Ripped Skin

[Loona]

We discovered today that one of our hens has a wound of ripped skin under her wing. It's is exposed all of the 'breast meat". The flap of skin is just hanging there. The area is about 3" wide x about 2" high. We aren't sure how this happened. Maybe the rooster.

We took her to the vet, but she described an ordeal which would cost $200 each visit that would 'irritate' the existing edges to compel them to grow skin. She said the ripped skin has shrunk so the accident must've taken place yesterday. She chose to not suture it but let it die off, and perhaps next week cut it off.

I declined her treatment offer because I just can't afford a minimum 600 vet bill. I left with Clavamox, a pain med, and chlorohexadone? to clean it with. Since I declined she said to just keep it clean and hope for the best. She told me not to use a betadine/water solution because it can cause necrosis, and the h202 is too strong and irritating and won't allow the healing to progress. That I could use a Neosporin creme but not ointment.

Sweet Pea is feeling/looking rather normal despite this big loss of skin. She is pecking and scratching around the yard. She ate a nice corner chunk of watermelon after I gave the Clavamox. So her appetite and good attitude is all there, but I know this can change.

Does anyone here have experience with a situation like this? Even tho I went to the vet I'm feeling quite lost since I didn't go forth w/her recommendations.
If anyone has any advice for an area of large skin loss, I'd appreciate it. There are no puncture wounds. Thank you.

 

[Kiki]

Chickens are good about healing themselves.
I would say the most important thing is to keep her safe and secure so she doesn't injure it worse.
The meds should help her to not get an infection, which would probably be more likely to kill her.
Keep it clean and she should be just fine.

You may want to rethink keeping a rooster.

 

[Loona]

Chickens are good about healing themselves.
I would say the most important thing is to keep her safe and secure so she doesn't injure it worse.
The meds should help her to not get an infection, which would probably be more likely to kill her.
Keep it clean and she should be just fine.

You may want to rethink about keeping a rooster.

Thank you very much for the encouraging words. She is in relatively good spirits, hearty appetite, but obvious pain. I see the trembling in the one leg w/the wound above. We have her in a crate to sleep the night in and tomorrow will baby sit as much as possible. The vet did nothing physically to her just gave me some precautionary cleanser and Rx for a/b and pain.
Yes, we took pics of the questionable offending rooster and will put him on Craigslist for about 35 bucks. He's a really gorgeous BCM but mean as hell.
I'm still so worried about her 'breast meat' fully exposed under the wing. She got a nice cleaning, an a/b, and a pain med, and free-range before being put up. I'm just not sure what to expect during this time of healing.
Thank you so much writing.

 

[Kiki]

I don't think you can do anything else to help her, i think you are doing all you can do.
Try not to worry too much, I'm sure it's easier said then done, but think positive and she will be back to her happy self in no time!

 

[Loona]

I don't think you can do anything else to help her, i think you are doing all you can do.
Try not to worry too much, I'm sure it's easier said then done, but think positive and she will be back to her happy self in no time!

I'm hoping and praying she will get through this. Thank you so much.

 

[Kiki]

She will...chickens are tough!

Keep us updated!

 

[Farmgal101]

She will...chickens are tough!

Keep us updated!

Chickens do heal themselves.I recommend keeping it clean give her a bath and soaking her in water and this Epsom salt. Kikisgirls do you know what its called?keep me updated so we know how she does.hope she gets better

 

[Kiki]

I think your thinking of epsom salt but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea for this open would.

 

[Farmgal101]

I think your thinking of epsom salt but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea for this open would.

That is what im talking about i herd that its great for cleaning and getting parasites out.I thought

 

[Kiki]

That is what im talking about i herd that its great for cleaning and getting parasites out.I thought

While some health care providers may recommend a warm bath with Epsom salt for conditions such as sore muscles or to relieve psoriasis, soaking opens wounds in the magnesium sulfate compound may be painful and could irritate an open wound.

It's good to soak egg bound hens in it but not so much for an open wound.