Wound care

[VaultGirl27]

My sweet Ethel was attacked by my two older hens. I've isolated her inside, cleaned the wound wth betadine, and sprayed it with Vetricyn. She's eating and drinking and seems ok. Should I be doing anything else? I also bought hen healer but haven't used it yet. Should I pluck the broken feathers or leave them for now?

 

[getaclue]

Unless they begin bleeding, and they don't appear to be, leave the broken feathers. Keep doing what you're doing. It should heal nicely.

 

[ValerieJ]

I agree with @getaclue. You are doing the right things. She'll be fine. When the time comes to reintegrate her with the flock, be sure to spray BluKote on her featherless skin because it will be red and that will invite more pecking.

 

[VaultGirl27]

Thank you both. I've read conflicting opinions about Blukote, so I have been hesitant about using it. I've heard it can inhibit healing, but I guess if the skin is healed, it should be fine?

 

[ValerieJ]

Thank you both. I've read conflicting opinions about Blukote, so I have been hesitant about using it. I've heard it can inhibit healing, but I guess if the skin is healed, it should be fine?

My first year of raising chickens I had one chicken get completely scalped by aggressive pullets. I really didn't know what to do, and can't remember where I got the advice, but I brought her in, cleaned it and ONLY put on Blu-Kote. She healed very quickly. I was amazed. But, that wasn't what I was suggesting to you. I was suggesting you use it to disguise the red skin that will be showing until she gets feathers in that spot again. My pullet didn't get feathers for several months until she molted, so keeping Blu-Kote on her kept her safe.

 

[VaultGirl27]

My first year of raising chickens I had one chicken get completely scalped by aggressive pullets. I really didn't know what to do, and can't remember where I got the advice, but I brought her in, cleaned it and ONLY put on Blu-Kote. She healed very quickly. I was amazed. But, that wasn't what I was suggesting to you. I was suggesting you use it to disguise the red skin that will be showing until she gets feathers in that spot again. My pullet didn't get feathers for several months until she molted, so keeping Blu-Kote on her kept her safe.

Gotcha. Will do. Should I be concerned that the injured chicken is having white runny poop?

 

[ValerieJ]

Gotcha. Will do. Should I be concerned that the injured chicken is having white runny poop?

Yes, probably, but I don't have any experience with that. Hopefully someone else will come in and help with that. If not, start a new thread just about the runny white poop. I don't think it's related to the injury, but maybe it is just from stress. I just don't know.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Gotcha. Will do. Should I be concerned that the injured chicken is having white runny poop?

Can you post some photos?

 

[VaultGirl27]

Can you post some photos?

I will next time she poops. I cleaned it off her already.

 

[VaultGirl27]

This is the chicken in question. Not Ethel, but another chicken who I realized had alsobeen pecked, but not as severely. However, this girl is pooping white, but also normal poops mixed in.