Wound on back of head

[LavenderMotherHen]

One of my chicks has a wound on the back of her head. It’s been there about a week, but it doesn’t look serious or anything. It’s scabbed up and healing, but when I looked at it today it looks a tiny bit worse. Like it’s been picked at. I just worry about the others pecking at it- is there anything I can put on it to make it look less appealing to peck at? I’d like to keep them together as much as possible. I haven’t actually noticed them doing it, but I wonder when it’s taking longer to heal up completely.... I should add that all 3 seem happy and healthy, running around and practicing flapping their wings. They are 1.5 weeks old.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You could try Pick-no-more (which tastes bitter) or Blu-kote (which is a blue dye to help mask the color of blood and has some antiseptic qualities too I think).

 

[LavenderMotherHen]

You could try Pick-no-more (which tastes bitter) or Blu-kote (which is a blue dye to help mask the color of blood and has some antiseptic qualities too I think).

I will look into those! Thank you!

 

[Banana01]

Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and will prevent infection. Clean the wound of all dirt with a toothbrush and water if necessary, then apply the oil once or twice a day with a small dab from a toothpick or something. It absorbs into the scab and you'll see a nice improvement almost immediately. If you let it get infected those can become bad wounds. I had a bb get infected and wish I would have done the coconut oil first. After the wound became 5x the size, the oil still helped her heal.

We use blu kote on dogs wounds, and it is antisceptic, but I didn't ever think to try it on chickens but I don't like the idea as much as the oil.

 

[LavenderMotherHen]

Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and will prevent infection. Clean the wound of all dirt with a toothbrush and water if necessary, then apply the oil once or twice a day with a small dab from a toothpick or something. It absorbs into the scab and you'll see a nice improvement almost immediately. If you let it get infected those can become bad wounds. I had a bb get infected and wish I would have done the coconut oil first. After the wound became 5x the size, the oil still helped her heal.

We use blu kote on dogs wounds, and it is antisceptic, but I didn't ever think to try it on chickens but I don't like the idea as much as the oil.

Wonderful! I have some of that in the cupboard.

 

[LavenderMotherHen]

So it’s looking less like the other chicks are pecking at it, and more like she is scratching it like crazy. What should I do? I’ve separated them in the brooder but that doesn’t protect her from herself

 

[Banana01]

Maybe post a picture of the wound? If the scab isn't ready, keep it clean twice a day. Her scratching at it could mean it is healed, or still healing.

The scab will come off when it's ready, or you can try to pry it off with a toothpick gently. When healed, the skin underneath will be smooth and look better and the scab will sort of painlessly peel off when you pry the edges with a toothpick or wooden skewer type instrument. A picture would help determine.

 

[LavenderMotherHen]

Maybe post a picture of the wound? If the scab isn't ready, keep it clean twice a day. Her scratching at it could mean it is healed, or still healing.

The scab will come off when it's ready, or you can try to pry it off with a toothpick gently. When healed, the skin underneath will be smooth and look better and the scab will sort of painlessly peel off when you pry the edges with a toothpick or wooden skewer type instrument. A picture would help determine.

It started out as a bald patch- like she rubbed the fuzz off- and it’s progressed to this. It looked better this morning, but once she was up and scratched it- it started to get irritated looking again.

 

[Banana01]

When my chick had a wound, she would scratch at it too, and by the end of the day, the wound was covered in dirt. I cleaned it at night and applied coconut oil. In a way being covered in dirt protected the wound. Your chick is different.

Instead of dirt, an antibiotic may be recommemded at this point. Unfortunately I can't say one way or another. I do still think cocnut oil will help you. Definitely need to keep an eye on the wound for changes.

Hopefully you can get more input.

Here was my chick who had multiple health issues. This wound was infected. She has fully recovered. When I read on BYC to use coconut oil, the wound immediately turned for the better in a few days.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd go with an antibiotic then. Neosporin without pain relief is fine for use on chickens, I also like having Vetricyn spray (pet stores carry it for dog/cats) on hand since it's easy to use to clean up the area first.