Severe Frostbite to Roo

[BlueCreekChicken]

Hi everyone. I'm brand new to this community and to chickenkeeping but need help.

For context- About a month ago, my neighbors moved and abandoned their chickens. I already "inherited" ducks that they neglected- they came to my yard a year ago and never left but the chickens seemed to stay in their yard. Until they moved. Now, the left behind birds are always in my yard.

The chickens weren't really handled so I can't touch them but I did manage to build two coops for them and most are using them- except for the four roos. Normally they roost in my trees. However tonight one of the roos was just sitting in the middle of my yard tonight when I let my dog out.

I'm in NC but we had a cold snap and I guess this roo got frost bite. I was able to catch him in the dark and bring him in. He wasn't particularly happy but calmed down quickly. I applied some vetericyn spray, which I purchased on a whim when they showed up, after reading different threads in this community as a guest.
His head is blackened and his eyes are swollen. I crumbled up a baby aspirin and was able to give it to him. I also have him in a dog crate in my garage. There is a small heater in there that keeps the temp at 68-70 for a stray cat that I let in when it's bitter cold out.

All of that to say, what else can I do? I ordered some vetericyn hydrogel for pick up first thing tomorrow at TSC. I have water in the crate and put some all flock crumbles with a touch of applesauce and some oregano-because I read these can help with immune systems. I have googled and there are no vets that take care of chickens close to me.

Can he survive this? While I have always had dogs, cats, and horses.. I'm totally new to chickens and it breaks my heart to see him suffer. (I'm also so incredibly angry at the jerks who left them behind without a concern in the world for their wellbeing.)

Any advice, suggestions are appreciated.

 

[BlueCreekChicken]

I don't have a lot of information on the roo himself.. other than he seems to be some type of American game type roo- based on pictures. He seems to be full grown. Only poo that I have observed was white and very watery. Not presently interested in food or water but I am wondering if this is because he can't really see.

 

[GodLovesU]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...to-know-about-injury-care-and-recovery.78168/
Hope that helps!Thank you for being so kind to animals who aren’t cared for!

 

[BlueCreekChicken]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...to-know-about-injury-care-and-recovery.78168/
Hope that helps!Thank you for being so kind to animals who aren’t cared for!

Thank you so much! I will read it now. And thank you, I couldn't imagine not doing what I can for them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

except for the four roos.

I applied some vetericyn spray, which I purchased on a whim when they showed up, after reading different threads in this community as a guest.
His head is blackened and his eyes are swollen.

some type of American game type roo

Welcome To BYC

He's not suffering from Frostbite.


To me he's been beaten up by another rooster or perhaps attacked by a predator. I'd lean more toward another rooster. I keep American Game. Once they reach a certain age, often they are not going to tolerate one another and they need to be separated to their own pens.

He has a puncture wound to the head, like from a spur or beak.

Keeping him warm is a good idea.
Swab out his beak if it has blood in it so he doesn't aspirate it.

Vetericyn is good, it can be used around the eyes, but if possible, I'd use an antiseptic like Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to clean out that puncture. Pack it with Triple antibiotic ointment.

For the face, apply a thin layer of vaseline or triple antibiotic ointment, this will help soften up the blood. Use a warm wet cloth, wipe away the dried blood. For eyes, use saline, rinse out the eyes, then put a dab of triple antibiotic ointment in each eye to help work out blood/debris and keep them more moist. Repeat cleaning the eyes and ointment at least once daily, more if you notice them getting bubbly or having pus.

For blood on the feathers, if it's really sticky, use a bit of peroxide on a paper towel and work the sticky blood off the feathers. I wouldn't use Peroxide on the wounds, but it's great at helping dissolve sticky messes.

Get some sugar water into him. 1tsp sugar to 1cup warm water. Give him drops of this, once he tastes it, hopefully he'll be willing to drink it on its own. Keep the cup/water bowl up on a block so he doesn't have to bend his neck down so far.

Hydration first, then offer wet feed.

If you have an antiboitic on hand, that would be good. Normally they can do pretty good without it, but that puncture is concerning.
Amoxicillin or Baytril would be good to give.

This one, how's his feet, any broken toes, nails or spurs?

