Hello all,
I just got home to discover that one of my australorps (~11 months) is missing nearly all of her tail feathers and has at least three wounds on her back end. I'm guessing she was attacked by some bird of prey given the spacing of the injuries. Two of the wounds involve just the skin, but the other is so deep that I can see the underlying muscle. She is not bleeding and was walking around the coop just fine until I caught her. My big concern is infection. I will not take her to the vet, so I need your advise.
Superficial wound
The superficial wounds are 1-1.5 inches long. I was planning to wash the skin wounds with water and chlorhexidine soap, then spray with iodine and put some triple antibiotic ointment over the wound. I'm debating about dressing it as she will be separated although the dressing would help limit maggots, etc. Yuck.
Deep wound
This wound is ~1 inch long but I can see her thigh muscle. There are a few feathers around this sight, so I'm also curious how to keep them out of the wound while it (hopefully) heals. I am planning to wash this also with water and chlorhexidine soap. Maybe flush with hydrogen peroxide? Then spray with iodine and cover with triple antibiotic ointment?
I have newly acquired Penicillin - should I give her that? Obviously I will separate her, put vitamins in her water, and give her chick feed. Any other thoughts? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
*If the overwhelming advise is to cull because of the deep wound, please advise thoughts on safe consumption related to attack.
Unrelated Rant
To put this in perspective: I have two hens with bumblefoot, I who had surgery yesterday and is doing well. The other is scheduled to continue her soaks this evening. I put down a chick yesterday for twisted leg (I think). Last night my rooster had yellow thin mucous all over his face, which resolved this morning (weird!). My dog hurt her leg. The mostly indoor cat went out and won't come in. And...my husband is traveling. When it rains...
I just got home to discover that one of my australorps (~11 months) is missing nearly all of her tail feathers and has at least three wounds on her back end. I'm guessing she was attacked by some bird of prey given the spacing of the injuries. Two of the wounds involve just the skin, but the other is so deep that I can see the underlying muscle. She is not bleeding and was walking around the coop just fine until I caught her. My big concern is infection. I will not take her to the vet, so I need your advise.
Superficial wound
The superficial wounds are 1-1.5 inches long. I was planning to wash the skin wounds with water and chlorhexidine soap, then spray with iodine and put some triple antibiotic ointment over the wound. I'm debating about dressing it as she will be separated although the dressing would help limit maggots, etc. Yuck.
Deep wound
This wound is ~1 inch long but I can see her thigh muscle. There are a few feathers around this sight, so I'm also curious how to keep them out of the wound while it (hopefully) heals. I am planning to wash this also with water and chlorhexidine soap. Maybe flush with hydrogen peroxide? Then spray with iodine and cover with triple antibiotic ointment?
I have newly acquired Penicillin - should I give her that? Obviously I will separate her, put vitamins in her water, and give her chick feed. Any other thoughts? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
*If the overwhelming advise is to cull because of the deep wound, please advise thoughts on safe consumption related to attack.
Unrelated Rant
To put this in perspective: I have two hens with bumblefoot, I who had surgery yesterday and is doing well. The other is scheduled to continue her soaks this evening. I put down a chick yesterday for twisted leg (I think). Last night my rooster had yellow thin mucous all over his face, which resolved this morning (weird!). My dog hurt her leg. The mostly indoor cat went out and won't come in. And...my husband is traveling. When it rains...