Unknown injuries

[dylanwitt]

Hello everyone I'm new to this site and had a question for you guys! I have 6 black sex-link hens and they've been laying for awhile now. But just yesterday I noticed one of the girls seems to have a very large and nasty looking wound by her tail end. I'm attaching a photo here, does anybody have any ideas as to what could be the issue or what I should do? I've noticed 2 other hens are starting to get it but not as bad yet.

 

[sannabelle]

I'm having a hard time telling by the pictures, but could it be fly stryke? Are your other hens getting it in the same spot?

 

[sourland]

Do you have a rooster ? It almost looks like rooster damage from toenails or spurs while breeding.

 

[dylanwitt]

I'm having a hard time telling by the pictures, but could it be fly stryke? Are your other hens getting it in the same spot?

Yeah the other ones have it in the same area, I can try and get a better picture!

 

[dylanwitt]

Do you have a rooster ? It almost looks like rooster damage from toenails or spurs while breeding.

I do not have a rooster actually

 

[sannabelle]

I don't know if they would all get flystryke in the same spot...hmm...is it open/bleeding?

 

[dylanwitt]

I'm having a hard time telling by the pictures, but could it be fly stryke? Are your other hens getting it in the same spot?

I don't know if they would all get flystryke in the same spot...hmm...is it open/bleeding?

its not bleeding but it appears to be somewhat open, also looked like there was puss too

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with @sannabelle it looks like Flystrike. It's a bit unusual for more than one to have it at the same time.

Have you noticed them fighting one another or plucking each others feathers? How much space do they have?

Do they free range where a predator could have snatched them by the rear end?
Where exactly are the wounds located? Next to the vent?

Also, the white that is one them - is that an ointment that has been applied or is that just the way you found them?

This looks like a fairly deep wound, look for any maggots that may be in or around the wound. Pus and odors would indicate infection. Vet care would be best if at all possible.
You can try soaking/rinse flush with chlorhexdine or betadine and debride the wound to see how much damage there is, I am inclined to think that it may have invaded the body cavity, but there's no way to know. Remove as much pus/infection that you can and any maggots that may be in there. Apply triple antibiotic ointment or vetericyn to the wound. Do your best to keep any flies off or out of the wound.

 

[dylanwitt]

I agree with @sannabelle it looks like Flystrike. It's a bit unusual for more than one to have it at the same time.

Have you noticed them fighting one another or plucking each others feathers? How much space do they have?

Do they free range where a predator could have snatched them by the rear end?
Where exactly are the wounds located? Next to the vent?

Also, the white that is one them - is that an ointment that has been applied or is that just the way you found them?

This looks like a fairly deep wound, look for any maggots that may be in or around the wound. Pus and odors would indicate infection. Vet care would be best if at all possible.
You can try soaking/rinse flush with chlorhexdine or betadine and debride the wound to see how much damage there is, I am inclined to think that it may have invaded the body cavity, but there's no way to know. Remove as much pus/infection that you can and any maggots that may be in there. Apply triple antibiotic ointment or vetericyn to the wound. Do your best to keep any flies off or out of the wound.

View attachment 1144176

Yeah the white is from an ointment I applied. They have a 27 foot long by 9 foot wide run plus an indoor area for them to roost and lay. And the ones seem to pick on the others that have the wounds, I don't free range my birds

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The wounds developed from something, so observe them to see who the offender may be. Flystrike can start with just a very small cut/wound like you would see from feather picking or it can be from irritated skin that has accumulated poop. Sometimes hens seem to get a long well during the day, but they can pick/pluck mercilessly during roosting, so watch and listen when they are settling in at night.

Hopefully you will be able to get the wounds healed and taken care of - infection can set in quickly so if you have a vet that can take a look and prescribe some antibiotics that would be best.