Pecking Order Injury

[MisFitsFarms]

We put our lil hens out with the Big Girls.. and they have been out there for 4 days and NO PROBLEMS...

untill last nite...

This pop lil' hen had the flesh pecked right off the back of her head...
I have brought her in the house and sprayed it with blue spray... she has food and water and she seems to be in good spirits..

Is there anything else I can do.. you can see the pic and what your looking at is her neck/head muscle.. the actual skin is missing


Thank YOu

 

[loveourbirds]

it should heal, just keep it clean. anytime I have an injured bird I assume it is stressed too, so I add some apple cider vinegar to their water at 1 tablespoon per gallon. if you have a packet of vitamins and electrolytes laying around add some of that too.

I know it looks bad, but ive seen them heal from a lot worse.

good luck,
brian

 

[MisFitsFarms]

THank you...

What does the ACV do...

 

[loveourbirds]

acv is good for most respiratory problems in chickens, it also helps match medicine/vitamin solutions to the chicken's ph for better absorbtion.

I use 1/3 to 1/2 cup in 5 gallons of water one day each week for natural prevention of respiratory problems and just overall health. look for natural unpasteurized vinegar with "mother". pasturized will work too, just not as well.

another thing worth mentioning, do not use a triple antibiotic ointment on chickens, but single antibiotic Neosporin is fine. I do use ointments but I don't cover with gauze or anything. in a few days it will scab over at that point you can just let her be. make sure she has clean bedding, and clean feed and water. a month from now you will have to look hard to tell she was even injured.

some people would tell you to use antibiotics in her water, but I will leave this up to you. I personally only use antibiotics when I feel it is absolutely needed.

best of luck,
brian

I edited this post to add this link: http://www.grit.com/fresh-eggs-daily/the-holistic-trinity-apple-cider-vinegar-garlic-de.aspx I think you will find its information useful if you haven't already read it.