Scalped 2 month old chick! *With graphic pic*

[olp_63]

If it would be misery for the chick to live, I would cull it. Especially if the eye(s) are damaged.

BUT, if it doesn't appear to be in any pain and has use of it's eyes, why not give it a chance?

 

[Wolf-Kim]

If it were mine, we would kill it. We would behead it with an axe or hatchett, or knife or snips if the latter wasn't available.

When I was younger and didn't realize how vicious chickens were, I had this happen to two of mine. The didn't make it, even though I tried. After they died from their wounds, I felt bad I didn't just put them out of their misery in the first place.

However, people have successfully saved scalped birds. It takes quite a bit of work and time, but it's not a sure success.

You can ensure relief from pain through death, but not always through healing. It's up to you what you want to do.

By the way, I am pretty sure another chicken did this to him. That looks like a classic scalping from a flock.

-Kim

 

[eagletracker1]

As I mentioned before, the skin did grow back on my chicks head and bare bone was visible in that case as well.......I could see her skull perfectly....no tissue left on it.....and the skin and feathers grew back. Maybe it was an exceptional case but it returned to normal in my bird's case. Can't explain the eye though....I wonder if it was punctured during an attack....maybe there is a veterinary site similar to this that you could post the photo for vets to look at?