Should I give my hen antibiotics? Found a large wound on her. *Warning: graphic photo

[citychicks99]

On Sunday, I found a wound under her wing where the skin was ripped off. It was about a 2-3 inch circle. It looked fresh that day but it didn't look like she was bleeding. I didn't find any traces of blood anywhere either. She does look a bit naked in that area so some of the other hens might have pecked her. This happened last year around this time. It was so bad I had to give her her own coop. I did see a purple lump where the skin was ripped.

I sprayed the area with rubbing alcohol and put some Neosporin on the edges. I had to leave town on Monday so I couldn't tend to her. I just got back today and took the picture below.

It doesn't look infected but I'm wondering if I should give her Aqua-mox (amoxicillin)? I'm hesitating though because she's on the older side and has been a little weaker. I need to give her rooster booster or she will lay very weak-shell eggs. I don't want to give her antibiotics if it will make her weaker. Can I try giving her some only if the wound looks infected? TIA.

 

[MysteryChicken]

On Sunday, I found a wound under her wing where the skin was ripped off. It was about a 2-3 inch circle. It looked fresh that day but it didn't look like she was bleeding. I didn't find any traces of blood anywhere either. She does look a bit naked in that area so some of the other hens might have pecked her. This happened last year around this time. It was so bad I had to give her her own coop. I did see a purple lump where the skin was ripped.

I sprayed the area with rubbing alcohol and put some Neosporin on the edges. I had to leave town on Monday so I couldn't tend to her. I just got back today and took the picture below.

It doesn't look infected but I'm wondering if I should give her Aqua-mox (amoxicillin)? I'm hesitating though because she's on the older side and has been a little weaker. I need to give her rooster booster or she will lay very weak-shell eggs. I don't want to give her antibiotics if it will make her weaker. Can I try giving her some only if the wound looks infected? TIA.

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It's healing fine. Just keep applying triple Antibiotic ointment to it 2-3 times a day.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Could this be a wound from the rooster's spurs during mating? (Do you have a rooster?) If so, perhaps he is in need of a trim. Don't give antibiotics unless there is evidence of infection. Oozing, redness around the margins, odor. Otherwise, as @MysteryChicken said, just keep it moist with ointment (ointment should not have pain reliever in it) and don't let flies lay eggs in it. Protect her from other hens pecking at it. If they do, put her in a wire crate but leave her where she is still with the other birds so she does not lose her standing in the flock.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If she lays weak-shelled eggs you can give her calcium citrate +D3 tablet every day for about 5 days. Just pop it in her beak and she will swallow it whole. You can get these on the supplement aisle at any grocery or drug store.

 

[citychicks99]

Could this be a wound from the rooster's spurs during mating? (Do you have a rooster?) If so, perhaps he is in need of a trim. Don't give antibiotics unless there is evidence of infection. Oozing, redness around the margins, odor. Otherwise, as @MysteryChicken said, just keep it moist with ointment (ointment should not have pain reliever in it) and don't let flies lay eggs in it. Protect her from other hens pecking at it. If they do, put her in a wire crate but leave her where she is still with the other birds so she does not lose her standing in the flock.

Yes, we have a roo. Ugh, I've seen videos trimming the spurs and that looks nerve-wracking.

 

[citychicks99]

If she lays weak-shelled eggs you can give her calcium citrate +D3 tablet every day for about 5 days. Just pop it in her beak and she will swallow it whole. You can get these on the supplement aisle at any grocery or drug store.

I tried that but it didn't work. I think her body is having a hard time absorbing calcium.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, we have a roo. Ugh, I've seen videos trimming the spurs and that looks nerve-wracking.

Well, I can tell you how I do it but it may or may not work for you. I do it at night after everybody's roosted. I go out there with a tool I know will do the job, a good set of side cutters or my very sharp kitchen shears that will cut through chicken bone. Rojo, my rooster, is on the roost and if necessary I goose him a little to get him to stand up. Then I just cut an inch or so off the tip of each spur. It doesn't seem to bother him. If he gets a little antsy and won't stand still, I have DH pluck him off the roost and cradle him like a football while I snip the spurs. Takes less than half a minute. Boom, put him back on the roost. Done.