Torrin Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Have just noticed one of my pepperpots has wound the size of a 50p under her crop, round the side a bit, above her leg - sorry don't know how to describe it! Pretty sure it wasn't there yesterday. Is this likely to be from the others pecking her? Is it possible she has an internal problem? Any suggestions gratefully received (she seems happy and lively - can't catch her!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Is it actually a full skin thickness wound like a gaping cut or could it be a graze or sore patch of skin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Like you, I am wondering whether she just caught herself on something, or the others are pecking her; if it's the latter, then you need to act quickly. In either case, if there is pink flesh or blood showing then she will need isolating before the others start pecking at it. Give it a wash in some water with tea tree oil in it and see how big/bad it is. As Chucky Mama has said above, the treatment depends on what size and how bad it is. The least I would do is to bathe it, puff with some vet wound powder and then spray with purple spray to disguise the bleeding/pink. If it is still bleeding, then it might need a stitch, so a trip to the vet is in order. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 have managed to catch her and have a better look. It's not a scratch or graze but it's not as deep as I first thought. It is through the skin and very bloody looking but not actually bleeding if you see what I mean. Have spayed with purple spray - that's all i've got, not wound powder or anything. Is it possible she's pecking herself? As soon as I put her down she turned and pecked at the spray - location of the wound was just right to turn and peck, but maybe she was just investigating the new spray? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 She may just be investigating it (watch her and see what she does); they don't usually self-harm like that, but if you have any anti-peck spray, now is a good time to spray it. Keep a careful eye on the wound and check that it is clean and healing. If it covers a large surface area, then it might just need a suture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Blackie still seems to be pecking at her wound - can I put anti peck spray onto and around a wound like this? She is also now doing squirty poos - never seen her so this before, but otherwise seems happy and is still laying, running around. Do I need to do anything else, should I be worrying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 I don't see why you can't put any anti-peck spray around it, just don't get any on yourself when you apply it! Try her on an exclusion diet for the squits - no treats, pellets, Bokashi Bran in live yoghurt. Avipro in the water. That usually does it. I take it that she's been wormed recently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Thanks Claret, yes been wormed last week actually although I wonder if I should try Flubinet (sp) as I currently use verm-x and that seems to be less popular. Don't know if it's less effective?? Haven't got any avipro - is that an omlet purchase? Will have a look online. Luckily my local pets at home has a chicken section so will go and get some anti peck spray. You say not to get it on myself - does it sting, smell, stain??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Personally, I'd worm with Flubenvet just to be sure - it's vet licensed wormer, so you can get it from your vet or a Countrywide store if you have one near you. Avipro can be bought online or from your vet, I will PM you a link for it online. It can be put in the water, or in a wet mash. The anti-pecking sprays taste and smell vile, they can also stain, so be very careful when you use it an wear old clothes. I hope she picks up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saff Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 We had a bad case of pecking in our run - huge open wounds, through the skin, most gruesome. I thought we would lose two of our three girls. However they are amazingly resilient. We cleaned up the wounds, sprayed some purple antiseptic spray on them, then put a homemade chicken saddle on the two victims. Be prepared to wait a while for them to heal - it was about a month before it was completely healed. After that we bought some veterinary wound powder.... just in case it happened again. So even if it looks gruesome - don't panic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 In the past, I have used steristrips on an acquaintances wounded hen, usually though, it isn't suitable as they tend to make a gaping hole rather than a nice wound with edges that can be drawn together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 this is def a gaping wound rather than anything steristrips could cope with! Saff, glad to hear from someone who' hens have come through the incident. Being thick here, but what is a chicken saddle and how do you make one?? I've had my girls about a year now and have been really lucky I've had no problems at all. This had made me think about stocking up on a few more helpful items - thank goodness I at least had purple spray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 If you Google 'poultry saddle' there are quite a few pictures and explanations. They are usually used to stop an over-enthusiastic cockerel from maiming his wives, but could also be used to give a wound time to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 Thanks again Claret! Unfortunately this isn't going to cover the wound as it's right down her side. I wonder if I get a larger size than I need I may be able to put it on backwards, i.e. around her chest and up over her wings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Try making her a 'sausage jacket' out of an old pair of opaque tights - you can cut it down to size and add holes where necessary. It really only needs to cover the part of her that has the wound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 Oooh, great idea. I'll just have to wait for someone to help me catch her later to fit it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 this is def a gaping wound rather than anything steristrips could cope with! Surely it needs stitching if it's too much for steristrips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saff Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Chickens can heal amazingly well. As i said in earlier post our chickens had holes larger than a 50 pence piece and they did heal. Their skin is thin but they are resilient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrin Posted May 20, 2010 Author Share Posted May 20, 2010 Seems to be healing but I think it's going to take a while. Have gone with the purple spray and anti peck spray - didn't bother with the jacket in the end as she seems to have stopped worrying at it and isn't getting worse so I assume the others are leaving it alone. Will just wait and watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Glad to hear it Torrin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saff Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 Yes - glad they're making progress. I was surprised at how well mine did. Saffron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 They do rally surprisingly well for critters that seem so delicate at times - I once went to see an acquaintance and one of her hens had managed to scalp itself on some fencing, we cleaned and dressed it and I really did doubt that it would live as I could clearly see bone at the bottom of the wound. She must have looked after it well though as it rallied and is still around.... with a very wonky comb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
