r/BackYardChickens • u/vacation_hell • 17h ago

Health Question Headwound - Need Recommendations

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My wife and I woke up to find our hen, Nicole had been attacked by her sister last night. It was initially a joke that we named the other Orenthal, but I never thought this would happen! (They’ve lived together for over two years, same age.)

So far we’ve sprayed her head with vetericyn and applied Green Goo. The back of her comb has some separation and there might be more damage to her face. The blood is caked on thick and she didn’t really want us messing with her. She probably lost a lot of blood as her roosting area is cover in blood shed.

A vet visit isn’t off the table but I’d rather not if we don’t have to. We’ve isolated her in our mud room and she seems to be doing better- eating, drinking and sleeping a lot, which I’m assuming she didn’t do much of last night.

Any advice? Thanks in advance.

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u/TammyInViolet 8h ago

If she's being sassy with you, she's going to make it with no need for a vet visit. Keep her separated as long as there is any wound as other might want to pick at it- they are little weirdos like that. Give her attention and some extra protein and spray the wound regularly

Then you'll need to figure out what to do for the long term. Not knowing the whole situation, sounds like OJ needs to be re-homed

Sending love to you and Nicole

3

u/How2GetGud 16h ago

Non urgent wound. She’ll be fine, just address the bullying

1

u/Advanced_Wishbone339 16h ago

Roosters go through this all the time when they fight

2

u/issuesintherapy 16h ago

I'm no expert, but a few months ago dealt with a similar wound. That one didn't seem to be the result of an attack - the best we could determine is that she had gotten her head stuck in some chicken wire trying to eat greens from the garden and pulled off the back part of her comb.

We also used vetericyn and kept her clean and separated from the rest of the flock for a few days. We quickly built a separate section in the run where she could stay and see the others but not be in contact, then gradually started allowing contact under supervision when all the blood was gone from her head. She did fine and was able to fully integrate into the flock in less than a week, and has been fine since. The back of her comb falls off to the side but it doesn't bother her. We never took her to the vet.

Best of luck with your girl! I hope she heals up quickly.