Self harming chicken

[chickenslave]

My lovely Ada has got a hole in her undercarriage round about where she'd have a belly button if you know what I mean. I first noticed it last Wednesday when I thought the other two had been picking on her. So I bruoght her in to the Sick Bay (tea chest in the kitchen) to give her a bit of TLC. Washed away the blood and first put on wound powder then udder cream. I kept washing and reapplying but it wasn't healing. Then on Friday there was a blood bath. I then tried purple spray and finally yesterday anti-peck spray, but there's stll lots of fresh blood. I even tried to rig up some kind of chicken bra to stop her pecking herself but she got so distressed I had to take it off.Any ideas, please, she's eating well and has laid two eggs while in hospital and seems to enjoy our girly chats when I'm cooking my tea.

 

[podstable]

Maybe she just likes the attention and warmth of the house! If its not healing,possibly infected and still annoying her Id wonder if shes got something in there? Possibly a splinter, bit of stick or something. Theres usually a reason if a wound doesnt heal. If you clean it all up as much as poss try gentle probe into wound/have a look with a bright torch-you just might find something in there. Ros

 

[Anonymous]

One of those hen jumpers from happy chicks would stop her from pecking herself,but,I do think Ros is correct,something is irritating her.

 

[Tim]

If there's damage, you'll need to keep her away from the flock - chickens are attracted to red and will keep pecking her wound.

Once she's separated, if the wound isn't closing, I'm afraid it's a trip to the vets. I've stitched a few birds up but this is usually just skin wounds with little or no blood. You need to ensure the area remains clean and closing it up is usually the best way to do this.

Do let us know how you get on..