Pus draining out of hen's beak?

[bleggett77]

My dogs got into my coop and killed several birds and injured a few others. One of my hens had a scratch to the head that left both her eyes swollen shut and her beak is now crooked. Other than that, she is moving around and responsive. I noticed today that she has gained some movement in her beak again and is flicking her tongue out, but a clear thick drool is coming out occasionally. What is it? Is it just drool from her not being able to close her mouth from the swelling or could it be pus? I don't want her to suffer...

 

[tellynpeep]

Can you post a pic? If the beak is so damaged that she won't be able to eat on her own, I'd consider euthanizing her. If she can eat, I'd get some antibiotics. You didn't mention how long ago the injury occurred.

 

[bleggett77]

I can post a picture tomorrow. Her beak is looking better and she is able to open and close it better. There is no damage to her beak that I can tell. I'm thinking it is just the swelling from her head that is causing her to hold her beak ajar. She is drinking water and moving around. It happened about 4 days ago. I hate to put her down if she can pull through. She doesn't seem to be so bad that I need to put her down. The swelling is subsiding and I can't find any other injuries on her other than the scratch on her head. Just wondering if the slime is drool or an indication of infection. Doesn't pus look more of a yellowish?