Treating Wound on Comb of Speckled Sussex Pullet

[KristinJ8307]

I didnt see what happened but I surmised from the kids, my 7 year old was swinging around a butterfly net "trying to catch butterflies" aka being silly bc there a no butterflies to be seen today. She somehow clipped Buttercup, our Speckled Sussex pullet who was happily minding her own business free ranging. It's not terribly bad but she is bleeding a bit and maybe missing a tiny piece of comb. I'm worried about the other pullets trying to peck at the wound, though I haven't seen them try yet.

I had to deal with a sizeable pecking wound on a meat chicken in the past so I know to clean it with diluted hydrogen peroxide and then water since unfortunately I dont have any iodine left. I have neosporin I can use but I was wondering if "liquid bandage" or "liquid skin" would be a good option to close the wound and prevent pecking? Or should I clean it, apply neosporin and segregate her? Or clean it, apply neosporin and observe for signs of pecking? Pic of wound attached and pic of liquid skin I have. This came from my first aid kit.

 

[azygous]

Comb wounds appear worse than they are. You've done well, and really, no more is necessary.

Blu-kote, containing gentian violet, is useful as a wound treatment for tiny wounds as it will protect against bacteria while staining the wound purple, causing chickens not to notice the wound. If the wound gets pecked, you might try the Blu-kote. Apply with a Q-tip unless you don't mind a purple chicken and getting it all over you if the chicken shakes her head, which chickens do when they feel wetness on their combs.

 

[Katanahamon]

I didnt see what happened but I surmised from the kids, my 7 year old was swinging around a butterfly net "trying to catch butterflies" aka being silly bc there a no butterflies to be seen today. She somehow clipped Buttercup, our Speckled Sussex pullet who was happily minding her own business free ranging. It's not terribly bad but she is bleeding a bit and maybe missing a tiny piece of comb. I'm worried about the other pullets trying to peck at the wound, though I haven't seen them try yet.

I had to deal with a sizeable pecking wound on a meat chicken in the past so I know to clean it with diluted hydrogen peroxide and then water since unfortunately I dont have any iodine left. I have neosporin I can use but I was wondering if "liquid bandage" or "liquid skin" would be a good option to close the wound and prevent pecking? Or should I clean it, apply neosporin and segregate her? Or clean it, apply neosporin and observe for signs of pecking? Pic of wound attached and pic of liquid skin I have. This came from my first aid kit.

I’d recommend the Vetericyn products, they don’t sting. Also, they have pressurized cans of sterile saline in the first aid section of the grocery stores, those are good for ppl too to have in your Arsenal. Chicken Chick online hates Blu Kote because it stings and she goes on rants about it..I don’t have any experience with it, but opted to get Vetericyn..there are a couple ones, you can get the pro Vet version online now too..

 

[KristinJ8307]

Comb wounds appear worse than they are. You've done well, and really, no more is necessary.

Blu-kote, containing gentian violet, is useful as a wound treatment for tiny wounds as it will protect against bacteria while staining the wound purple, causing chickens not to notice the wound. If the wound gets pecked, you might try the Blu-kote. Apply with a Q-tip unless you don't mind a purple chicken and getting it all over you if the chicken shakes her head, which chickens do when they feel wetness on their combs.

Thank you for your response. I believe the local tractor supply carries Blu-kote I will have to get some, if not for this incident Im sure we will need it in the future. Re-reading my post I realize its a bit "run-on"ish but I havent actually done anything yet lol! I was asking which of the 3 ideas I should do or a 4th option I didnt think of. Option 1: clean and use the liquid skin, return to flock Option 2: Clean, apply neosporin and segregate her from the flock or Option 3: clean, apply neosporin and return to flock whilst monitoring for pecking.

The flock only consists of 2 other Buff Plymouth Rock pullets so its not a lot of other birds but when I did have the issue with the meat chicken in the past, one of the buffs was an incessant pecker.

I read they can go into a frenzy from the taste of blood and being on her comb near her face and eyes worries me a lot for the possibility of pecking creating a much bigger problem!!

 

[KristinJ8307]

I’d recommend the Vetericyn products, they don’t sting. Also, they have pressurized cans of sterile saline in the first aid section of the grocery stores, those are good for ppl too to have in your Arsenal. Chicken Chick online hates Blu Kote because it stings and she goes on rants about it..I don’t have any experience with it, but opted to get Vetericyn..there are a couple ones, you can get the pro Vet version online now too..

The local Tractor Supply carries these, Ive seen them there before. Ill pick some up today, I need to go get some grit anyhow. I can use these instead of dilute peroxide correct? The dilute peroxide probably stings a bit too!

 

[Katanahamon]

The local Tractor Supply carries these, Ive seen them there before. Ill pick some up today, I need to go get some grit anyhow. I can use these instead of dilute peroxide correct? The dilute peroxide probably stings a bit too!

Yes! Don’t use peroxide..ever! Even for ppl! They’ve discovered it kills tissue trying to heal..and I have personal experience that corroborates this..! Plain soap and water is better than peroxide..

 

[azygous]

You don't really need to treat such a tiny comb wound. Combs get a lot of action and get injured often. It's where chickens grab when they have an argument and wish to make a point. I've even had combs get ripped partially off, and I just stick it back in place with a little Neosporin and it reattaches in a day.

 

[KristinJ8307]

You don't really need to treat such a tiny comb wound. Combs get a lot of action and get injured often. It's where chickens grab when they have an argument and wish to make a point. I've even had combs get ripped partially off, and I just stick it back in place with a little Neosporin and it reattaches in a day.

Wow!! Really?? That makes me feel so muvh better!! Obviously you can tell this is my first time owning chickens! I was most worried about the possiblity of pecking due to presence of blood. Is it not true that blood drives them into a frenzy?

 

[azygous]

Anything red and shiny and wet excites a chicken because they are partial to raw meat. And the taste of blood can become habit forming. But a little wound here and there is not going to turn your flock into a pack of flesh eating cannibals. That, thankfully, rarely happens.

At worst, a wound can be made worse by curious pecking and investigation. Immediate attention to all wounds, large and small is advisable. Comb and toe wounds produce the most blood, and that makes it seem that they are more serious than they are.

Recently, my younger rooster stubbed his toe and tore the tissue away from the nail. So much blood, you'd think he lost his whole foot. I applied direct pressure for a couple minutes, got the bleeding stopped, sprayed Vetericyn on it, and turned him loose. He was displaying signs of pain an hour later so I gave him an 81 grain aspirin. He was fine and the wound never bled again and he was all over any pain in two days.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Comb injuries like this are never actually as bad as they look. Just wipe the blood and leave it alone. You can spray some neosporin on it (without pain killer) but it's not necessary.