4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Palmer06]

I need desperate help, got four new chicken on saterday for a friend, (they keep already but as we were heading to get somemore they asked us to pick them up as they were at a wedding) We know the lady we got them of as she is who we normaly get them of and she said they where fine together and would be no problem! so sunday, monday and this mornin i been keepin a close eye on them and they have been fine and really close at night but to day i got a phone call of the mother-in-law who said she was down the vets as one was bleeding! I rushed home from work to find one of the silkies had be totally scapled. The vet said there was nothing they could do and she doesn`t show she is in any pain or discomfort. she is still eating and drinking and carrying on as useual! (They have been seperated)

 

What can i do??

[The Dogmother]

Someone on the forum had something similar a year or two back and the hen survived. She will need to be kept seperately while it heals and then re-introduced carefully to the rest of the flock.

[jools+6]

poor thing

[Topdollar]

Once they see blood they can be quite brutal. I had something similar but it was a torn vent on a new layer that the other girls pecked until most of her underside was pecked raw and a large black scab formed.

We used the purple spray you can get for horses (i think it cantains a Dye and tea tree oil but not sure of all the ingredients). It makes the chicken look a bit strange but it seemed to deter the others pecking and also sooths the victims wounds.

We've used it to great affect since and we now have a bottle of it specifically for the chucks, just incase.

[Egluntyne]

Sounds like Gentian Violet Spray. Brilliant stuff.

[The Dogmother]

Sounds like Gentian Violet Spray. Brilliant stuff.

 

It is!

 

The one that I recommend has aloe vera in it too... just don't go getting it on your skin or clothes; it would work well as an anti-vandal or anti-thief spray!

[helenmb]

Poor Silkie - hope she pulls through - you can get Gentian Spray from any horsey type shops.

 

Fingers cross for a good outcome.

[Palmer06]

Just an update! she seems to be getting on ok! she is indoors with us and is still eating and drinking! Thankyou for all you good advice! i will keep you informed!

[emmaw298]

I had this problem recently with one of mine having her bottom nearly entirely pecked off. After 2 weeks of separation and nursing (disinfecting and antibiotics) she is nearly all healed up (but will always have a slightly unusual looking vent from now on!)

Now I am having problems reintroducing her to the other girls (I kept her separate until a few days ago). I have got bumper bits on the other 2 girls and allowing them to free range together and although peggy does her best to avoid them (they still chase her occasionally). I also took the advice of multiple feeding stations.

I have been putting them in the eglu to sleep together at night for the last 2 nights and so far so good so I am hoping that they'll just get bored of chasing her and finally accept her again I think they key thing is just perserverance unless/until you are sure they will not accept her back. fingers crossed for you

[Palmer06]

Just another update! She`s still indoors and she is doin fine. To my amazment the skin has started groing back on the kneck (but u can still see the skull!) I hope we are over the worst of it now!

Still going to have the trickyness of reintroduceing her in a few weeks!

[The Dogmother]

I am sure that you will, but please make sure that she is fully healed before putting her back with the others.

 

Some vet wound powder will help the scalp to heal - it sounds like there is a lot of regrowth to be done, perhaps the vet needs to put a stitch in to encorage it to grow back together.

[Palmer06]

Hi, Sorry its been a while but i`ve been away! just to let you know that it has been a few weeks now and my girl is still with us and in good shape. the skin on her kneck has covered up just waiting for the skull! hopefully there should be some pictures here!

 

[abwsco]

Oh, I've only just seen this. The poor love Looks like you've done a good job with her

[Palmer06]

Hi,

I am greatful for the help but i am sad to say she passed away today. I am sorry if you have read this already on another post but there was two on the go.

It doesn`t make sense! This happened way over four weeks ago and she was great, it didn`t seem to affect her at all. She was eating, sleeping playing about around the house ever since, her head had alost full covered over and feathers had alraedy start regrowing. Then yesterday she was fine and then suddenly last night she looked just aliitle bit down but i thought i was just over worring. Then today she passed on.

 

Once again thank you for all the advice you have give us over the last several week it has been a great help.

[Egg Lou]

Hi,

I am greatful for the help but i am sad to say she passed away today. I am sorry if you have read this already on another post but there was two on the go.

It doesn`t make sense! This happened way over four weeks ago and she was great, it didn`t seem to affect her at all. She was eating, sleeping playing about around the house ever since, her head had alost full covered over and feathers had alraedy start regrowing. Then yesterday she was fine and then suddenly last night she looked just aliitle bit down but i thought i was just over worring. Then today she passed on.

 

Once again thank you for all the advice you have give us over the last several week it has been a great help.

 

Oh what a shame.. so sorry! It looks like you did all you could for her ..no idea why really but I guess she may have developed an infection?

 

Best wishes to you x

[Plum]

Oh, Im so, so sorry and sad for you. You tried so hard for her.

Sad day.

Hugs x