Ripped out bloody feathers

[brownfarms]

We noticed that one of our polish's tail feathers have been ripped out and are bleeding. I'm guessing a predator reached in and ripped them out as it doesn't look like another hen could do that. The feathers are still partially in so you can see the shafts and see the blood pooled in them. Can someone help me on how I should treat this? The skin looks fine and in tact. Do I need to worry about infection? Should I get antibiotics? Do I need to separate so other hens won't peck at it. Any assistance will be great.

 

[Dar]

i would seperate so that the others dont pick at her...rinse/clean the area well and apply a topical antiboitic once you can get to the farm supply store i would get some blu-cote ( think thats the spelling)

 

[DJF]

I ran across a few discussions about "blood feathers" awhile back. I wonder if the feathers you are looking at are blood feathers.

Here is one conversation that seems similar to your situation: What to do w/bleeding turkey feathers??

I googled "blood feathers chickens" and got this: http://ezinearticles.com/?Chicken-First-Aid---Bleeding---Blood-Feathers&id=1248831


I'm sorry I can't offer better advise but maybe the links will help.

Good luck with your little Polish.


Spelling Correction

 

[DJF]

Tried to find more on blood feathers.

Here is another discussion: Clipped wings bleeding??

That discussion had a couple of links one of which ultimately lead me to this page: Blood Feathers

 

[Dorothy1324]

i would defenetly get some vasiline or neosporin on the wound so that flys do not lay eggs in there i had a roo with fly strike and it was the most disgusting thing i have ever seen maggots crawling out of his skin but luckly i pulled him through

 

[brownfarms]

Thank you for the articles and thank you for mentioning the maggots. The blood has dried now, do I still need to worry about the maggots?

 

[redhen]

if he has a open wound..you always have to worry about flies...best wishes with him..

..Wendy

 

[chickenlady]

I sounds as if your saying the feathers were pulled out, no damage to the skin and you can see the base of the feather still in there? Sounds like you dont have too big of a problem at all. Chickens lose feathers all the time. Think of the base of the feather as a straw. If you take the feather out and leave the 'straw' in there, blood will come out until it dries over and in some cases, the blood will not dry and your bird can bleed out and die, however, that is not your case.

Your bird will not grow these feathers back until it molts. Unless you pull out the little base peice left in the skin. Use pliers, grab near the skin and give a quick pull. It should not bleed at all but in the case it does, use quik-stop powder or some flour. I pull broken feathers all the time on my birds. They will grow back fairly quickly.

Others may pick at it, although I have not had problems with that, just keep a good eye on them for a little bit. I see no reason to treat with any antibiotics as it is only the feather being pulled out.

Everything I just wrote is if there is NO WOUND!! which it sounds as if there isnt. If you would like, you could post a pic. Best of luck to you.

 

[Dorothy1324]

i would be super carefull about the flys if ther is any wound and just keep it coverd either with bag balm or vasiline or something