Yikes! Large wound on hen.

[FlyingNunFarm]

She seems to have suddenly gone off the charts with healing speed! I'm so proud of my girl and how far she has come. Her wound is stuck down around the edge and all that is left is that quarter size red spot. She's even growing feathers.
I took her bandage off yesterday and left her wound to dry. She is still wearing her stockinette and saddle. Her scab peeled off today but it was so dry it flaked off. So I VCOed the whole area to keep it soft and stretchy. No sugar though. Her scab had peeled off before but I think it needed to so her wound would continue to shrink. I was always so worried when it did but now I think it was a nessasary part of the healing.

 

[rebrascora]

Wow! She really has had a sudden healing spurt. Definitely on the home stretch now Well done to both you and her! I know you have put a tremendous amount of effort into dressing and healing that wound over the past couple of weeks but it certainly has paid off. Many thanks for documenting it and including photos.

 

[mustangrooster]

You've done excellent with her

Id like to say that a month or so ago, one of my small mixed breeds had the same problem, expect the wound was as big as a 5 dollar note across her side. I washed the wound out every day, clipped feathers away from the wound, and she had extensive care for weeks. It was the result of one of my bigger roos who got a- hold of her...she did not handle the big claws and spurs..

She is now healed and doing great! So your girl will make it...

-Mustang

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

You've done excellent with her

Id like to say that a month or so ago, one of my small mixed breeds had the same problem, expect the wound was as big as a 5 dollar note across her side. I washed the wound out every day, clipped feathers away from the wound, and she had extensive care for weeks. It was the result of one of my bigger roos who got a- hold of her...she did not handle the big claws and spurs..

She is now healed and doing great! So your girl will make it...

-Mustang

So glad to hear your girl got through her ordeal.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

ALL HEALED! Her wound is officially closed.
I'd like to keep the saddle on her to protect the new skin. Does anyone think that will be a problem with winter weather?
I know they get accustomed to the weather but they poof out their feathers for extra warmth. A saddle will not allow a full poof. She was without it today. I had to remove it last night. For some reason half the flock thought getting soaked in the rain was a good idea. Her saddle was so wet I was afraid it was going to freeze. My only thought was to whip up another so I could change wet for dry if needed...
Thoughts?

 

[mamatink7]

Looks so wonderful now!! Good job with her I'd keep the saddle on her for a bit as well, how's her feather growth doing?
Our BA are looking beautiful again as well. That VETERICYN worked miracles for ours. Started healing within days.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Her feathers are growing in pretty good. That pink area is all new skin, no feathers there. Yet. Hopefully she will get them back. I will have to make a second saddle for her. I couldn't believe how soaked it was Tuesday. Goofy birds staying out in the rain. I'm trying to come up with a way to clean her feathers that have sugar stuck in them. I know a warm water wash will work but then she's all wet. Then blow dry? Ha Ha Ha

 

[mobius]

This is like a miracle! Still curious about the stockinette you fashioned, any more description? Like nylon hose and how did it go over her?
I would want to take the same exquisite care of my hen if injured as you did with yours! Thank you for all the great info and updates.

A lot of folks blow dry their chickens after preparing them to show by bathing. They reportedly just love it!

How is she doing? New feathers?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

This is like a miracle! Still curious about the stockinette you fashioned, any more description? Like nylon hose and how did it go over her?
I would want to take the same exquisite care of my hen if injured as you did with yours! Thank you for all the great info and updates.

A lot of folks blow dry their chickens after preparing them to show by bathing. They reportedly just love it!

How is she doing? New feathers?

Stockinette is a stretchy knit fabric tube used in the medical industry. In Ohio it's gotten harder to find. Most medical supply stores carry it. I buy it at Discount Drug Mart. It's sold by the yard. I got mine for under $1 a yard. A quick search on Amazon gives plenty of options.

She was not happy to have the stockinette put on. Luckily I could leave it on her and still check her wound. I honestly took a guess on how long I would need and cut it. It does fray a little and unravel a bit because it is knit but not bad. I again guessed about 2" from what will be the neck and cut two slits for her wings maybe 3" apart. It depends on the size of the hen. Then is the hard part...getting it over her. Ha Ha I bunched it up so it's all in my hands and pulled it over her head. At first her wings are trapped so she can't balance herself. That's the worst part for her. Then I pulled her wings through the slits I made. To keep it from riding up I also cut slits for her legs. For her legs I made more of a T or + cut for better movement. At first when I was treating her she wasn't so happy about being handled. I would wrap her front end loosely with an ace bandage to pin her wings and lay her on her side. She got much more trusting and I could lay her down without having to wrap her up. The stockinette is streatchy enough I could put my hand under to smooth her feathers and it would go back into shape. When it got too dirty or unraveled I just cut it off and put on a new piece.

She is getting new feathers! And the wound seems to still be shrinking. I'll get a picture today and post it. She hasn't needed treatment in 2 weeks or so. I've kept her saddle on to protect it but I think she won't need that soon either.

Sorry for such a long response. I try to be thorough and detailed.

 

[mobius]

PLEASE do not apologize, this is exactly what I was wondering and now thanks to your great description, I know! Good and inventive call to keep bandage in place, and keep wound clean and and and!

So glad she is better and new feathers! Another plus! That could have not happened, but it is! Pics welcome, I would love to see, when you get the chance.

Stockinette may find a place to live in my chicken first aid kit, bet it would work for small dogs too!