Severly Injured Hen - What would you do? (warning, contains very graphic pictures)

[majormagic]

She's doing much better!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Man y’all are some tough people. That is quite an experience for both of you and so glad she’s been doing so well about it the whole time

 

[majormagic]

Man y’all are some tough people. That is quite an experience for both of you and so glad she’s been doing so well about it the whole time

It's been quite the learning experience for sure.
This is what it looks like now.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Wow!!! Looks better already!

 

[Kiki]

Have you been wrapping this area daily or leaving it unwrapped?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

She looks amazing for having a wing removed! A note for when you return her to the coop, unless she’s a house chicken now, she will need ramps. They use their wings for balance so I would think something wide and flat. But they will use them. I put a tree ramp in my coop and it took them a little while but once a few of them used it they all learned.

 

[majormagic]

Wow!!! Looks better already!

I am surprised it looks so good!

 

[majormagic]

Have you been wrapping this area daily or leaving it unwrapped?

I kept a wrap on it until the scab formed. No wrap now.

 

[majormagic]

She looks amazing for having a wing removed! A note for when you return her to the coop, unless she’s a house chicken now, she will need ramps. They use their wings for balance so I would think something wide and flat. But they will use them. I put a tree ramp in my coop and it took them a little while but once a few of them used it they all learned.

Great suggestion! Interestingly, while I had her in my bathroom she did a one-wing fly/hop up onto the counter. I think she's one that like to roost in the trees at night, so I'm going to have to come up with a plan for her.

 

[Tesumph]

Wow, that is super cool to see. You did an amazing job. I’m not claiming to be even close to an expert, but having worked in vet clinics I can tell you it probably would NOT have been sutured by a vet. With that level of infection you really don’t want to close something like that up, it’s much much better to let it granulate in and heal from the inside out. The exposed bone is worrying but obviously this wasn’t an ideal situation.
If it was fresh, bleeding, or a large area (gaping), then yea probably at least partial sutures. Also, dental floss can be used in extreme emergencies, just FYI.
I can tell you now that my vet would’ve done exactly what you did (clean, debride, keep sterile), just with fancier equipment. MAYBE a sugar wrap would’ve helped. MAYBE they would’ve amputated the elbow as well, but I can see a surgery like that being lethal on a chicken in that condition.
Not trying to sound like I know any better! That’s just what I know