Serious Injury/ suggestions welcome

[WNYgardener]

I noticed some feathers missing from a young hen, on the upper back near the neck. This morning I noticed blood and more feathers missing towards the lower back. The injury, most likely as a result of pecking, got worth by the evening. As the injuries are likely happening during the daytime, I thought picking her up and putting on a different spot on the roost will not help, though I an going to try it tonight. I don't have a way of separating her. Any suggestions?

 

[Kneedles]

Can't you keep her in a cardboard box in a quiet room that isn't carpeted?
I think that you need to use some betadine for starters, but there won't be a point if the other hens are still able to attack her.

 

[WNYgardener]

Can't you keep her in a cardboard box in a quiet room that isn't carpeted?
I think that you need to use some betadine for starters, but there won't be a point if the other hens are still able to attack her.

How many days do you think she can survive in a box, given food, water, and high protein supplement of course?

 

[Kneedles]

I'm sorry; this issue is more complex than I assumed.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi there. Ultimately, you will need to figure out WHY the pecking is going on, and we can help you with that.

For now, you need to treat the hen. It does not look too bad to me, but can get worse quickly. Can you clean it and then apply neosporin? You could keep her in a dog crate with the flock so she's protected, yet doesn’t lose her place in the flock. Believe it or not, my TOP hen used to get plucked on her back. She wore a saddle for awhile, which stopped it and allowed her to heal. Increasing the protein in their feed, combined with the fact that the culprit finally had her first molt (at age 2 1/2!) stopped the behavior. You can even make your own no-sew saddle with a simple piece of fleece in a jiffy if you don’t have the means of sewing one or don’t want to wait to buy one. If she were mine, I’d get it covered right away, as that can lead to cannibalism quickly.

 

[micstrachan]

I just reread that you don’t have a way of separating her. I’d go with the saddle.

 

[WNYgardener]

I just reread that you don’t have a way of separating her. I’d go with the saddle.

Thanks. Good suggestions. I will use a large cat crate for tonight (unless otherwise advised) to stop things getting worth. I can keep her separated that much.Do you know of any video or illustrations on making or use of saddle? It will take some time to buy one (deep rural area here).

 

[Eggcessive]

You can cut one out of a piece ((7x9 inch) of polar fleece. Cut 2 slits about 2.5 inches and slip it over her wings. Here is a link about it:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

 

[WNYgardener]

You can cut one out of a piece ((7x9 inch) of polar fleece. Cut 2 slits about 2.5 inches and slip it over her wings. Here is a link about it:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html
View attachment 1690118

Hi, do you need to tie this under the hen's belly?

 

[Eggcessive]

No, it is held on just by the wings. If the wing slits are too large, they can get it off. It may take more than one attempt to get it right. The other hens may freak out when they see if, but the usually calm down soon. It helps to have it on at night so they don’t notice it in the morning.