Wounded hen! Won't eat, huddled, won't drink. Very lethargic. Emergency.

[ladyfeather]

I am trying to get photos of the bird while trying to find a vet that can treat chickens and not-common pets.

She's low hen on the totem pole and we saw signs of pecking and some missing feathers. We kept an eye on her and looked for aggressors so we could break them up.

Unfortunately it escalated quickly after the storms and my illness. I was barely able to get out of bed and so I had counted on my husband to get the animals taken care of at night and make sure everyone was all right.

This morning I saw her huddled outside and not responding to anything. She'd lost more feathers. I was able to approach her and put my hands on her.

She has a huge wound, as large as my palm, that is swollen and thickly scabbed over. It looked like someone got rough with her during the snow storm (they all hid in the covered portion of the run and the coop) and then all of them saw blood and went for it.

I am creating a sick bay in my house with an extra large dog crate, hay, etc.

Is there a chance to save her? Should I euthanize her? I don't want her to suffer.

After this injury we are breaking up the flock and separating them into smaller groups. Its going to break my kids' hearts.


Thank you!

 

[fingbob]

Personally I would check to make sure she doesn't have any broken bones, lather bag balm on her open wound, and get some antibiotics in her water. If she isn't drinking I would get a syringe dispose of the needle and use it to slowly drip the water. When it is about to drip touch her beak. For some reasons they always seem to swallow for me. They won't let it just run out. This will also help to keep her hydrated because I have read that a chicken can die in one day without water.

I hope this helps,
Teresa

 

[ladyfeather]

Thanks for the reply. I got her inside in a dog kennel, put some water in front of her and dipped her beak. I am hoping in the warmth (Its really cold outside right now) she will perk up a bit. I'm getting some vermyctin spray tonight and I plan on washing the wound as soon as I can with warm epsom salt water. The wound is swollen and thickly scabbed. She's just quietly making coo noises and huddled in on herself.

There is a vet over an hour from me but I don't think I can make it tonight. I'm hoping I can get them to call some antibiotics to me and let me see if she pulls through over the weekend.

 

[ladyfeather]

She's been inside for the last 16 hours or so. She's doing nothing but laying down and sleeping. She's always been one of our flighty girls and quick to stay away from us. This morning she barely opens her eyes!

She drank water last night and I offered her some scrambled egg and yogurt. I'm hoping she will eat if I keep encouraging her. The scab looks awful and didn't change with cleaning.

Is she worn out from the cold? Is she too ill and succumbing? She just twists her head to the side and twitches a bit.