Torn Comb?

[Brennigan]

I just noticed this as my chickens were going to roost tonight. The fresh blood is coming from along her comb on one side & is falling all over her head. She was much too squirmy for me to inspect anything. Is this something I can fix/treat or would it be more humane to put her down? Is there anything I could do tonight while she's gone to roost?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Comb wounds, like head wounds, bleed a lot. I had two young cockerels get into a fight earlier, and one of them currently looks a lot worse than yours does (He was abandoned, and he's picking fights with mine. And of course, he's got a silver neck, so it looks worse than it is.) If you get the chance, putting some antiseptic on it with a q-tip may help. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry a bit.

 

[Brennigan]

Comb wounds, like head wounds, bleed a lot. I had two young cockerels get into a fight earlier, and one of them currently looks a lot worse than yours does (He was abandoned, and he's picking fights with mine. And of course, he's got a silver neck, so it looks worse than it is.) If you get the chance, putting some antiseptic on it with a q-tip may help. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry a bit.

Thanks so much~ that's reassuring. Its too late to run to the store here; I've heard to use saline solution? Would that help?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Thanks so much~ that's reassuring. Its too late to run to the store here; I've heard to use saline solution? Would that help?

That may help clean her off. If you can get her to hold still and not restart the bleeding by struggling, go for it.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Should she separate the injured chicken to prevent the others from pecking at her?

 

[Brennigan]

That may help clean her off. If you can get her to hold still and not restart the bleeding by struggling, go for it.

Its dark here now, so I think I'm going to try to do a little clean-up while they roost. I've heard Neosporin is bad for chickens. What other antiseptic could I use?

Should she separate the injured chicken to prevent the others from pecking at her?

They're all currently roosting in the dark. I'll check right away in the morning if they are bullying her. She is my flock leader, so I'm curious how that dynamic will work out...

 

[emmyn74]

I would just watch them and see if they do try to peck at the comb....if they do...then separate until it heals a little...but it probably won't look very big once the bleeding stops...they may not even bother her.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Should she separate the injured chicken to prevent the others from pecking at her?

Depends on the temperament of the bird and of the flock. Mine wouldn't bother an injured hen, so I didn't even think of it. Good point.

Do you (OP) know how this comb injury came about and how the other memebers of your flock will react? If you don't and aren't going to be home tomorrow, you may want to separate. Otherwise, I'd keep an eye on her and just make sure she's not being bullied.

 

[Brennigan]

Depends on the temperament of the bird and of the flock. Mine wouldn't bother an injured hen, so I didn't even think of it. Good point.

Do you (OP) know how this comb injury came about and how the other memebers of your flock will react? If you don't and aren't going to be home tomorrow, you may want to separate. Otherwise, I'd keep an eye on her and just make sure she's not being bullied.

I'm not sure how it happened! I let them out to free-range for an hour while I did some gardening & didn't really get a good look at her beforehand. Her comb is extra large & wobbly, so I'm wondering if she clipped it on something? I will be home in the morning, so I'll keep an eye on her and see how the flock reacts. Thank you so much!

 

[Brennigan]

Depends on the temperament of the bird and of the flock. Mine wouldn't bother an injured hen, so I didn't even think of it. Good point.

Do you (OP) know how this comb injury came about and how the other memebers of your flock will react? If you don't and aren't going to be home tomorrow, you may want to separate. Otherwise, I'd keep an eye on her and just make sure she's not being bullied.

I would just watch them and see if they do try to peck at the comb....if they do...then separate until it heals a little...but it probably won't look very big once the bleeding stops...they may not even bother her.

Should she separate the injured chicken to prevent the others from pecking at her?

Do you think something like this would be good to get in the morning to put on it?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/green-goo-animal-first-aid-182-oz-517-g