Subcutaneous emphysema

[Haisai21]

I have a little 16 week old frizzle that I’m in the process of integrating. The big girls have not been kind to her. I think they caused some subcutaneous emphysema when establishing the pecking order. It’s under her wing and along or in front of her thigh. She’s like a little slightly deflated balloon in those areas. She is not in distress. If I leave it be, how long will it take to heal? I’m prepared to aspirate the air if needed but I read I should wait.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any pictures? If the air sac leak is fairly large you may want to needle it. You can use an 18 gauge needle inserted just under the skin to aspirate the air. I once used a small 22 gauge needle in a chick so use what you have. The air probably will gradually be reabsorbed by the body over days, if the chicken is not having respiratory distress. I usually introduce new chickens over a week or more through a wire dog crate or fencing.

 

[Haisai21]

It’s hard to tell from the picture but the circled areas are air filled. It’s not horrible but it just caught me off guard.
I had them in a kennel for over a week. The big girls stopped paying attention to them so I let them out. They free range in a large enclosed garden area which is okay but they chase them pretty bad when in the actual coop area. They don’t bother them at night when housed together and come out in the morning like it’s okay but then resume the chase.

 

[Eggcessive]

The needles and syringe from the feed store are pretty inexpensive, so I would get some just in case you need them.