Pigeon Bulletin Board?

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Yesterday I found my red check hen Doba with the skin torn off the back of her neck, and a little bit down her right shoulder. I snatched her up and brought her inside to a cage to observe her. It looks so ugly but I'm thinking she can heal from this. I need to protect her from harm until she does.

She was sitting on plastic eggs with her mate and I don't think she is happy to be away from that.

The jail cell is back in the loft and the prime suspect spent the day there till flight time. I may have to install a second cell as I have too many adolescent males. I suppose there's a 1% chance it was a hawk that only got a mouthful of mostly feathers, but realistically it was one of my cocks, right?

Oh no! Poor thing!

 

[CCUK]

Yesterday I found my red check hen Doba with the skin torn off the back of her neck, and a little bit down her right shoulder. I snatched her up and brought her inside to a cage to observe her. It looks so ugly but I'm thinking she can heal from this. I need to protect her from harm until she does.

She was sitting on plastic eggs with her mate and I don't think she is happy to be away from that.

The jail cell is back in the loft and the prime suspect spent the day there till flight time. I may have to install a second cell as I have too many adolescent males. I suppose there's a 1% chance it was a hawk that only got a mouthful of mostly feathers, but realistically it was one of my cocks, right?

That sounds nasty. Have you got her mate and nest bowl with her? It seems a bit of an extreme injury for a pigeon to inflict but I know they can be pretty nasty to each other when it comes to territory. I hope she will be OK.

 

[CCUK]

You know I used manuka honey on squeaks head and it did seem to work. Do you think that would be good for doba? Or will it need to have something a little more potent? Is the prime suspect who I think?

 

[cavemanrich]

Doubt very much it was a hawk attack, but not sure. A hawk would first inflict injury with talons and the beak would show no mercy at that stage.

 

[biophiliac]

You know I used manuka honey on squeaks head and it did seem to work. Do you think that would be good for doba? Or will it need to have something a little more potent? Is the prime suspect who I think?

I'm considering honey ... I dont think its infected, might leave it if I see a good scab forming when I look later. I'm just its not worse than I think.

Dont have her mate with her now. I'd like to hear from @sourland and @Hokum Coco if I should keep her alone or...?

Doubt very much it was a hawk attack, but not sure. A hawk would first inflict injury with talons and the beak would show no mercy at that stage.

That is my view as well. Have you ever had this happen?

 

[biophiliac]

t? Is the prime suspect who I think?

Yes the #1 is Doo. He is constantly trying to get a chunk out of me, or my shoe, or my pant leg, .... won't let go!

 

[cavemanrich]

I never seen any scalping on my pigeons or chickens. I usually have small flocks also. That may have been a factor.

 

[CCUK]

I'm considering honey ... I dont think its infected, might leave it if I see a good scab forming when I look later. I'm just its not worse than I think.

Dont have her mate with her now. I'd like to hear from @sourland and @Hokum Coco if I should keep her alone or...?

That is my view as well. Have you ever had this happen?

With squeak there was alot of blood. I used sterile water and a cotton swab to clean it. I used purple spray (blue kote) at first. It did seem to heal fairly quick but the feathers were stuck together with blood which made cleaning it quite difficult. That is when the pus started coming out of the hole in the middle of it. The honey did seem to clear that up in a couple of days. It may be worth trimming a few of the feathers around it if you can. Squeaks head totally healed like you predicted! He just has a few feathers at odd angles but hopefully they will come out in the moult. I'm not sure what to suggest with doo. If he is separated then hopefully he may start to see the error of his ways. It's not good though especially as you spent so much care and attention feeding him and nurturing him.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Yes the #1 is Doo. He is constantly trying to get a chunk out of me, or my shoe, or my pant leg, .... won't let go!

Could it be his age? A hormone thing, similar to cockerels? Or do you thinks its just "bad manners"?

 

[Hokum Coco]

I'd like to hear from @sourland and @Hokum Coco

I think you are developing good instincts on caring for your flock. Yes we both may have guided you along at the beginning. That being said you made some good decisions on your own I have taken note. We all been in your situation and you give it your best shot and see what happens when you approach a problem with a bit of forethought. I think you are on the right track.