what do I do for an open wound?????

[broodof3]

The neighbor hadn't replace the batteries in his datsun's shock collar, so today while I was out running errands the dog dug under his fence and into the chicken yard. He killed my Buff Orpington and mauled three other hens. Most injuries are on their rear ends, and they seem very traumatized. However, my cochin has a good 1" gash on her leg and you can see muscle and tendons within. What do I do for her? I took all three hens and wiped their wounds with a clean cloth and put Neosporin on them, but I am very concerned about the cochin. Help. I am a newbie to raising chickens, and I am surprised about how upset I am over my girls. I just feel awful for them, and they were once so beautiful, but now they just look terrible. I would appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer. Thank you so much!

 

[Fudgie]

First off do you have pictures....

Second, I had a hen that had the same thing happen, only it just cut the skin, Is yours like that if so, sew the skin up with cotton thread and a needle. It did not seem to hurt my girl at all..

But she healed nicely and you cannot even tell. If it is deep well I cannot help you on that one! Just peroxide it and keep it clean and quarrantine her so the others(if any

cannot hurt her more)

third call the animal control on the dog! if it has to have a shock collar to stay home that is HORRIBLE!!!

 

[nnbreeder]

Chickens are very tough animals. just keep the wound clean and dry and it will heal fine. You can use Peroxide for the initial cleaning but don't use it during the course of treatment as it also destroys new flesh coming in. betadine soap is a better choice for cleaning.

The wound will scab over and be the grossest, nastiest looking thing that you've ever seen but unless you can see discolored flesh around the wound or it smells bad do nothing and let nature take it's course. Keep a close watch for infection and the general condition of the bird but otherwise she should heal fine.