The Poultry Keeper

Aussie Chick · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject: Bleeding

Ethel, My Maran hurt her comb a few days ago, not sure how but all the tips had been bleeding when I got home from work.

since then each time she pecks at the food she was hitting the tips again and they bled, today I put the food in a dish so to stop this. But I have just been out now and her whole face is covered in blood. I caught her and tried to wipe it away from her eyes but it was so sticky i couldn't get much off.

Can you help me?? can i out dettol in the water to disinfect? I feel like a bad mum!

Mel · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 150 Location: Gosport, Hampshire

not had this problem but I would be inclined to try salt water instead of disinfectant. is it worth putting some Vaseline or some sort of barrier cream to protect it and it may start healing. don't know if it'll work, just a thought. good luck

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Depending on the damage you may be better off dubbing.You can put a septic pencil on it--the type a man uses when he cuts himself shaving or you can try putting flour on the injured parts,that is what is done when dubbing.Rinse the eyes with warm water first to clear the eyes and dry the head well then use the flour.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

The other girls might be having a go at her also, as they are attracted to red. Do you have some stockholm tar handy?

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

If she isn`t separated--do so immediately. If the others are pecking on her ,if she isn`t separated,put some Vicks Vapor rub on the injured parts and the others will only peck once--

Lisa · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

Saline is good for cleaning wounds.

I'd watch her if you can to find out how it is bleeding again. It may be the other chooks doing it (it is quite common, but *not* all do it), or it may be that she is catching it on something, or scracthing it herself. No need to separate if the others are not interested.

Stockholm tar is good on wounds, but I'd worry about using too much of it on her head as it is sooooooooo sticky. You can also get a purple spray (gentian violet?) that covers the colour of wounds too. Might be worth using that instead. It works very well - as anyone who has got it on themselves (ah, that'd be me) can tell Embarassed

Aussie Chick · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys for your replies. I couldnt get any stockholm tar today so I am going in search again tomorrow and will now look into the other options too.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

poor Ethel, hope she stops bleeding soon (for whatever reason). I always worry with the children and cuts at this time of year when it is frosty ~ the cuts seem to become wider and more difficult to heal. I just assume it's as bad for the girls (and boys). I'd go along with the gentian violet spray

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Hi B
Sorry to hear about you poor hen.
Have you thought about wound powder? You can buy it from the vet - and that will dry it up and keep it free of germs.
I haven't had to use it on the chooks yet but have used it recently for my cat who split her skin (ouch) and it was really good.

Hope whatever remedy you choose = works well.

Debs
x

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

I don`t know what your laws are or European laws would be but try pickling lime on the comb or any injuries where the skin is torn or cut.

I just take a handful and if the cut is deep I put it in the cut. The dampness of the cut should absorb it and then I put more on. It sort of seals it yet lets it breath so it can heal from the inside out..

If it is just minor I get a handful and dust it enough to make it stick. And then repeat it when it gets gooey.

It really works. In the summer it keeps the flies from laying in there and the taste keeps the chickens from pecking at it.

Make sure not to let them breath it in or you either. That stuff is harsh on the lungs.

hope this helps.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

I bought some Wound powder and applied it yesterday morning. I can't see any actual cut, just the tips of the comb seem to be bleeding a lot. I cleaned it up and the blood has stopped dripping now and she seems ok. I havent been down there yet this morning but hopefully everything will be ok.

Thanks so much for your help.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Let's hope it does the trick!

Debs
x

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject:

yesterday Ethel looked really good, this morning she is bleeding again. Its not the other chickens as far as I can see, she ( Ethel) has blood on her toe nails so I'm guessing she scratched it herself. Can i clip her nails? I have applied the wound powder, it works well but the blood seeps through it easily. I will continue to apply it.

Shes eating well but hasn't laid for the past two days, which is unusual.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Try mixing the blood stop powder with some vaseline and gently rub it into the area that is still bleeding.If it continues after several days to bleed,clean the area with warm water and when it starts to bleed again ,pull a few belly feathers out and apply them to the blood areas and leave them on,till they come off by them selves.I wouldn`t trim her nails yet--just see what happens.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject:

Thank you Chicken Smuggler. I used Vaseline and powder together last night and Ethel is looking great today. I will put more on tomorrow. Emily was also slightly bleeding yesterday as I have found out that they were trying to squeeze through a tiny gap and catching their heads on the wire. So all three girls went to bed last night Vaselined up!