Wound care

[Rockysmama]

I have a 2 y.o Buff that somehow got an open wound on "shoulder". I brought her in the basement last evening and washed wound then and again tonight w/ warm h2o w/ iodine in it, then covered w/ Neosporine. There is dark colored dried blood and I don't want to pick at it, so I just keep holding wet towels on it. At what point is it safe to let her go back with other hens? We have no roos, so not sure how this happened. She is acting fine, eats wells, drinks, squwaks, and I think would be much happier to go back to her girlfriends.
Thanks.
Michigan Urban Chick

 

[blue fire]

I don't know when would be a good time to put her out due to the possibility of picking...

 

[journey11]

I had a BA pullet that got torn up by a dog and had several deep lacerations on her back (and no feathers there). It always amazes me how well they are able to heal up from something like that. You did well cleaning it and putting the iodine,etc on there. Just keep her confined in a quiet, dark place until it heals, about 2-4 weeks depending on how bad a spot it is. Don't send her back too early because they will likely pick on her. They seem to know when something's out of sorts anyway! I'd let it heal entirely and let the feathers grow back to cover it up. I let my girl out to range with the others during the day for about a week to get used to each other again, then put her back in after that.