Solitary chicken - need advice

[emmamia]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can give me some chicken first aid advice!

One on my chickens has cut her foot today, I've cleaned up the wound with salt water and I'm keeping her in the run. It looks like she has only damaged the skin but I'm worried it might get infected as it is impossible to keep clean as she is constantly scrathing around in the grass. Is their anything else I can do?

 

Thanks Emma

Edited April 18, 2009 by Guest

[Clur]

Maybe try putting some vaseline on it as a barrier?

[Mrs Frugal]

Hi Emma,

 

You've done the right thing in bathing it with salt water. I'd just keep an eye on it and if it has stopped bleeding, it will probably be fine. If it is still bleeding, put some pressure on the wound with your fingers pressing on a paper towel until the bleeding stops. Watch the area for redness, swelling or oozing which would be a sign of infection but it should heal up nicely.

 

Good luck!

[Lewis]

Do you have some of that purple spray (I can't remember the name, but we use Terramycin at the farm)?

It might be worth a spray, because it'll get rid of any nasty bacteria, and stop the others pecking at the blood.

[emmamia]

Hi, thanks so much for the advice it's really helpful. I think I'll try and get some of that purple spray tomorrow. I've had a look at her foot this morning and even after cleaning I can't get all of the dirt out. Is this OK? or do you think it might be worth taking it to the vet for a proper clean? thanks Emma

[Gamebird]

Chicken feet are usually quite resilient to dirt and soil.

 

One of my chickens cut her foot which I sprayed with gentian violet which is a mild antisceptic and also stops the other chickens from pecking the wound. The cut cleared up quite quickly with no infection.