Wing torn off

[SWMangrybird]

Hello everyone, first time posting here and just recently joined after finding some much needed encouraging info after our first experience with predators. We had six hens (12 weeks old) to start with, but now we are down to four, one of which is missing its entire left wing.

The first night, a single hen was taken and the remains were found behind their run (former dog kennel 15x15) partially eaten. The following morning, we were missing another hen. I was so consumed with searching for the missing bird that I didn't even realize the injured bird was missing its wing until I returned home from work Weds evening. By the time I discovered the missing wing, more than 12 hours had elapsed since the attack. I brought the bird inside, segregated it from the remaining 3 and cleaned off its wounds with a 50/50 solution of water and iodine. I tried applying Neosporin along with a gauze and wrap like someone else had done on a different thread, (she called it a t-shirt even) but she refused. She just picks at it until it falls off. So far, I've just been cleaning her wounds every 24 hours or so with the iodine/ water solution and applying the neo on her wounds. I tried the bandana wrap over gauze again but no luck. Is there anything I should do to help her with regards to the wound??? Should I try to clean it even more, getting all the grit off? I will try to post images tomorrow. The wing is broken right up to the body and I can see a section of exposed bone and small piece of flesh that is kind of hanging there. Should I trim this off?? I don't want to cause her anymore undue pains. She isn't bleeding or oozing and she seems to be acting pretty normal. She has always been a bit skittish of people but it does seem as though she is getting used to the necessary handling. I wish she would just stop laying on that side so the wound would have a chance to breathe. She is eating and drinking and output thus far seems robust. I should take a moment to point out that this bird was a bit handicapped to begin with. Her right middle toe is crooked and she has always had this constant shake to her ever since she was small. I'm not sure how that would affect her of course. Any advice regarding the treatment of her wound is welcome. As of now, I keep the injured bird inside while I let the other 3 out during the day and bring them in at night until I can build them a new coop that is more secure. That and after I've successfully captured said predator and it has made its way onto my dinner plate.

 

[Judy]

It sounds like you're already doing a good job with her, since she is eating and drinking. Dressings are usually a lost cause with chickens. It was very good to bring her inside, to avoid flies laying eggs in the wound and growing maggots. Yes, I'd try to get the rest of the dirt out of the wound, though. Once you do that, just daily Neosporin should be enough. You may have to trim off a bit of dead tissue at some point. You'll be able to tell as it will get black. I'd also make that water/iodine solution a lot weaker, because while it is a good disinfectant, it also kills off new cells. Once the wound is clean, your daily cleanings can be just mild soap and water, or even saline, which you can make yourself. A quick Google search will give you several resources for this; it's just salt and water.

Chickens heal remarkably well. Her eating and drinking is a great sign. Best of luck to both of you!

 

[SWMangrybird]

Well, she lasted almost a month, but she didn't make it. As I said in the original post, she was handicapped to start with and I think that crooked toe finally did her in. After three weeks or so of being cooped up inside the garage, I decided to let her out to our fenced in garden to rejoin the others. The first couple of days was only a few hours at a time. Then I finally left her out all day, the final day. The lack of exercise wasn't helping her inability to stand up once she fell over. It didn't appear as though she sustained any additional injuries, from predators or the others. I suspect she just got really worked up and it was over with. I don't think waiting any longer duration before letting her out would've mattered either way. So, for now, our flock is down to just a lonely pair.