Uncle's hen got scalped!

[Nutcase]

Yes, Gatorade has electrolytes designed to help keep human athletes hydrated. Tractor supply sells a product designed for livestock that might be cheaper on the long run. With this kind of head trauma you may start to see neurological signs: head tilt, staggering, blindness and so forth. While there are drugs to help this, most folks don't want to spend that kind of money on a chicken. However, in these cases superb nursing can also do wonders. The best thing to do is keep her warm-the fact she is sitting in her water dish might be an indicator of fever or an attempt to relieve pain: similar to humans applying a cold cloth or ice to reduce body temperature. If you note open mouth breathing make sure she is not too hot.

Remember to keep her as stress free as possible-keep nosy people and animals away from her. In a few days if you feel it is necessary to apply ointment to her scalped area-use something simple-neosporin. I like to use a mixture of _half/half betadine/mineral oil applied with a q-tip to the area-don't have to use much as it will spread on its own. Chickens don't seem to mind this mixture as much as ointment which has a tendency to make them shake their head in an attempt remove the goo.

If at any time she becomes stressed from handling stop everything. Let her be and allow her to recover. Reevaluate the situation and gauge what you think you should do.

Good luck with her! Sometimes these chickens surprise us!

Great post

 

[RunningRabbit]

I rechecked her, and she doesn't appear to have any other injuries. Her activity is a bit under what it was yesterday. Eyes are still open, and she acts like she's foraging, but doesn't really do anything. I made a mix of water and chicken feed ground up real fine and fed it to her via a syringe. She didn't like that very much, but she at least has something in her stomach now. I'm sure if she has any chance to make it through this, getting some food in her is in her best interest. She's still having bowel movements, so that's good right?

I went to Tractor Supply, but they didn't have any of that antibiotic. If she makes it through the next few days, I'll put some neosporin (the kind without pain relief) on her head. I cleaned up some of her face-around her eyes and beak- so nothing inhibits her sense of vision and ability to eat.

According to my husband, she was real active today while I was at work, so hopefully that is a good sign. I'm certainly rooting for the little sweet heart.

My bedroom floor is pretty much covered in ground up chicken feed and uneaten mealworms...I let her have free run (supervised) of my bedroom to see if maybe letting her chill out and be able to walk around and forage would help out any. I'm not going to give up on her, that's for sure! If she doesn't make it through this, then I can at least say I made her last few days comfortable and safe.

 

[Bluebee]

Hope she will be ok!

Bluebee

 

[hennotrooster]

RunningRabbit you are doing a great job she is lucky to have you right now. Have you ever heard of anyone trying aloe vera, fresh from the cactus itself? I used it on my hen when she lost some of her back feathers from molting. She had a sunburn so I applied some in the evening and covered it with some gauze for the night she was fine with it. Not sure if this would be okay on a wound like she has. It is natural and can be soothing. Wish you lots of luck with her.

 

[ChucktheChick]

Your a great chicken mama and you are in my thoughts!!!! Fingers crossed. Keep us updated.

 

[RunningRabbit]

She's eating fine now! She even greeted me when I came into the bedroom. She got spoiled rotten today- meal worms, scrambled eggs and yogurt. Little booger fell asleep on my lap when I was petting her. She's almost acting like her normal self. She still has a long way to go, but if she keeps fighting and I keep doing what I'm doing, I think she has a darn good chance of making it through this.

 

[ChucktheChick]

Oh man I wish I could let my chicken in my bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad she is getting better!!!!!!!!! Chickens are amazing animals.

 

[choptank330]

Hoping all goes well with her.. poor thing. She's lucky she has you to take care of her

 

[theoldchick]

 

[RunningRabbit]

I have an update for you all!

Sweetie Pie has returned to my Uncle's home. Apparently, I have created a monster. My Uncle has renamed her "The Brat" and, and for good reason. She has, according to him, become a spoilt little monster that acts like she owns the place and, consequently, all the other chickens. She has become the top hen and is never shy about letting everyone know!

Nothing like seeing a little, bald banty hen putting a RIR rooster in its place.

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. I'm now confident that if anything happens again like that, I can handle it just fine.