I have an injured girl

Her name is Tweety. Its a small pullet about 7 months old. She began to have feathers missing on her back awhile ago and then they started growing back in and they are gone again. I have a hunch that the others are picking them out. She is the smallest, smaller than the new pullets that were added. I went out yesterday and she was bleeding under her wing. I picked her up to look at her injury and I found that her skin was torn away from her body. (like a pocket) I have a feeling my big roo ripped her skin with his nails. He is so big and she is small. I have no idea what kind of chicken she is other than barnyard special. Now she is in the house in a dog crate. She is eating and drinking fine. Is there something I can put on her skin to help it heal right. Should I be concerned about infection? She is walking around with the DDs on a blanket in the living room. (No school due to ice storm) hehehe

Good morning SC: I would just make sure it is clean and that it stays clean, Seperating her from the rest is a big step and, they do heal up pretty fast when theres nothing aggitating her. I'm not sure but I remember someone mentioned Nepsporin, or almost any salve keeps foreign objects from contaminating. Unc.

Just make sure it heals from the inside out. This way it won't abcess. I'm so glad that I'mm not the only person that has "barn yard" animals in the house!

Thanks! She does not seem very pleased to be away from the others. She protests loadly.
I do have neosporin. I will put a bit on her. How do you know if its healing inside without reopening the wound? My youngest DD put her in the play pen for awhile. Because she felt bad for her. hehehe

Skin tears heal rapidly with very little problems. I wouldn't worry about it healing from the inside, thats usually a problem with deep cuts or puncture wounds. I keep a can of sailine soltion for contact lenses on hand to clean out and dirt or debris from wounds (It's gently pressurizes and sterile). Try not to keep her out of the flock for more than a couple of days or she may loose her position in the pecking order and that will cause more trouble for her. Neosporin is always good, but I use the cream instead of the ointment on birds as it doesn't gum up the feathers or attract more dirt like the ointment.

So you think she will be all better in a couple days? She is scabing at least. That is good.
It looked awful yesterday. Boy she is not happy about being inside.

Definately. As soon as it scabs and as long as it is not red and warm, I put them back out. With it under her wing it will not attract pecking by the other girls. SOmeone made some really cute chicken saddles on here somewhere and you can always put one of thoes on her if the roo becomes a problem.

I don't have experience with chicken wounds.. but I have many years experience with horses... I was thinking if it's dry.. it's nearly healed.. putting ointment might start it all over... If it were me, I'd use something to further the drying.. like iodine or blue coat. or nothing at all and leave her with the others.. .. as long as there is no redness or pus.. there is no infection, and it's well on it's way to healing.
If she is being bothered by the separation... she is not suffering. An animal that NEEDS to be isolated, usually is glad to be alone and takes advantage of the rest period.

JMHO

I may put her back tomorrow then. I dont want her to be stressed out at all.
She is looking better in just the one day out. It is drying up. (No new blood)
I sure wish her feathers would grow back. She looks awful.
Its funny you mention the saddles, I was thinking about that when I was feeding the others today!!! It is a good idea. Thanks! It just confirms it in my head that its a good idea for the little girl.
Thanks all!!!!

Didn't someone mention putting saddles on several birds to avoid having one get singled out?

So i should get a few? I sure do not need her getting anymore attension than she does!

Well, the injured girl layed an egg today. Boy was it a big one. I thought one of the big girls were the guilty ones that lay the big eggs. NO, its my tiny little girl!!! I cant believe it. Who knew. I am going to check out her wound today and evaluate her again. She is so loud! She is not a happy patient. :(

my peahens skin was ripped like that. i put petrx on it, and it healed quick

Were do you get that? Farm store?

yes, i got it at the feed store. its good for colds scaley mites etc.

Going to the feed store later this week. Think I'll pick some of that up and hope I never need it!

its good stuff.

I make those chicken saddles..lol...ya should see me new designs...

I would like to order one or two. I will mail you. Okay?
How are the babies???? Anymore hatch???

MOODENE CAN YOU POST A PICTURE OF THE SADDLES? THANKS

There was a threadful Green -if I can find it...


Voila!! http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/936596/

This message was edited Jan 9, 2009 9:29 AM