Orpington's Head Pecked Open by Mean Betty

[mattd1089]

I have a 4 month old buff orpington that has been part of a new group of four hens. We also have three older hens (1.5yr) white leghorns and a black australorp. Long story short, the orpington was attacked by the Australorp. I found her jump and flapping around and pecking at her head. She was cornered in the coop and was laying there defenseless. I got her out of harm's way and saw that she had pecked away most of the skin on the top rear of her head. I took her inside and washed it out best I could and sprayed some of the Vetericyn spray on the wound and dabbed some neosporin (white glob in picture) on top. She is hesitant to drink water, but will from a syringe and ate some yogurt from my fingers. Pooped twice today, normal looking. Appears to be alert and oriented. Hasn't started laying yet.
This happened the morning of 07/09. She has been isolated the last two days, but the wound appears to be sort of nasty looking. Help??

IMG_7135

• mattd1089
• Jul 10, 2017

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It will take a while to heal, your photo doesn't show, so I can't see how bad it is. Generally it takes about a week or so before they start feeling better.

I'm just gonna take a guess and wonder if you don't have enough space for all your chickens. Otherwise giving places for birds to get away from each other can help prevent such attacks, things to go under, around or in can help.

I would keep her penned where the flock can still see her or else you might have problems getting her back into the flock.

 

[mattd1089]

Can you see the picture now? I am afraid to put her outside for fear of flies getting on the wound.

 

[mattd1089]

IMG_7135

• mattd1089
• Jul 10, 2017

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Now I see it. That's pretty bad. I would keep her inside until it starts to scab up and improve. You may than need to put her in a separate pen inside the coop for a while to integrate her back into the flock when she's doing better, poor girl.