Two injured chickens

[Gretchen_girl]

I went to the coop today to find two injured chickens as a result of pecking. One likely will not make it. They tore all of the feathers off her bottom and back - and she is down to muscle. The other has all tail and bottom feathers gone. I only have 9 girls that have been together for 4 years and they have a 40x40 pen to forage in. I have seen no sign of aggression until this morning. My question is - how do I treat their injuries? I’ve isolated them from the others. Do I simply wash the blood off the one the I expect to live and keep her isolated until her wounds heal? I know that I should put the other out of her misery - but I don’t think I can do it…..

 

[nuthatched]

Rinse with saline or warm water, apply neosporin. She should be fine.

 

[alinas2010]

I went to the coop today to find two injured chickens as a result of pecking. One likely will not make it. They tore all of the feathers off her bottom and back - and she is down to muscle. The other has all tail and bottom feathers gone. I only have 9 girls that have been together for 4 years and they have a 40x40 pen to forage in. I have seen no sign of aggression until this morning. My question is - how do I treat their injuries? I’ve isolated them from the others. Do I simply wash the blood off the one the I expect to live and keep her isolated until her wounds heal? I know that I should put the other out of her misery - but I don’t think I can do it…..

Can you post pictures of the injuries? There may be hope.

Work quickly to treat for shock first. Shock will kill faster than wounds most times. Move them both somewhere warm, dim and quiet. Consider keeping the more injured one separated from the other for now if you cannot monitor and ensure the stronger one won’t peck at her injuries. Get them some electrolytes mixed with sugar water - something like Gatorade or pedialyte would work. Room temp, not cold. Dip the beak in to get them interested or drip some onto the outter edge of the beak. You can google homemade recipes for electrolyte solutions too.

After you can get them stabilized work on the injuries. Rinse with something like saline, then spray with a wound spray like Vetericyn and slather with a triple antibiotic ointment - like neosporin without pain relief. Do this twice per day until healed. Keep the wounds moist with ointment at all times, though, if the ointment wears off. Don’t return to the flock until healed.

Consider keeping them both separated together until you can reintegrate both together at the same time so it is easier. Integrating a lone hen is difficult and sad.

 

[Gretchen_girl]

Can you post pictures of the injuries? There may be hope.

Work quickly to treat for shock first. Shock will kill faster than wounds most times. Move them both somewhere warm, dim and quiet. Consider keeping the more injured one separated from the other for now if you cannot monitor and ensure the stronger one won’t peck at her injuries. Get them some electrolytes mixed with sugar water - something like Gatorade or pedialyte would work. Room temp, not cold. Dip the beak in to get them interested or drip some onto the outter edge of the beak. You can google homemade recipes for electrolyte solutions too.

After you can get them stabilized work on the injuries. Rinse with something like saline, then spray with a wound spray like Vetericyn and slather with a triple antibiotic ointment - like neosporin without pain relief. Do this twice per day until healed. Keep the wounds moist with ointment at all times, though, if the ointment wears off. Don’t return to the flock until healed.

Consider keeping them both separated together until you can reintegrate both together at the same time so it is easier. Integrating a lone hen is difficult and sad.

My son put the one out of her misery. She was injured way too bad. This one is way worse than I thought also. She is eating and drinking good. She gets up on the roost board in have in the cage. She actually laid an egg yesterday. She is isolated from all others. Do you think I can save her?

 

[alinas2010]

My son put the one out of her misery. She was injured way too bad. This one is way worse than I thought also. She is eating and drinking good. She gets up on the roost board in have in the cage. She actually laid an egg yesterday. She is isolated from all others. Do you think I can save her?

I’m sorry for your loss. Yes, I would try if she were mine. Follow the wound care instructions provided. Keep her inside away from flies and dirt, though. She may also benefit from staying warmer inside while injured, depending on your temps. Trim any feathers away from the injury to help keep it clean. Keep that wound moist with ointment at all times after spraying with something like Vetericyn. Keeping the injury covered in ointment will help it feel better for her, too. Good signs she is eating and drinking and laying eggs. Healing could take weeks, but I think the odds are in her favor. Sorry that this happened.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You sure that's the result of pecking? Looks more like what a dog would do, to my eyes.

 

[Gretchen_girl]

I’m sorry for your loss. Yes, I would try if she were mine. Follow the wound care instructions provided. Keep her inside away from flies and dirt, though. She may also benefit from staying warmer inside while injured, depending on your temps. Trim any feathers away from the injury to help keep it clean. Keep that wound moist with ointment at all times after spraying with something like Vetericyn. Keeping the injury covered in ointment will help it feel better for her, too. Good signs she is eating and drinking and laying eggs. Healing could take weeks, but I think the odds are in her favor. Sorry that this happened.

Thank you very much for your help. I will try to find Vetericyn today!!!

 

[alinas2010]

Let me see if there is any other advice warranted because the injury is significant. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you very much for your help. I will try to find Vetericyn today!!!

You’re welcome, I called on some more advice because I don’t want to miss better advice if there is some available for the wound

 

[FergFarm]

Im following this thread too. My hen got attacked by a possum last night. She’s got deep wounds on her back, similar to your picture, but not black in color. She also has a significant gash under each wing. Her leg seems injured too. She’s having a hard time bearing weight on it and wobbling/falling when she tries to walk a few steps.