Part of Comb Almost Sliced Off- HELP

GlicksChicks

Crowing
Apr 11, 2024
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Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Today my hen somehow ended up getting the back of her comb almost fully cut off. It looks like a clean slice and was alreasy clotted when I saw it.

I don't know how she cut it like this. My flock has an acre to roam. And there is nothing around thst can cut her like that. There is no blood on anything.

She does not seem to care about it, but it does not look to pretty. It flops around as she walks- will it fall off or stay on forever? The part hanging to the side in the pic is the part of her comb that is almost detached.

How do I help her get better? Should I seperate until she heals? Please help me help Cuddle Bug!
 

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I’m not really able to tell from those photos how badly it was severed- it’s not clear where it’s still attached.

If it’s flopping around, it isn’t going to fuse back in place; it will stay detached.

How thin is the part that is still attached? It really shouldn’t be an issue though unless you feel like it’s at risk of being torn off too easily.

I’d keep it clean with saline and treat it with Veterycin. It should heal fine.

Do you have any loose wire or fencing around your property? Anything like that near their coop? Chicken wire is a lot sharper than you think.
 
It should fall off on its own, just keep it clean and you can apply a triple antibiotic cream to all the scabby areas, everyday. That’s what I would do. She should be fine staying with the flock but keep an eye on her and watch for anyone pecking.
Could a rooster have done that to her? If you have one, that is.
 
I’m not really able to tell from those photos how badly it was severed- it’s not clear where it’s still attached.

If it’s flopping around, it isn’t going to fuse back in place; it will stay detached.

How thin is the part that is still attached? It really shouldn’t be an issue though unless you feel like it’s at risk of being torn off too easily.

I’d keep it clean with saline and treat it with Veterycin. It should heal fine.

Do you have any loose wire or fencing around your property? Anything like that near their coop? Chicken wire is a lot sharper than you think.
There is a roll that is standing up, but the sharp bits are pressed against something else.

Is it possible that one of my buff roos grabbed her comb and ripped that bit off.

The whole bit is turning black like it is already dying. But would it be good to cut it off if it can be ripped off easily so the chickens don't hurt her more?
 
It should fall off on its own, just keep it clean and you can apply a triple antibiotic cream to all the scabby areas, everyday. That’s what I would do. She should be fine staying with the flock but keep an eye on her and watch for anyone pecking.
Could a rooster have done that to her? If you have one, that is.
It is likely, the buff roos are still young and sometimes don't take no for an answer. Though they breed with alot of other hens, sometimes they want her but she doesn't like them too much.
 
There is a roll that is standing up, but the sharp bits are pressed against something else.
Is it sharp on the part that touches the ground?
Is it possible that one of my buff roos grabbed her comb and ripped that bit off.
Totally possible but not the most likely cause. Usually when this happens its just a freak accident with something sharp.
The whole bit is turning black like it os already dying. But would it be good to cut it off if it can be ripped off easily so the chickens don't hurt her more?
Yes I’d go ahead and take it off if it’s severed enough that it’s dead. Sounds like it’s lost it’s blood supply.
 
Is it sharp on the part that touches the ground?

Totally possible but not the most likely cause. Usually when this happens its just a freak accident with something sharp.

Yes I’d go ahead and take it off if it’s severed enough that it’s dead. Sounds like it’s lost it’s blood supply.
No, the sharp part goes along the back up and down, so it is pressed against a wall and cannot be touched.

She probably found some way to use her bird brain to get hurt.

Okay, so sharp shears, cornstarch/flour, and neosporin?
 
It is likely, the buff roos are still young and sometimes don't take no for an answer. Though they breed with alot of other hens, sometimes they want her but she doesn't like them too much.
Just keep an eye on em- it probably wasn’t another birds fault, but there’s still a chance. After all, they can be a little too eager sometimes :rolleyes:
 

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