something wrong and not asking enough questions. I apologise for being such a pain all the time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You are not a pain!
We all have a lot to learn, so don't beat yourself up.
When you can, photos will help, but in the meantime the leg sounds like it's infected.

Do you have a vet?

O.K. It does sound like the leg is infected. Is it still oozing pus?


Regardless of the type of leg band you use, they still may need to be monitored and changed out as the chicken grows. If they are like the ones, I have looked at, they come in different sizes. Once you get this girl settled, take some time and check the others to make sure no one else has a band too tight.

 

[cow whisperer]

I had removed bands from other chickens a few nights ago and thought I had gotten her so it's my fault that her leg is infected.
No, we don't have a vet for the animals- only have a vet for Midnight (inside 2 year old female cat).
I just tried to get a pic but wasn't able to seeing how I'm only one person- can't grab her and hold onto camera at same time.
From just taking a quick look at her leg while she was moving it looks like there is still puss oozing out.
I haven't seen any other of the chickens picking on her but they do stick beside her.
I think the only one that I have to remove the band from is Mr.Rooster but he's got really long spurs and yes, I do have heavy gloves but I don't know if I'm actually string enough to hold him as I'm removing the band.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is there someone who can help you with the rooster later in the day? It may be easier to cut the band off if there is enough room. Wire cutters would be needed, I don't think scissors would do it.

If she still has pus oozing out of the leg, try soaking in a warm tub of water - add some epsom salts, betadine or Chlorhexidine to the water. Without seeing it, it's hard to know, but you may want to see if you can press some of the pus out after you soak. Chicken pus is different from humans, it has to come out in order for a wound to heal. Chicken pus will be semi-hard cheese like substance.

You will want to watch the wound, to make sure flies don't get on it and lay eggs. You could cover the wound with a sterile pad and secure with vet wrap after you have applied triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn, but you need to look at it and treat the wound a couple of times a day to see how it's doing.

 

[cow whisperer]

I was just able to capture her and take a look at her leg and wound (but once again I didn't have the camera with me- I'm a blonde). From the wound down to her foot it's hot to the touch but the wound is scabbing over. Now what?

 

[cow whisperer]

Nope. Nobody here but little old helpless me. Yes, I have neighbors but they don't like me because of my past.
I'm actually going to give her a little calming down time before I capture her again.
The puss that came out from around the band last night while I was removing it and then got it completely removed was pure liquid but it had the coloring of what puss looks like from humans.
I have antibacterial hand soap along with dish soap. I did see some udder cleaner (left over from when my Grandmother owned this property and had milkers) so doubt that it's any good. Would the hand soap work to clean the wound?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would try the antibacterial hand soap. Make a soapy water solution and rinse the leg.
Check it over well, then if you have it put on something like Neosporin.

It's none of my business, but sometimes caring for an animal can help build relationships. Most people can connect over that. So you may want to consider asking a neighbor for assistance, even if there is history, most people won't refuse when being asked to help something that is injured