Pecked and semi-detached comb

[Orit]

I successfully integrated my March-hatched chicks (now 19 weeks old) into my existing flock awhile ago. Other than the usual pecking, everything has been fine for about a month. Today I noticed that one of their comb's was half blue. Then I noticed it was detached from her head and bleeding (half of the comb). I'll deal with the bully, but how should I treat her comb? I know I need to cover the blood so it doesn't invite more pecking, but how do I do that, and what should I do to treat the wound?

 

[azygous]

Assemble three things : saline wound wash (or make your own from internet recipes), Vetericyn wound spray, and antibiotic oinmtment such as Neosporin.

Wash the wound well in saline or soap and water. It's best to rinse with saline to restore proper pH to the tissues. Spray with Vetericyn as this promotes new tissue growth.

When dry, coat the wound and the comb where it's detached heavily with the wound ointment, then "glue" them back in place. For good measure put a good amount all around the edge of the comb where it needs to knit back together. Use enough where the comb will remain in place.

Spray with Vetericyn twice a day and renew the ointment until the comb has grafted back to the head, about two days. Continue the Vetericyn spray for a few more days.

I would figure out which chicken she tangled with and keep them separated for the time being.

 

[Orit]

Assemble three things : saline wound wash (or make your own from internet recipes), Vetericyn wound spray, and antibiotic oinmtment such as Neosporin.

Wash the wound well in saline or soap and water. It's best to rinse with saline to restore proper pH to the tissues. Spray with Vetericyn as this promotes new tissue growth.

When dry, coat the wound and the comb where it's detached heavily with the wound ointment, then "glue" them back in place. For good measure put a good amount all around the edge of the comb where it needs to knit back together. Use enough where the comb will remain in place.

Spray with Vetericyn twice a day and renew the ointment until the comb has grafted back to the head, about two days. Continue the Vetericyn spray for a few more days.

I would figure out which chicken she tangled with and keep them separated for the time being.

This is fantastic! Thank you for your detailed response! I have some Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Poultry Care. I'm assuming this is not the same as Vetericyn wound spray, correct? And is the wound spray the same as the wound "ointment" used to glue everything back together? Thank you again! This is really helpful!

 

[azygous]

All Vetericn products are basically alike. The wound ointment you need to "glue" the comb onto the scalp is Triple anti-biotic ointment or Neosporin.

 

[Orit]

All Vetericn products are basically alike. The wound ointment you need to "glue" the comb onto the scalp is Triple anti-biotic ointment or Neosporin.

The piece of the comb hanging off is pretty dark/almost black. Will it turn red again or is the tissue dead? Also, thoughts about Blue Kote? I've read that this will prevent others from pecking that area. She is REALLY miserable being separated right now . And she is the sweetest thing - the gentlest temperament.

 

[azygous]

Have you rinsed everything well with saline? That's important to be sure the tissue is chemically balanced to start growing new cells.

You didn't mention how long ago the hen was injured. If you have done nothing to put the comb back on the scalp for 24 hours or more, it's probably dried out by now.

But you can try. If the detached comb is still wet, it may take.

A photo would help.

 

[azygous]

Oh, Blu-kote. It's fine for scrapes and nicks and pecking wounds, but it's not beneficial to larger wounds. It does disguise small wounds while disinfecting them so the other chickens will be less likely to bother them. It wouldn't work on your hen because you will have her head so greased up, the Blu-kote wouldn't stick.

 

[raingarden]

The glue will not stick either. I'd cut the loose flap off with scissors and then treat with topical antibiotic. Fighting cocks routinely have their comb dubbed without problem.

 

[Orit]

Have you rinsed everything well with saline? That's important to be sure the tissue is chemically balanced to start growing new cells.

You didn't mention how long ago the hen was injured. If you have done nothing to put the comb back on the scalp for 24 hours or more, it's probably dried out by now.

But you can try. If the detached comb is still wet, it may take.

A photo would help.

It's been about 24 hours. I didn't have any saline so I washed it well with soapy water. I just ran out this morning to buy wound wash and Neosporin (so I haven't done that yet). I'm posting a photo of the wound wash I bought (not sure if it's saline). Here are also photos of her comb this morning. Thanks again for your guidance!

 

[azygous]

Grafting a torn bit of tissue back onto the wound only works if you do it immediately following the injury. Notice the blackening of the comb where it's detached. That means there is no blood supply there. When blood supply has been cut off, the tissue quickly dies. That blackened tissue is dead.

Now, you may either leave the flap alone and it will eventually fall off on its own, or as @raingarden pointed out, you may trim the loose flap off using sharp scissors, making sure you cut away all the blackened tissue.

It will bleed when you do this, so have some flour or sugar or corn starch handy to put on the bleeder. It will cause a bit of pain when the comb is dubbed, but chickens deal with pain well, and it will only hurt for a few minutes.

To ease the chicken's reaction to the surgery, give her some Gatoraid to drink or mix some sugar into her drinking water for the rest of the day.