/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Pullet's comb pecked off

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by NadaZipZiltch, Jun 23, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jun 23, 2011 #1
    NadaZipZiltch

    NadaZipZiltch New Egg

    1
    0
    7
    Jun 23, 2011
    Recently, (Tuesday night) a fox broke into our 2 1/2 month old pullet coop. She killed 8, but we still have three. Asa cautionary measure, we put the pullets into another coop with 5 hens because that coop is built like a tank. Everyone was locked up with plenty of food and water and fine this morning. When I came home from work, I noticed one of the RIR pullets had had her comb completely pecked off. I fixed the pullet coop and put the three back out, but I am worried about the one pullet. She is drinking water and eating, but the top of her head is wet with blood. What types of medical measures should I make to make sure that she is comfortable, or should I put her down? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you in advance.
    Kristin

    PS I will post pictures if they are needed.
     
  3. Jun 23, 2011 #2
    Miss Lydia

    Miss Lydia Running over with Blessings Premium Member

    69,332
    5,087
    671
    Oct 3, 2009
    Western N.C.
    Quote:Chickens can recover from some pretty serious wounds. She will most likely be fine, The only thing I would be worried about is the others pecking her because they are drawn to blood. you should isolate her until you can get a product called blue-kote. apply it to the wound it will help to speed healing and also cover up the red with purple. Just be careful not to get into her eyes or mouth. I had to treat my roosters comb I took a towel and covered his eyes and face then sprayed the blue-kote. Sorry for the loss of your other chickens, and sorry it has to be under these conditions but [​IMG] p.s. let us know how she is doing.
     
  5. Jun 23, 2011 #3
    Animalian

    Animalian Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,005
    3
    131
    Jun 18, 2011
    Australia
    I'd get some warm water on a paper towel and try to clean the feathers around her head. Just to make her more comfortable and make sure her eyes are clean. Would hate to get a infection from the blood when she's already injured
     
  7. Jun 23, 2011 #4
    Snegurochka

    Snegurochka Out Of The Brooder

    99
    5
    31
    Apr 7, 2011
    Southern Indiana
    You can coat it with Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic ointment as long as it isn't the kind with pain killer in it. If you can't keep her in the house (where it's more sterile) I would put her in a wire cage in the coop, maybe hanging. I've had a hen with a hole pecked in her head and another with her neck skin completely torn loose, and they both recovered within two weeks. Unless she's acting really weak I wouldn't worry too much. For my injured hens I mixed together oatmeal, mashed chicken feed, and egg yolk to make them eat. You can also give her some Pedialyte or something similar if she's acting sickly (but I would go easy on it--I don't know if it's something that can be overdosed or not).
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by