treating an injured hen

[Hardknockshomestead]

Ok without a photo and knowing that this poster doesn’t want the chicken indoors, I have to say there’s a lot to be said for a warm soapy washcloth, dry towel and an hour in the garage to dry off (or even a big carbord box full of towels on the porch, up against the back door.)

My HOPE is that the dried weeping fluids sealed the feather follicles shut and possibly kept *some germs from invading the skin BEFORE the dirt got caked on, but the reality is it’s more likely that you’ll wind up with an infection if it is a LOT of feathers yanked out.

Personally, I would scrub and spray, because livestock or not, I’d hate for a bird to wind up getting infected and having to be culled for something I could have easily avoided with just a few minutes of my time.

What would you use for soap? I have homemade organic bar soap, would that work if I ever have an injury to my hens, and would you use a different kind of antiseptic?

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

Kfhmomma, how is your hen doing?

 

[staceyj]

What would you use for soap? I have homemade organic bar soap, would that work if I ever have an injury to my hens, and would you use a different kind of antiseptic?

Honestly, I use dawn brand dish soap for basic stuff. It rinses clean and does the job. Also doesn’t sting.
I usually fill a bucket half full with warm water that I’ve squirted about a scant teaspoon of dawn in, grab a couple of wash cloths or clean rags , and head outside.

If something is infected, or seems to be heading that way I’m a gigantic advocate of hibiclens or the storebrand equivalent.
(Chlorhexidine gluconate scrub).

I keep a “rag bag” in my laundry room.
A few times a year I weed through my bathtowels.
Those that have seen better days I cut (or sometimes rip, wow that is satisfying!) into roughly 6, 8 or 10 inch squares and they go in the rag bag.
Then when I have something going on I can grab a few.
Later, they go in a bleach bucket (1:10) to soak overnight or if it’s something particularly nasty I just throw them away!

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

Honestly, I use dawn brand dish soap for basic stuff. It rinses clean and does the job. Also doesn’t sting.
I usually fill a bucket half full with warm water that I’ve squirted about a scant teaspoon of dawn in, grab a couple of wash cloths or clean rags , and head outside.

If something is infected, or seems to be heading that way I’m a gigantic advocate of hibiclens or the storebrand equivalent.
(Chlorhexidine gluconate scrub).

I keep a “rag bag” in my laundry room.
A few times a year I weed through my bathtowels.
Those that have seen better days I cut (or sometimes rip, wow that is satisfying!) into roughly 6, 8 or 10 inch squares and they go in the rag bag.
Then when I have something going on I can grab a few.
Later, they go in a bleach bucket (1:10) to soak overnight or if it’s something particularly nasty I just throw them away!

That's good to know about the Dawn, and also about chlorhexidine.

More info about using chlorhexidine scrub for injuries please! (I just got my first goats this week.)

 

[staceyj]

Let’s just say it’s awesome sauce!

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is the active ingredient in “Hibiclens”, and products that say compare to Hibiclens ...
It is available over the counter and is commonly used as an antimicrobial scrub presurgically to kill germs on the skin of a patient and is also used as a hand scrub for surgical staff and can be used to clean medical instruments.

In my opinion, its definitely a “no Home should be without it” kind of product.
It isn’t cheap, but a bottle lasts a long time.

Three drawbacks:

While scrubbing with it may knock back the population of fungus topically, it does not kill fungal SPORES, so if you think you are dealing with a problem that is fungal AND which is complicated by a secondary infection, it would help address the infection, but not the underlying fungus. So, You’d still need an antifungal.

It should NEVER be used in the ears as it is ototoxic full strength, meaning it can cause deafness if the eardrum is ruptured.

and it can cause eye damage.

However, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on a wound on the head or face of an animal or human (with restraint).

I would simply take care to keep it out of the eyes and ears, flushing if necessary.

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

Let’s just say it’s awesome sauce!

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is the active ingredient in “Hibiclens”, and products that say compare to Hibiclens ...
It is available over the counter and is commonly used as an antimicrobial scrub presurgically to kill germs on the skin of a patient and is also used as a hand scrub for surgical staff and can be used to clean medical instruments.

In my opinion, its definitely a “no Home should be without it” kind of product.
It isn’t cheap, but a bottle lasts a long time.

Three drawbacks:

While scrubbing with it may knock back the population of fungus topically, it does not kill fungal SPORES, so if you think you are dealing with a problem that is fungal AND which is complicated by a secondary infection, it would help address the infection, but not the underlying fungus. So, You’d still need an antifungal.

It should NEVER be used in the ears as it is ototoxic full strength, meaning it can cause deafness if the eardrum is ruptured.

and it can cause eye damage.

However, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on a wound on the head or face of an animal or human (with restraint).

I would simply take care to keep it out of the eyes and ears, flushing if necessary.

Wow, thanks! We like to keep stocked up on things here that would be useful for being self sufficient. I am definitely going
to get some for emergencies. And thanks for the info about ototoxicity as well as potential eye damage.