scalped pullet

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I guess I posted this in the wrong thread. So I am posting it in this one.


Anything I can do far a scalped hen? My rooster attacked her..a BR, 15 weeks old, when I tried to integrate them yesterday into the big coop.




I did bathe her wounds, put on neosporin, and have her wrapped in clean rags sitting inside with me. For observation and feeding. She is only barely able to see out 1 eye right now, so can't find food or water.
We weren't sure how the roo would react. They are from somebody who used to fight them, then, years ago set them all loose when it became illegal. I talked to DH. Rooster will just have to be culled this weekend.

 

[fried green eggs]

I'm so sorry for your poor little hen. You will need to keep her apart from the rest until she heals. You can use plain neosporin around the eye and if some gets in the eye it's ok. Sounds like a good plan to cull this rooster. When you re-introduce the hen put her in a dog kennel so she is with the others but protected for a week and then only let her out with the flock when you are there for a first few days. Good Luck

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Thank you. I am rooting for her. I just got the left eye cleaned out. I think it is gone. I am wondering if the roo thought this was a cockerel instead of a hen. The injured bird has a very small comb, but no waddles.

 

[sumi]

I had a pullet scalped by a mongoose a few months ago. I put antibiotic ointment on the wound and left it open so it can breathe. I kept her inside the house, with us, so she's way from the rest of the flock and their pecks and we can spoil her a bit and keep an eye on her wound. She recovered quickly and even grew most of the feathers back! Best of luck with your girl!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Thank you again!! I just am hoping to find out birds can recover from these sort of injuries. And I know much worse happens to them. This is my absolute first year with chickens, of any sorts.

 

[fried green eggs]

You might want to add vitamins and scrambled eggs to her diet to help her stay strong while she heals. I'm pulling for her. I hope she heals quickly.

 

[sumi]

I hope so too! I'll take a pic for you tomorrow of my girls head so you can see what's possible. I wish I had a pic of her injury, but we were so freaked out I didn't think of it at the time. She amazed us by her recovery. Chickens are tough little things! Do as fried green eggs suggested and give her a boost. High protein snacks and vitamins will be good for her now.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Hen is resting quietly, breathing steady. I have managed to get some electrolyte and nourishment down her gullet.

 

[TeamChaos]

Oh, I'm so sorry! We had a banty hen get scalped and it looked really terrible. We brought her inside, cleaned her up and treated the wound with a product called vetericyn. She made a complete recovery, but it took a long time to heal. Chickens can remain in shock for quite a while after an attack, so make sure she's alert and interested in eating and drinking before you force anything on her. Also, if it's fly season where you are, be sure the flies cannot get to the wound to lay eggs in it or you'll have a very bad situation! It's safe to say that if that rooster were on my farm, he would have exhausted my last bit of compassion.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

offending rooster now rests in the compost bin. He'll be nice and warm.