Wounds under wings

[Disheygirl]

My Brahma pullet was sitting on the floor of the coop today with her BFF, which she never does - she’s always with the flock. I examined her and found two wounds - one on each side under her wing. They don’t look horrible, but they are warm and she’s acting a little off. First time chicken owner!

1. Do I soak them / use a betadine water (we have reverse osmosis so it’s gentle) or something else? Or what’s the best way to clean the sand (coop sand) and any dried puss? Bathtub or other?
2. Then neosporin? Or something else?
3. Antibiotic since the spots are warm? I have fish mox, metronidazole, tylosin, ACS. Guessing if anything, fish mox?

Didn‘t see mites, her vent is normal, she’s eating and drinking and pooping fine. No attacks of any kind and should I bring her inside? The LAST thing I want to touch is maggots from a fly strike.

 

[Shezadandy]

To me it looks like she's growing new feathers- "blood" feathers and someone came along and yanked one out- which chickens will do because they loooove blood. Yes, clean it up with betadine. They don't look infected, just like it's building a scab, but I'm working off a picture.

I would clean it up and what I've been using in these situations is NuSkin which is the stuff you paint on like fingernail polish once the wound is clean and dried. If you put it on a nice clean wound and blow on it until it dries, that should be all that's needed. Something gooey like neosporin, because it's under the wings, will just get the feathers gunky, thereby attracting more dirt and other nasties. Once the Nuskin is dry, it's like a bandaid and - knock on wood- it seems to keep the offenders from coming back. Also ... they LOVE scabs, those are like yummy blood cookies.

Do check your other girls who are feathering for missing tail feathers and the like, a favorite blood-depot for the hens who have figured out that pulling blood feathers makes a nice treat and an on-demand fresh blood drink fountain!!! and treat the same way - clean with betadine, dry the wound, paint over the whole thing (or feather nub) with Nuskin. Just make sure they're out in good air-circulation- the Nuskin does have a smell (which is part of the deterrent).

 

[Disheygirl]

To me it looks like she's growing new feathers- "blood" feathers and someone came along and yanked one out- which chickens will do because they loooove blood. Yes, clean it up with betadine. They don't look infected, just like it's building a scab, but I'm working off a picture.

I would clean it up and what I've been using in these situations is NuSkin which is the stuff you paint on like fingernail polish once the wound is clean and dried. If you put it on a nice clean wound and blow on it until it dries, that should be all that's needed. Something gooey like neosporin, because it's under the wings, will just get the feathers gunky, thereby attracting more dirt and other nasties. Once the Nuskin is dry, it's like a bandaid and - knock on wood- it seems to keep the offenders from coming back. Also ... they LOVE scabs, those are like yummy blood cookies.

Do check your other girls who are feathering for missing tail feathers and the like, a favorite blood-depot for the hens who have figured out that pulling blood feathers makes a nice treat and an on-demand fresh blood drink fountain!!! and treat the same way - clean with betadine, dry the wound, paint over the whole thing (or feather nub) with Nuskin. Just make sure they're out in good air-circulation- the Nuskin does have a smell (which is part of the deterrent).

They’re vampires! Ok, seriously, I didn’t know that chickens like blood...that’s ...yuck. I have nutri-vet...it’s a liquid bandage that sprays on. I’ll make sure it’s ok for chickens. Thank you!!!

 

[Shezadandy]

They’re vampires! Ok, seriously, I didn’t know that chickens like blood...that’s ...yuck. I have nutri-vet...it’s a liquid bandage that sprays on. I’ll make sure it’s ok for chickens. Thank you!!!

Yes, they are totally little vampires! Scabs are their delightful blood cookies and nothing is better than the fresh stuff. It's probably instinct in managing what happens if a flock member gets seriously injured in the wild ... can't have a bleeding injured bird drawing in other predators... so they evolved to take matters into their own beaks. This isn't to say that every small bleeding thing will cause a big problem, but the propensity is there. =) I used to spray with Vetricyn after cleaning up after a blood feather - then one day I thought about the NuSkin and had it sitting there so went for it - first time I haven't had to remove that bird from the flock while she recovers. Blukote does nothing to deter blood snacking behavior ... vetricyn, miracle in a bottle and my first go-to for treating problems - doesn't deter the blood seekers either.

 

[Disheygirl]

I think I have the culprit. My Easter egger was following my Brahma around today, intentionally pecking those two spots. Whether or not she started the problem, who knows. But she definitely isn’t helping. They have a lot of space - much more than the 10 square feet per bird rule, and I just opened up a new grass pasture run for them too. Little brat...I read that chickens won’t bother something if it’s blue. Maybe blue kote time?

 

[Shezadandy]

Oh the little stinker!!! If she's the only one doing it, you could put your EE in time out while the Brahma heals in those two spots.

If there's enough fresh blood, I've watched chickens drink the bluekote right along with the blood, so personally- I don't consider it to be a deterrent. I've had really good luck with the Nuskin ... sorry!!! NEW SKIN !!! (https://www.amazon.com/New-Skin-Liq...hild=1&keywords=nuskin&qid=1629322379&sr=8-18) which I tried on a whim after getting tired of having to isolate whoever got their feathers pulled. I wouldn't put it on a chick/en in a contained air space like a brooder, but if they're outside its fine.

I think I have the culprit. My Easter egger was following my Brahma around today, intentionally pecking those two spots. Whether or not she started the problem, who knows. But she definitely isn’t helping. They have a lot of space - much more than the 10 square feet per bird rule, and I just opened up a new grass pasture run for them too. Little brat...I read that chickens won’t bother something if it’s blue. Maybe blue kote time