Check your other birds in the a.m. you likely have another with injuries, just not quite so severe.

https://jedds.com/products/enrofloxacin-10?_pos=1&_sid=5055c1364&_ss=r

https://jedds.com/products/amoxicillin-capsules?_pos=5&_sid=cfe62fbc7&_ss=r

 

[GodLovesU]

Welcome To BYC

He's not suffering from Frostbite.


To me he's been beaten up by another rooster or perhaps attacked by a predator. I'd lean more toward another rooster. I keep American Game. Once they reach a certain age, often they are not going to tolerate one another and they need to be separated to their own pens.

He has a puncture wound to the head, like from a spur or beak.

Keeping him warm is a good idea.
Swab out his beak if it has blood in it so he doesn't aspirate it.

Vetericyn is good, it can be used around the eyes, but if possible, I'd use an antiseptic like Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to clean out that puncture. Pack it with Triple antibiotic ointment.

For the face, apply a thin layer of vaseline or triple antibiotic ointment, this will help soften up the blood. Use a warm wet cloth, wipe away the dried blood. For eyes, use saline, rinse out the eyes, then put a dab of triple antibiotic ointment in each eye to help work out blood/debris and keep them more moist. Repeat cleaning the eyes and ointment at least once daily, more if you notice them getting bubbly or having pus.

For blood on the feathers, if it's really sticky, use a bit of peroxide on a paper towel and work the sticky blood off the feathers. I wouldn't use Peroxide on the wounds, but it's great at helping dissolve sticky messes.

Get some sugar water into him. 1tsp sugar to 1cup warm water. Give him drops of this, once he tastes it, hopefully he'll be willing to drink it on its own. Keep the cup/water bowl up on a block so he doesn't have to bend his neck down so far.

Hydration first, then offer wet feed.

If you have an antiboitic on hand, that would be good. Normally they can do pretty good without it, but that puncture is concerning.
Amoxicillin or Baytril would be good to give.

This one, how's his feet, any broken toes, nails or spurs?

Check your other birds in the a.m. you likely have another with injuries, just not quite so severe.

https://jedds.com/products/enrofloxacin-10?_pos=1&_sid=5055c1364&_ss=r

https://jedds.com/products/amoxicillin-capsules?_pos=5&_sid=cfe62fbc7&_ss=r

I agree. I noticed the puncture wound, but I forgot about it.

 

[BlueCreekChicken]

Welcome To BYC

He's not suffering from Frostbite.


To me he's been beaten up by another rooster or perhaps attacked by a predator. I'd lean more toward another rooster. I keep American Game. Once they reach a certain age, often they are not going to tolerate one another and they need to be separated to their own pens.

He has a puncture wound to the head, like from a spur or beak.

Keeping him warm is a good idea.
Swab out his beak if it has blood in it so he doesn't aspirate it.

Vetericyn is good, it can be used around the eyes, but if possible, I'd use an antiseptic like Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to clean out that puncture. Pack it with Triple antibiotic ointment.

For the face, apply a thin layer of vaseline or triple antibiotic ointment, this will help soften up the blood. Use a warm wet cloth, wipe away the dried blood. For eyes, use saline, rinse out the eyes, then put a dab of triple antibiotic ointment in each eye to help work out blood/debris and keep them more moist. Repeat cleaning the eyes and ointment at least once daily, more if you notice them getting bubbly or having pus.

For blood on the feathers, if it's really sticky, use a bit of peroxide on a paper towel and work the sticky blood off the feathers. I wouldn't use Peroxide on the wounds, but it's great at helping dissolve sticky messes.

Get some sugar water into him. 1tsp sugar to 1cup warm water. Give him drops of this, once he tastes it, hopefully he'll be willing to drink it on its own. Keep the cup/water bowl up on a block so he doesn't have to bend his neck down so far.

Hydration first, then offer wet feed.

If you have an antiboitic on hand, that would be good. Normally they can do pretty good without it, but that puncture is concerning.
Amoxicillin or Baytril would be good to give.

This one, how's his feet, any broken toes, nails or spurs?

Check your other birds in the a.m. you likely have another with injuries, just not quite so severe.

https://jedds.com/products/enrofloxacin-10?_pos=1&_sid=5055c1364&_ss=r

https://jedds.com/products/amoxicillin-capsules?_pos=5&_sid=cfe62fbc7&_ss=r

First, let me say THANK YOU so much for all of this information. I'm beyond grateful.

I was able to get a good look at the other three roos today as they came and went through the yard. None are showing any signs of wounds or injuries.

