The Poultry Keeper

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 246

She caught herself trying to escape from a new run and she must have bled a bit and now the cockerel has really gone for her head and made it much, much worse.

What do i do??

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 793 Location: Nottinghamshire

Until someone with more experience comes along...............keep her separate from the others, somewhere darkish if you can to keep her calm. Will she let you clean the wound? (Boiled and then cooled water?) I put Septiject on (purple, antiseptic spray) but you need to keep it out of eyes. Some of the other members will have other suggestions as to what to use for antiseptic.

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1452 Location: Leicestershire

No - that's about it really, keeping her seperate is the most important thing as the other chickens will be attracted to the blood and keep pecking. Clean up the wound if you can and apply wound powder or antiseptic spray or even talcum powder if you've nothing else, chickens seem able to survive quite horrific wounds that with other animals would become infected. She may be a bit subdued for a day, just keep her away from the others for maybe 2 or so days, only you can judge when the wound is healed enough for you to put her back.

Itsybitsy

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Use cornflour rather than talcum powder as the latter often contains scent.

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 246

We've taken a closer look at her and it appears that just were her crest should be there is no skin left...it's all bare flesh - very disgusting. We've brought her indoors but we really don't know what to do for her.

I'm surprised she's still alive. She even laid an egg in the shower cubicle!

What should we do?

She's looking a bit sorry for herself but is still eating and taking interest in things.

CP · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

Do as the others have said with an antiseptic of some kind. Keep her separate so the others don't continue to peck at her.

They can survive quite horrific wounds. A friend had one that was pecked on the head right through to the bone but she survived.

See how she is in the morning but don't put her back with the others until it's formed a good scab & shows no red blood. Wink

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

Ntsmama one of my Barbu's managed to rip a toe 3/4 off.- absolutely no idea how ----- I bathed it and put iodine spray on and kept her quiet for 24 hours, checking if she was drinking.

She survived ok and within 24 hours was back with her friends.

The 'toe' bit died and dropped off but she is ok.

As long as the wound doesn't get infected and she doesn't go into shock hopefully she'll be ok.

i've learn't the girls can be quite 'tough' and get on with things.

Hope she is ok.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

When she is put back, until her head is completely healed, make sure the cock cannot get near he to attempt to tread her. He'll only rip it all open again trying to grip on.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Spary the wound with purple spray it's medicated and antiseptic.

Timbo · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 206 Location: Cranfield, Beds.

Yes, it's amazing what they can survive. I'm surprised nobody has suggested adding vitamin drink to water or the famous ACV. This will help her get through it. If she's laying though then she's definately coping very well!

I'm sure she'll be fine.

Tim.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 793 Location: Nottinghamshire

How's she doing?