Young Hen bullied and brutally injured, help!

[NewToTheFlocks]

**Graphic Imagery Warning!**
Hello,

Yesterday around 6pm I found out that one of my family’s juvenile birds escaped their side of the enclosure (they are separated from the adult birds by a plastic mesh fence) and was brutally attacked by the hens. She is a Rhode Island White around 2 1/2 months old. All of the flesh and feathers from her head and neck are missing.

Currently, I am spraying her with an iodine-water solution three times daily to keep the injury from being infected, feeding her grower’s feed with water and egg yolks mixed in it, and giving her water with baby aspirin and electrolytes. I am keeping her in my bathtub on some towels with a heater and a low light as I found it was the quietest and most restful place for her to be in. She is chirping, eating, and drinking but looks to be in terrible shape to me. I am trying to decide if the most humane thing is to euthanize her or to try and treat the wounds and hope it scabs over. Would love whatever advice you may have.

 

[NewToTheFlocks]

I just finished treating the wound with Neosporin, some gauze, and then wrapped it with a self-adherent wrap to keep it on.

 

[thehenandchick01234]

Is there any open wounds such as cuts and stuff?

 

[thehenandchick01234]

I don’t know exactly who to ask but I think ChickenWhisperer101 might know

 

[thehenandchick01234]

I don’t know exactly who to ask but I think ChickenWhisperer101 might know

@ChickenWhisperer101

 

[MissE]

As horrible as it looks, from what I can see in the pictures, it doesn't look life threatening. No skull fracture or anything. Main thing is keeping it clean and moist. Non pain relief neosporin is a good choice.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Chickens are very good at healing big wounds. Just keep it clean and dry, and you should be fine.

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

When did this happen ? I had this happen to one of my old Ayam Cemani pullets. Hers was more sever though. Have you noticed any shaking of her head or not walking straight? I would say if you want to try and save her, then spay with veterciyn or the iodine water like you are and keep doing what you are doing. I’m glad to hear she is eating and drinking, as my baby would only drink and it was clear she wasn’t going to eat on her own again. Definitely use Neosporin with NO pain relief. It definitely helped my girl when I had her. As long as she’s eating and drinking on her own and you are keeping her separate with some good care I’m pretty sure she’ll be ok. Good luck and please keep us posted .

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

This was my baby , yours doesn’t look as severe so I’m praying for you that she’ll be ok.

 

[NewToTheFlocks]

Is there any open wounds such as cuts and stuff?

I would call the neck part an open wound as her skin and feathers are gone, but nothing besides what is visible in the pictures