Shetland lover
Free Ranging
When we had our Swedish Flower roo, Leo, Gladys ripped half of a wattle off. He was annoying her. I've never seen so much blood! After a good clean up and dusting with antibiotic powder he was right as rain!First Ever Chicken Medical Emergency!
I was spending some time sitting outside the run watching the birds this evening and saw that one of the pullet's beaks was red. Looking closer, saw it was blood dripping down from the comb.
I watched for a while to see if it would stop and maybe clear up, but it didn't. And then some of the others saw it and started pecking at the injury. Not good.
I went into the run and quickly grabbed the injured bird. I surprised myself being able to subdue it like that! Carried it into the house, smeared some triple-antibiotic ointment all over the injury and comb.
Luckily the nice coop I built is unoccupied, so I got her set up with food, water and grit. Plus I dumped in a wheel barrow load of fresh semi-composted woodchips for her to scratch around in and walk on, since that's what she's used to.
I'll leave her segregated for however long it takes to heal completely. Should probably smear on more ointment every day for the next few days.
She can still see and talk to the other birds through a mesh wall, so she won't get too lonely. And now she has the highest roost spot of all, so I guess that'll make her feel a little better. LOL
I just wonder how the injury happened? It's like the comb ripped right where it starts on the back of the head. Maybe another chicken pecked her there? Guess I'll never know. I'm just glad I was out there when I was. She might have gotten ganged up on if I wasn't.
It was probably something similar with your girl. Could be an inexperienced roo has grabbed the comb while attempting to mate?
You might find some of your pullet's comb dries up and falls off at the injury site if the edges aren't held together but it should heal fine. She might just end up with a slightly wonky comb.