Rooster attacked, severe neck injury (graphic image)

[coach723]

The picture shown looks like the ear is what is damaged. I personally would not bandage it, I would keep it covered in ointment, but open to the air. Bandaging in many cases can actually seal bacteria in and increase chances of infection. Apply the ointment as necessary to keep it covered in that and moist. Sometimes letting it hurt keeps them from moving things too much while they heal, so that's the trade off in treating the pain. If he is not actively bleeding then aspirin would be OK, vet's usually prescribe meloxicam for pain. Will he drink if you dip his beak? I'm sure he's very sore, and probably will be for a while. You do need to keep him hydrated, so it is important to get fluids in him, and that may be a challenge. Tubing fluids might be better, you can get more in at one time and not have to do it as often, until he starts drinking on his own. You need to hydrate him before trying to tube food, if that's necessary, and fluids should be warm. Here are a couple of links to help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...res-under-construction.1064392/#post-16201671
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/go-team-tube-feeding-updated-12-29-2019.805728/
While he's resting he may be more comfortable with some rolled up bath towels around him to help prop him up, maybe one under his neck for support. Experiment to see what works. If that stresses him out, then don't. Do everything slow and gentle, and talk to him soft and soothing while you do anything. If he flaps and struggles then you can wrap him like a burrito with a towel to help hold his wings, a helper is always a plus. Even really awful injuries are often survivable as long as infection doesn't set in and supportive care is adequate. How much time and effort is always up the the human doing it. Best of luck with him.

 

[MaxLevine]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have gotten mostly the same advice from everyone, other than whether or not to bandage the wound. Right now, it seems like the bandage is doing good for him, so my current plan is to change it and clean the wound twice a day.

I just took off his bandage and clipped up some feathers, then sprayed with vetericyn plus to try to clean it up. Then I covered a gauze pad with wound dressing and lightly pressed it on his wound, followed with a wrapping of self- sticking bandage wrap.

He managed to drink when I put his beak in the water. Thanks for that idea. It may have saved his life.

Here's a picture from after I sprayed the wound with vetericyn. Let me know if you see anything that can provide me with more tools to help out my tough bird.

 

[ackie]

Aw poor baby.

If you keep up with changing the bandage and keeping it clean, it is probably alright. If you find that changing it is stressing him out a lot, maybe discontinue it. I dont think you mentioned his current living arrangement, but he should be kept somewhere protected from the elements, with supplemental heat if it seems like he cant maintain a proper body temperature, and no mess bedding - e.g. a puppy pad or towel - so that debris can't get into the wound when it is unbandaged.

I would leave food and water in with him even if you think he cant see, just because I'd rather it sit there unused than him want it and not have it. Unless hes dumping it over and sitting in it or something like that. Also try different configurations of food and water - elevated, held up to him at a slant, wide bowl, deep bowl - and see if maybe one of those alleviates enough pain that he will eat and drink. If he starts drinking but not eating, the nutrient or electrolyte water is great.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

 

[ackie]

he should learn to compensate for his questionable eyesight. I'd just apply a warm towel to soften up and gently remove any crusties to give him the best chance of seeing.

 

[MaxLevine]

At what point do I need to start force feeding him? Is there any harm in him eating now, if he feels comfortable doing so? He hasn't had a bite since the fight. He is sometimes rubbing his beak in the straw, I can't tell if he's trying to get off the bandage or if he's trying to scratch for food.

His current living arrangement is in a dog crate in my basement with straw. I like the idea of using an old towel for his bedding, I'll likely switch it out tonight or tomorrow. For now, his wounds are covered and he seems to be on the mend.

Seems like his biggest risks now are -dehydration/blood loss, needing food, and infection.

The only smell I've noticed is a kind of wet dog smell. I assume it's from the oil in his feathers staying wet.

Thank you all for your support in this.

 

[coach723]

I think you are doing well, keep it up. Offer water regularly, every half hour or so, if possible.
Fingers crossed he recovers. Fluid is more important than food initially, but if he wants to eat I would let him. Mix some of his feed with water to make a mash, and put it up by his beak, same as the water, see if he wants it. Most birds like their feed that way, and it will help some with hydration too. Is his other eye affected also, or just the one on this side?

 

[ackie]

I assume theres next to no harm in allowing him to eat if he wants to.

 

[MaxLevine]

His other eye is also shut. He's definitely not seeing much. I saw him instinctually open his more wounded eye just a moment ago, and I felt as though he could see out of it but it's very hard to tell. Both eyes were more open yesterday, though I've only seen his right eye twice since the incident. He's kinda weak now, so I can't take a great picture, but I took a picture. Also, here's a picture of his posture and how he is spending most of his time. I'd say on average he's picking his head up MORE than last night, but it still spends most of it's time down. Especially after watering.

 

[coach723]

Give him some time, he's very, very sore. Improvement may be very gradual. Just try to keep him warm, his fluids up, and let him rest.