Scalp split open on quail

[Sushi]

The darn male did some damage on my bobwhite hen. Her scalp is split open at the back, and I can see her skull. Can they surive an injury like this and if so, what can I do for her?

 

[RedneckChikns]

That is VERY common in all breeds of quail. The best you can do is gobs of neosporyin (I dont think Im spelling that right) and a cage all to herself with no stress of mating or being scared and launching and hitting her head. I no longer keep quail but I used to raise LOTS of them and I think thats what really turned me off of them...because once bloodied the rest will keep picking at it. Chills.
I hope she heals....good luck...the BW are so dern flighty youll really have to find her an undisturbed spot to rest and recoup.

 

[Smittenroade]

Quote:
Neosporin is for the skin not inside the wound. Normal Saline is the way to go, it will kill the bad germs that cause infection. Just dab some on a couple times a day to clean the wound, you can pick it up at your local drug store.Your main worry is it getting infected, the rest will heal on its own.

 

[Sushi]

Yes you're right about the neosporin being for topical use only. Once it's closed up, I can put it on the surface of the skin. I have another post about this in the quail forum. My biggest problem is that she won't let me get near her. I think I am going to leave her alone for tonight. She's not bleeding still or anything. I've isolated her and made her as comfortable as I can for tonight. She has fresh water and some veggies. Tomorrow, I think I will dampen it with some saline and try to approximate the edges and dab some crazy glue on there. I dont think I can hold her still well enough to suture it. I think I have some lidocaine somewhere and I know I have poultry antibiotics on hand. Hopefully if I'm able to numb it for her she'll tolerate me handling her long enough to get it cleaned & closed up. I'll medicate her water tomorrow to make sure it doesnt get infected. I'm just not used to seeing that much of an animals skull. I think a human would exsanguinate from that size of gash. Well maybe not, but sure looks painful.

 

[PatS]

It happened to a chicken of mine and she survived and is thriving. Of course, her name is now "Baldy..."

 

[aprophet]

the blue cote is in spray bottles here it is easier to get on the wound for me in a spray bottle it don't hurt to wear gloves when using it LOL

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know about quail but lidacaine is a nono for chickens. My little frizzle got scalped by a Brahma roo last year and it was so gross, but I just kept applying bluekote and it eventually healed up, but she has just now gotten all her feathers back.

 

[QuailCuddlers]

I know this is quite an old post, but I was wondering how the hen did.