My roo, Rhett, (I needed a name to talk to him) is still hanging in. I gave him a very close look over and he doesn't have any other injuries aside from his head. His legs looks good and he is not missing any nails or spurs.

Unfortunately, he's not interested in water- at all. Not sugar water, not water that's elevated, not dripping some water from a Q-tip, nothing. Out of pure desperation, this evening I put a little tiny pinch of applesauce on the tip of his beak and he did swallow it. I got him to do this for about ten minutes right after cleaning his wounds earlier today.. and then I tried again just a bit ago when I added some additional ointment in a few places that seemed a little drier. It's not much, but I keep telling myself, it's got to be better than nothing.

During the cleaning earlier, I continued with the vetericyn. I was able to find some Hibiclens. It says liquid soap; is this what you were referring to or is there another product type? I attempted to gently start removing some of the dried blood but even following your direction, many spots around his eyes and on the back of his head seem very hardened and black. Should I push to go ahead and get it off or gently keep working it, with each cleaning? The comb doesn't seem to be so much bloody, as it is just entirely blackened. I did pack the puncture as best I could and applied triple antibiotic ointment in/around his eyes. Keep thinking I am applying too much but I just worry about it easily getting rubbed off. One eye is slightly open but the other is totally closed.

Amoxicillin wasn't available right now at the link but if I am able to get my hands on some- what dosage would you recommend?

Again, thank you for taking the time to provide your very informative post. I really want to do everything I can for this boy.

Pics aren't great but this is him tonight.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

First, let me say THANK YOU so much for all of this information. I'm beyond grateful.

I was able to get a good look at the other three roos today as they came and went through the yard. None are showing any signs of wounds or injuries.

My roo, Rhett, (I needed a name to talk to him) is still hanging in. I gave him a very close look over and he doesn't have any other injuries aside from his head. His legs looks good and he is not missing any nails or spurs.

Unfortunately, he's not interested in water- at all. Not sugar water, not water that's elevated, not dripping some water from a Q-tip, nothing. Out of pure desperation, this evening I put a little tiny pinch of applesauce on the tip of his beak and he did swallow it. I got him to do this for about ten minutes right after cleaning his wounds earlier today.. and then I tried again just a bit ago when I added some additional ointment in a few places that seemed a little drier. It's not much, but I keep telling myself, it's got to be better than nothing.

During the cleaning earlier, I continued with the vetericyn. I was able to find some Hibiclens. It says liquid soap; is this what you were referring to or is there another product type? I attempted to gently start removing some of the dried blood but even following your direction, many spots around his eyes and on the back of his head seem very hardened and black. Should I push to go ahead and get it off or gently keep working it, with each cleaning? The comb doesn't seem to be so much bloody, as it is just entirely blackened. I did pack the puncture as best I could and applied triple antibiotic ointment in/around his eyes. Keep thinking I am applying too much but I just worry about it easily getting rubbed off. One eye is slightly open but the other is totally closed.

Amoxicillin wasn't available right now at the link but if I am able to get my hands on some- what dosage would you recommend?

Again, thank you for taking the time to provide your very informative post. I really want to do everything I can for this boy.

Pics aren't great but this is him tonight.

Very good!

No, don't try to push forward and remove/scrub off the crusty scabs, just keep them coated with your ointment or the vetericyn. As he heals the crusts will eventually slough off.

He has an eye open, that's good. For ointment in the eye, I usually just put a small "dot" but you are right, it will melt and run out of the eye.

Just keep working on getting fluids on him the best you can. Applesauce sounds good (you may see some runny poop because of the applesauce just so you know). Watermelon is often a favorite, so is tomato - not sure because of the color or these just taste so good.

Amoxicillin dosing is 57mg per pound of weight given orally twice a day for 7-10 days. What do you have? If you have something like 250mg tablets, I'd dose him 2x a day with that.

IF you are unable to find Amoxicillin at the link I gave you (some products/meds are very hard to get nowadays) you can try HERE I've ordered from them before as well. They sometimes sell out quickly.

I'm hoping he'll pull through. Please keep me posted.

Oh yes, the Hibiclens is a soap type stuff - good stuff!

Glad the others are ok - I wonder...maybe an Owl or Hawk got a hold of him. If they roost in trees...possum or Raccoon - Racoon usually aims for the head. All of these can prey on birds in trees.