Serve open head wound is Black

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes a rooster or young cockerel will peck at a hen’s neck or head, and may become agressive if they refuse to be mated. I had a polish hen scalped and beaten by a young one once, but she was not in as bad a shape as your poor pullet. How old is Lillie Girl?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't mean to sound cruel, but I would cull the poor girl. It will be a very long healing process otherwise.

 

[Crazychickenlady76]

Sometimes a rooster or young cockerel will peck at a hen’s neck or head, and may become agressive if they refuse to be mated. I had a polish hen scalped and beaten by a young one once, but she was not in as bad a shape as your poor pullet. How old is Lillie Girl?

She’s only 9mth

 

[WVduckchick]

Oh dear. Somehow you have to get that skin reconnected behind her head. I don’t think it will rejuvenate that much. Tears heal fairly easily, but that’s gaping! Sure would be nice to know what set the others off.

 

[Crazychickenlady76]

I can’t reconnect all the skin is gone

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some similar injuries with results:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-scalped-hen-heal-completely-graphic-pics.837421/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/scalped-hen-help-graphic-pics.462845/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/graphic-pics-scalped-orloff-pullet.425326/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/uncles-hen-got-scalped.744438/

 

[Lady Lionheart]

I can't tell, but is this chicken missing an eye? I don't have any advice as I'm just following along, but wanted to say I'm sorry for this little lady. And, of course to the OP. Difficult situation. Hope she is able to heal up.

 

[Crazychickenlady76]

I can't tell, but is this chicken missing an eye? I don't have any advice as I'm just following along, but wanted to say I'm sorry for this little lady. And, of course to the OP. Difficult situation. Hope she is able to heal up.

She has both eyes

 

[staceyj]

These new pictures of poor Lillie Girl put a new spin on things.

You mentioned last night that you could see her jawbone but it wasn’t visible in last night’s pictures and I assumed you meant “a little peek” of bone which new skin CAN recover.

Seeing that her neck on that left side is completely open is frankly a complication and imho, decreases her odds of healing without infection.

I’m concerned that this smell you spoke of today is coming from down inside that crevasse.

*question for other wound care people:
My instincts are saying this should be flushed with diluted betadine, but without being able to feel just how deep it goes or what’s exposed, I’m hesitant.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

Also to the original
Poster: This is your girl. How do YOU feel about that possibility?
You’ve been an absolute trooper so far. Do you think you’d be up for that if the consensus thinks it might help?

I’ve seen hideous degloving injuries on dogs and cats with deep gashes, shattered bones and exposed tendons heal, so I’m not giving up hope.

Did I miss your answer to the question about whether or not you have a relationship with a local veterinarian? Or if that’s even a possibility or desire for you?

Although I’m a supporter of letting the body heal itself if there’s infection brewing inside that crater it might improve her odds.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you read through a few of the old threads in post 95, many of the hens had most of the skin off the back of the head or neck, but recovered. None were as bad as your pullet’s injury though. You described some seizure activity and possibly wry neck which could mean that she had a brain injury. The skin, believe it or not will grow again if you keep it clean and moist with ointment, but it will take a couple of months. I would see how she does in the next couple of days, and do what you think is best for her. It would be a tough decision to put her down if she will eat and drink, but if she doesn’t start acting more normal, she may not thrive. A lot depends too on how much time you have to devote to her care while she is separated.