Blledding chick to neck, missing feathers

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Hi,

I have one orpington chick 6weeks old that has developed missing feathers to the leaft side of his neck/head and a deep leasion, I have stood for hours watching the group interact and havent seen any of the other chicks bullying him/her or pecking. I thought i did see it scratch itself with its claw?

I have six orpingtons (6 weeks old), 1 sessex and 1 bantom (9 weeks old) together. have I done the right thing by taking him/her out of the group and putting back in a brooder box on its own to deal with the immediate situation, thye leasion does look a slittle swolen and very sore?

Any advice appreciated...there more trouble than the two lads 9 + 3 but for some reason worth it LOL.......
 
honestly, if it were me I would knock it on the head. but that's just me. generally if a clutch turns on one, it's for a reason. there's risk of infection as well and more likely if it's immunity is compromised. but that's just me... sorry.
 
Thanks steph, ive tried to upload some photos even though they are only small 640 x 800 or so it wont allow me to upload, I was basically on the same wavelengh as you. The chick appears healthy otherwise and its such a shame. With respect though ill wait until another user agrees then at least its 3 negatives for it.

Just a couple of questions if this is the runt of the litter and its removed, dosent that just make way for one of the others to be subjected to the same? I cant be sure that its not burn related as i did originally put a 60w lamp in with them last week although they now have a proper infra red job..... even so if it did recover from its wound missing feathers if its been on its own for a couple of weeks whats the likelyhood of re-intergration?
 
jpeg6785 said:
Thanks steph, ive tried to upload some photos even though they are only small 640 x 800 or so it wont allow me to upload, I was basically on the same wavelengh as you. The chick appears healthy otherwise and its such a shame. With respect though ill wait until another user agrees then at least its 3 negatives for it.

Just a couple of questions if this is the runt of the litter and its removed, dosent that just make way for one of the others to be subjected to the same? I cant be sure that its not burn related as i did originally put a 60w lamp in with them last week although they now have a proper infra red job..... even so if it did recover from its wound missing feathers if its been on its own for a couple of weeks whats the likelyhood of re-intergration?
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I would have to see photos to make more of an opinion on the wound, but either way, the likely hood and logic around getting the wound healed and then reintegrating risking further and possibly worse bullying just doesn't seem right to me. chicks don't tend to fight or pick on the runt. but they can sense an unhealthy animal and all it would take is one peck to draw a bit of blood and they would all go nuts. the fact that it's still alive says something, but i donno.. i dont like to see them suffer unnecessarily. but that's just me.
 
Hi resised the image hopefully its clear enough for you to see.
 

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That does not look like a burn. I would try to clean the wound if you can and see what the actual injury is. warm water on cotton should help, but don't let the chick get too wet. but i still stand with my previous advice i'm afraid.
 
I'd tke it out, see if you can see what's actually caused/causing it, then keep an eye for a couple of days to see how it goes. It would be risky to leave it with the others as they may peck it out of curiosity. Problem may occur if it stays away from the others for too long is that it won't be accepted back.

Obviously you do have the option of culling.
 
Hi Jpeg. We've had a chick with a far far worse wound than that -all the flesh removed from her eye back to her neck. She recovered very quickly after she was isolated and was then reintroduced -or rather they were introduced to her one at a time. Jasmine is now a lovely happy hen with her sister and others -or was, until she developed a verruca. See post 'Bumblefoot or what?'
I would isolate her but keep in sight of the others for as long as it takes to heal completely. As Chuck says the others may peck it out of curiosity (draw blood and then eat her are potentially the next stages.)
 
Hi folks,

Thanks for all the good advice, he/she appears to be very well and active apart from the injury which has now developed a large black scab, i have isolated from the group and much to the dissapointment of the wife have the chick in the front room in a large 150l container.

My mother has agreed to take her/him home and nurse back to full health but then keep it, ill look early next spring when shes fully grown into getting a friend for her. Mom seems to like the idea of having a couple of chooks herself. So the situation seems to have worked itself out.

Kind regards to all
 
Wounds usually heal very quickly - as long as they don't get infected. If you do keep the chick, I would try to get some antiseptic wound powder or similar on it. Don't worry about getting the wound wet to assess the wound - ideally you will want to keep it moist with saline solution (very cheap from a vet) and rinse it every day using a large syringe (no needle). This keeps muck off the wound and keeps it moist - healing can then take place from underneath and the skin will grow back, pushing any muck and infection out rather than the skin growing across from the sides and trapping the muck inside.
 
For what its worth, I would isolate the chick until healed and then reintroduce it.
 
jpeg6785 said:
Hi folks,

My mother has agreed to take her/him home and nurse back to full health but then keep it, ill look early next spring when shes fully grown into getting a friend for her. Mom seems to like the idea of having a couple of chooks herself. So the situation seems to have worked itself out.
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good for Mum - but i do wonder whether, if this little bird grows up for the next 3 months or so on its own, you'll be able to introduce it successfully to other chickens. I agree with cspoultry - let oit heal and then try to reintroduce it ASAP. If Mum still wants chickens next Spring she can then have a couple of your chicks, which will be growers by then. Meanwhile, she can be getting her chicken equipment together in readiness - should make it a doddle to write her Christmas list!!
 
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