Please help! Something attacked my hen!

[BigBlueHen53]

This wound will likely heal from the margins (outer edges) inward. You may not notice it at first, but the wound will gradually get smaller and smaller as healthy flesh grows inward from the edges. One day you will suddenly realize how small it has become, and after that it will continue to close up rapidly.

 

[ANiceKaren]

This wound will likely heal from the margins (outer edges) inward. You may not notice it at first, but the wound will gradually get smaller and smaller as healthy flesh grows inward from the edges. One day you will suddenly realize how small it has become, and after that it will continue to close up rapidly.

Thank you! I was just thinking about this.. how it will heal… seems so big and scary. She free ranged today while I kept Mildred away from her. She is acting normal outside of being timid. I continue to clean 2x a day and I’ll do amoxic for 3 more days. It’s been a pain keeping my flock separate but I can’t chance Mildred mounting her while healing. Bought some saddles for when she is healed. Trying to get some advice on Mildred from this amazing community now! Thank you

 

[ANiceKaren]

This wound will likely heal from the margins (outer edges) inward. You may not notice it at first, but the wound will gradually get smaller and smaller as healthy flesh grows inward from the edges. One day you will suddenly realize how small it has become, and after that it will continue to close up rapidly.

Here are a few pics from this morning? How does it look? No smell and she is acting normal except timid for sure around flock. She was hiding in coop this morning but very happy to eat some blueberries! I’m continuing with 2x a day cleaning and amoxi for 3 more days. I have a way to keep her away from Mildred as well to avoid this being reopened. How long do you think it will be before they can be back together? I ordered saddles but clearly can’t put one on Lilac yet with this wound. I’ll trim Mildred’s nails as well but I assume this wound will be sensitive to reinjuring for a very long time?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Looks good. Give that wound a few more days and she should be as good as new. If you keep Mildred away from her, you don't need to worry about re-injury.

@Wyorp Rock, I believe, advised keeping the abuser separated from the flock for several days. This will allow your victim to develop confidence and the flock to establish a pecking order without the abuser. Then re-introduce the abuser. She should have had an attitude adjustment and not go back to her evil ways. If she bullies again, remove her for several days and repeat. I would think 3 to 5 days each time. Ideally, I think she should be in a situation where she can see the flock but not actually interact with them physically. Wr call this a "see-no-touch" setup. Of course be sure she has feed, water, oyster shell and grit. Good luck! You can do this. And of course if all your efforts fail she will make lovely dumplings.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Looks good. Give that wound a few more days and she should be as good as new. If you keep Mildred away from her, you don't need to worry about re-injury.

@Wyorp Rock, I believe, advised keeping the abuser separated from the flock for several days. This will allow your victim to develop confidence and the flock to establish a pecking order without the abuser. Then re-introduce the abuser. She should have had an attitude adjustment and not go back to her evil ways. If she bullies again, remove her for several days and repeat. I would think 3 to 5 days each time. Ideally, I think she should be in a situation where she can see the flock but not actually interact with them physically. Wr call this a "see-no-touch" setup. Of course be sure she has feed, water, oyster shell and grit. Good luck! You can do this. And of course if all your efforts fail she will make lovely dumplings.

thank you so much for all the help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks good. Give that wound a few more days and she should be as good as new. If you keep Mildred away from her, you don't need to worry about re-injury.

@Wyorp Rock, I believe, advised keeping the abuser separated from the flock for several days. This will allow your victim to develop confidence and the flock to establish a pecking order without the abuser. Then re-introduce the abuser. She should have had an attitude adjustment and not go back to her evil ways. If she bullies again, remove her for several days and repeat. I would think 3 to 5 days each time. Ideally, I think she should be in a situation where she can see the flock but not actually interact with them physically. Wr call this a "see-no-touch" setup. Of course be sure she has feed, water, oyster shell and grit. Good luck! You can do this. And of course if all your efforts fail she will make lovely dumplings.

Are you positive the hen did the damage?

It probably was not me advising a time out, maybe it was @azygous
I've never had a lot of success with removing an aggressive hen, then putting her back. She always returned to her ways. Same with a wicked rooster.
I learned my lesson a couple of times the hard way. I lean toward culling the ones who just can't keep any type of peace. Probably not what people want to hear.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Are you positive the hen did the damage?

It probably was not me advising a time out, maybe it was @azygous
I've never had a lot of success with removing an aggressive hen, then putting her back. She always returned to her ways. Same with a wicked rooster.
I learned my lesson a couple of times the hard way. I lean toward culling the ones who just can't keep any type of peace. Probably not what people want to hear.

I am not 100% sure BUT Mildred has been mounting this girl often lately. The injury is very similar to other mounting injuries I’ve researched. It’s under her wing on her side. I thought maybe a hawk but everyone else is fine.. no feather loss… no other issues. It’s really all I can assume. Mildred has been mounting two of my girls daily.. I caught her in the act… see below

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am not 100% sure BUT Mildred has been mounting this girl often lately. The injury is very similar to other mounting injuries I’ve researched. It’s under her wing on her side. I thought maybe a hawk but everyone else is fine.. no feather loss… no other issues. It’s really all I can assume. Mildred has been mounting two of my girls daily.. I caught her in the act… see below

Is Mildred laying eggs?

She may just be mean. You never know. The damage could be from Mildred's nails.
Try separating her out and see what happens, but the injured hen needs to be healed and feathering in before you put her with the others, you don't want them to pick at her wounds.

I've had a few hens mount others for a while after I removed a rooster from their flock. Show of dominance, but they stopped a couple of weeks after and all settled down..

I did have 1 hen that was absolutely nutty running around and mating everyone including the rooster (Yes, she'd tackle him and give it go!). Anyway, I culled her. I did take a look inside and her reproductive system was shrunken and necrotic looking. Poor thing.

 

[azygous]

If Mildred has spurs, it's entirely likely that the injuries are from her wicked behavior. You may need to make chicken pie out of her. Yum.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Is Mildred laying eggs?

She may just be mean. You never know. The damage could be from Mildred's nails.
Try separating her out and see what happens, but the injured hen needs to be healed and feathering in before you put her with the others, you don't want them to pick at her wounds.

I've had a few hens mount others for a while after I removed a rooster from their flock. Show of dominance, but they stopped a couple of weeks after and all settled down..

I did have 1 hen that was absolutely nutty running around and mating everyone including the rooster (Yes, she'd tackle him and give it go!). Anyway, I culled her. I did take a look inside and her reproductive system was shrunken and necrotic looking. Poor thing.

This is so helpful! Thank you! I’ll give Mildred a time out.. 3 days? She is kind of crazy and I worry she will freak out! Literally injure herself trying to get out… she is a bit neurotic! She does still lay! At least 3 eggs a week! The story of your hen has me