ripped hen comb

[Oopoo]

I found my chicken with a ripped comb. The head skin has healed fine, but the detatched part of the comb is turning black. Should I cut it and apply antibiotic cream? I can't find any vets that do chickens in my area. aargh

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

If it is turning black, that means that the tissue is dead or dying. You can remove the dead tissue using a sharp pair of sanitized scissors or kitchen shears. There should be little bleeding. If it does bleed too much for you, pluck a vent feather and put it on the comb to help it clot.

 

[Opa]

Stepic powder or powder alum work extremely well to stop bleeding. Also spider webs are very effective. They are rich in vitamin K which not only stops bleeding but aids in healing.

If you are apprehensive about cutting off the black area it will slough off. Just keep an antibiotic ointment on it.

 

[Oopoo]

Thank you mucho. I had read to cut it off, but....

 

[threehorses]

How did this turn out by the way?