Senior chicken seriously injured!

[Ebony Rose]

Sounds like she 'took one for the team'... (that a predator tried to get her)... and then because of the severe bleeding (as head wounds do) was pecked at by the others. I'll keep her in my prayers.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can use plain neosporin or plain triple antibiotic ointment on the comb. Comb injuries bleed a LOT (you can use corn starch or flour to helps stop bleeding if neccessary) but generally heal up well with time. Unless she was pecked severely then I doubt she has brain damage. I've had birds completely scalped and survive and heal up fine. The poopy butt is a concern as are the balance and vision problems along with the weight loss. It sounds like something else is going on with her health wise and that may have drawn the attack by her flock mates. 8 years old is getting up there for a chicken. Has she ever been wormed or had a fecal to test for internal parasites? Having her droppings tested would be a good idea. Also check her abdomen for any bloating, hardness or water balloon like. And make sure her crop is emptying after she eats. If she's eating and drinking on her own then check first thing in the morning before she has access to food or water and it should be empty. If she's not eating, then it will likely be empty anyway.
I would not bathe her just yet. Use wash cloths, etc to clean her off as best you can. Since she's not feeling well, you don't want her to get chilled.

 

[Monateru]

You can use plain neosporin or plain triple antibiotic ointment on the comb. Comb injuries bleed a LOT (you can use corn starch or flour to helps stop bleeding if neccessary) but generally heal up well with time. Unless she was pecked severely then I doubt she has brain damage. I've had birds completely scalped and survive and heal up fine. The poopy butt is a concern as are the balance and vision problems along with the weight loss. It sounds like something else is going on with her health wise and that may have drawn the attack by her flock mates. 8 years old is getting up there for a chicken. Has she ever been wormed or had a fecal to test for internal parasites? Having her droppings tested would be a good idea. Also check her abdomen for any bloating, hardness or water balloon like. And make sure her crop is emptying after she eats. If she's eating and drinking on her own then check first thing in the morning before she has access to food or water and it should be empty. If she's not eating, then it will likely be empty anyway.
I would not bathe her just yet. Use wash cloths, etc to clean her off as best you can. Since she's not feeling well, you don't want her to get chilled.

I would love to get her wormed and check for parasites and other health issues, but the only vet around who treats chickens will charge 200$ for the appointment alone... Once she's eating well I can put diatomaceous earth in her food to treat any possible parasitic infection.
Her abdomen feels normal, other than how extremely skinny she is.
How do I check her crop? She pooped a very watery poop yesterday, so her digestive system is working to some level.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Use triple antibiotic ointment/neosporin WITH NO PAIN RELIEF, not peroxide. Maybe a vetryacin spray or iodine(betadine) but no more peroxide.

DE won't worm your chickens effectively. You can get a fecal sample run at most vets without an appointment for $10-20. From there you can buy the appropriate medication from a feed store for another $20.

 

[Monateru]

Sounds like she 'took one for the team'... (that a predator tried to get her)... and then because of the severe bleeding (as head wounds do) was pecked at by the others. I'll keep her in my prayers.

Something got her. I don't know what. The only thing that I can think of is a rat, because the coop is very secure. Thank you for thinking of her! She's is my favorite chicken out of the flock and has always been friendly to me. Once upon a time she was at the top of the pecking order! Sad to see her get so old. Thank you for caring about her. I know she's "just a chicken" but she's my chicken and I'll always give my chickens the same care that I give my cats.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would love to get her wormed and check for parasites and other health issues, but the only vet around who treats chickens will charge 200$ for the appointment alone... Once she's eating well I can put diatomaceous earth in her food to treat any possible parasitic infection.
Her abdomen feels normal, other than how extremely skinny she is.
How do I check her crop? She pooped a very watery poop yesterday, so her digestive system is working to some level.

Can you provide some photos of your hen and her injuries?
Where are you located in the world?

DE will not treat internal parasites, so I would not put that in her feed. Wait until she is eating/drinking well, then get a dewormer like Fenbendazole (Safeguard) or Valbazen. Either one will treat most worms that chickens have.

With her age, she may be declining and not absorbing nutrients like she used to. You may want to give her a little extra protein like egg, fish or meat. Poultry vitamins for a few days wouldn't hurt either.

Next time you tend to her wounds/when you clean her up, look her over really well for lice/mites too.

 

[Monateru]

Use triple antibiotic ointment/neosporin WITH NO PAIN RELIEF, not peroxide. Maybe a vetryacin spray or iodine(betadine) but no more peroxide.

DE won't worm your chickens effectively. You can get a fecal sample run at most vets without an appointment for $10-20. From there you can buy the appropriate medication from a feed store for another $20.

I'll call my vet and see if they can do that. We do have very good feed stores in my area that would definitely stock a variety of medicines a d treatments.

 

[Monateru]

Can you provide some photos of your hen and her injuries?
Where are you located in the world?

DE will not treat internal parasites, so I would not put that in her feed. Wait until she is eating/drinking well, then get a dewormer like Fenbendazole (Safeguard) or Valbazen. Either one will treat most worms that chickens have.

With her age, she may be declining and not absorbing nutrients like she used to. You may want to give her a little extra protein like egg, fish or meat. Poultry vitamins for a few days wouldn't hurt either.

Next time you tend to her wounds/when you clean her up, look her over really well for lice/mites too.

I'll probably post pictures later today after I get her cleaned. Feeding her eggs is a great idea! I'm going to spoil the hell out of her today, see if I can get her energy up further.

 

[coach723]

If you can't find a vet willing to do the fecal there are mail in options:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J5SOZ4/?tag=backy-20

 

[Monateru]

Val is passing. As I was preparing to bathe the remaining poop and blood off of her, I found a problem I hadn't noticed before. It seems the stuck poop was the big issue the whole time. She has a massive infection on/in her cloaca. Lots of maggots. She is barely conscious now, and is close to death. It's too late to get a vet. I've put her back in the cage and surrounded her with hay. I put old towels and blanket on top and around the cage. I can't imagine how much pain she is in. I wish I could help her. At least she's warm and safe.