Suggestions? URGENT

[CabritaChicks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-last-time-around-graphic-sad-update.1680389/

8 week old, skin torn off. flushed and added ointment. with skin this thin, I dont think I can do stitches without anesthesia.

Advice please.

Note: I know what I would tell client to do... but this is my little girl, so it hits home hard.

 

[kattabelly]

Keep using the ointment and make sure she's not at risk of flystrike.

If you do a search for "scalped" and tick to search titles only, there are loads of threads posted by people who successfully treated similar injuries the same way.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I would keep up with the ointment, I’ve read several threads here with birds with more damage making miraculous recoveries!
Let me tag some folks. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[azygous]

I'm going to respond two different ways in two different message windows. First thing I will suggest is to examine your run and coop so as to create plenty of escape routes for the chicks, and be sure to eliminate any dead end corners where a chicken can trap a hapless chick. That's how these tragedies happen.

Chicks are very clever and very fast to evade adult bullies when there is plenty of escape routes. Escape routes would include chick size openings in any barriers or partitions. This article of mine describes such a system to keep babies safe. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

 

[CabritaChicks]

Keep using the ointment and make sure she's not at risk of flystrike.

If you do a search for "scalped" and tick to search titles only, there are loads of threads posted by people who successfully treated similar injuries the same way.

No flystrike, she is in the home now. Ill keep and eye out. Thank you. She is eating and drinking.

I would keep up with the ointment, I’ve read several threads here with birds with more damage making miraculous recoveries!
Let me tag some folks. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

Thank you. She was always the one to get picked on (always tiny)- and chickens smell blood. So it could potentially been a attack, and then gang situation.

Hubby has lost his schnitt crying. He feels responsible.... as I said to leave them in the house for two more week until they are bigger as I could see some behaviour traits I didnt agree with. Well- now they will be in the house indefinitely for two-4 weeks+
He now has zero say in the matter.

She is still eating and drinking.

 

[azygous]

Here is my second suggestion addressing wound treatment. You do not need to stitch a torn skin flap. "Glue" the flap by coating both the raw wound and the skin flap with wound ointment. Stick the flap down on the ointment and add a heavy layer over the top to hold the flap in place.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Keep it clean (flush or hold a warm moist cloth on it twice daily), if you can get oral antibiotics that would be much better than topical for large wounds, aspirin in water for pain, keep other birds away so they don’t make it worse. Without stitches it will take 6-8 weeks (depending on size of wound) to heal, stitches drops it to 2 weeks, a little discomfort and stress now will cut healing time significantly, it is hard but it is for your and the birds good!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

8 week old, skin torn off. flushed and added ointment. with skin this thin, I dont think I can do stitches without anesthesia.

I'm sorry about your pullet.

The wound looks like it's been cleaned well. I'd keep it coated with triple antibiotic ointment and monitor her. Don't bandage. Don't stitch. See that she's eating/drinking well.

IF you detect a bad odor, then re-clean with Chlorhexidine or Povidone Iodine. Apply your ointment. Having an antibiotic or a way to get one quickly is a good idea, but generally one is not needed unless the wound gets infected.

I've had scalped hens before, it can be distressing to see them like this, but I've found that keeping the wound coated with ointment helps and they heal relatively fast, growing in new feathers too.

She will be sore for several days and the skin may become tight, so watch to see if she has any trouble bending the neck to eat/drink, if she does, then just raise the food/water higher (put it on a block of wood or brick). As she heals, flexibility will come back too.

Oh and don't get too hasty with letting her out on dirt or at least monitor her and don't let her take a dust bath. First thing they seem to want to do is take a dust bath. Ointment, a wound and a dust bath makes for a challenging time to get it all cleaned back up. Ask me how I know!

Photos from your other thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ound-graphic-sad-update.1680389/post-28920343