Af Kelcie Paulis, presidential advisor of Chickenlandia
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There will undoubtedly be wounds at some point during your chicken farming experience. Whether it's due to fighting, predators, something in the environment or just a mystery, chickens can be a little thin-skinned. Fortunately, chickens are also surprisingly resilient creatures. I have seen them whole, with all kinds of injuries and wounds. Most minor wounds can heal quickly with a little TLC and some expert first aid. If your chicken is currently injured and you're trying to decide what to do, let's break it down into a few simple steps.
Please note: At Chickenlandia we strive to use natural products wherever possible. Some of the suggestions below are not entirely natural, but in an emergency it is very important to have options. To see the president of Chickenlandia's largely natural first aid kit,click here.
Step 1: Wash your hands
We've learned a lot lately about how bacteria spread. To prevent new or further infections of your chicken or yourself, wash your hands before and after treatment.
Step 2: Stop bleeding
Once you discover an injured chicken, it is important to assess the damage and clean the area. But you must first stop any active bleeding. Some wounds, such as combs, combs, and toenails, will bleed much more than others. I useMercury Stopto stop the bleeding, but any styptic powder will work. If there is no blood thinning powder in your chicken first aid kit, don't worry! Cornstarch or baking flour is a good alternative. Sprinkle the powder over the area and press it into the bleeding point. Give it time to set and dry before cleaning the wound.
Step 3: Clean the wound
Cleaning the wound and surrounding area is important to prevent and heal infections. If you do nothing else, don't skip this important step. This is the best thing you can do to help a chicken with a superficial injury.
It's not an all-natural product, but a good old soap and warm water rinse with classic Dawn Dish Soap is my first step in wound cleansing. It is safe and gentle, and for small superficial wounds you can simply use it with a washcloth. For larger residues, I rinse the area directly in the sink, being careful not to completely soak the chicken. You don't want to give them a full bath and stress them out. Just get them wet enough to remove the dirt and bacteria from the wound.
Step 4: Apply a topical treatment
There are plenty of good topical wound treatments that are safe for use on chickens. Here are my top recommendations for this step:
Veterycine–Veterycineis my best product for wound care and cleaning. It kills 99.9% of bacteria. Veterycin is incredibly safe and has amazing disinfectant and healing properties. It can be used for virtually anything, anywhere on the body. Veterycin is readily available at most pet or feed stores, as well as online. And don't worry about which formula to buy; Although they make many species-specific labels, all Vetericyn Plus products are safe to use. Spray liberally on and around the wound. Repeat this daily during healing.
Raw honey- Whenever possible, we like to lean into Chickenlandia naturally. Raw honey has good antibacterial properties. It also makes things heal faster. Any raw honey will do. Drop a ball and gently spread it over the wound. Make sure your chicken is separated from the flock if you use honey topically.
Hydrogen peroxide- Many people have this readily available in their first aid kit. It is a mild antiseptic used on the skin to prevent infection. You can use this on chickens for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. However, peroxide should not be used on puncture wounds or bites. I apply it to the wound area with a cotton ball.
Neosporin- Almost everyone has a tube of Neosporin at home. As long as it does not contain a painkiller, it is completely safe to use against chickenpox. Because it is a triple antibiotic, it can help prevent or treat infections at a critical time. You just need to apply it to small wounds and rub it in gently.
Blue Kote–Blue Koteis another one of my favorite products. It is an antiseptic, bactericidal, antifungal wound dressing and healing agent. It protects animals against common infections and pus-producing bacteria. Blue Kote is for surface wounds and abrasions, but is also effective against fungal infections and ringworm. Blue Kote contains Gentian Violet, an antiseptic dye that turns the area a dark blue color. This dye is very useful for "covering" a wound and preventing them from pecking from their pack mates. Whenever I notice a bird being plucked with a wound, I apply a spray of Blue Kote to the area (be careful, it WILL turn your hands blue for a few days and it will stain clothes).
Step 5: Repeat
Depending on the severity of the wound, you will probably want to repeat the cleaning and current treatment process for as long as necessary. For larger wounds, I treat twice a day for the first 3 days and then once a day until they are healed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my chicken need stitches?
Most superficial wounds do not require stitches, but some may be large or deep enough to require closure. I normally don't worry about suturing wounds smaller than an American quarter. If you think your chicken needs stitches and the wound is still fresh, see a vet for stitches. The open edges of the damaged skin will dry up in the first few days of healing, making the skin unable to be repaired with stitches. If this is the case, continue cleaning and treating. Goosebumps has amazing healing powers and can still heal itself.
Do I need a bandage?
This really depends on the severity of the wound, but I generally don't bandage wounds. This often bothers the birds more than it helps, causing them to peck at it or scratch it away completely. It is also almost impossible to dress some wounds effectively. I use bandages for Bumble Foot or Splay Leg. If you feel the need to bandage a wound, I recommend Vet Wrapadhesive bandages.
Should I take my chicken apart?
Many wounds will require separation from the herd for a healing period. For small superficial wounds I can simply apply a layer of Blue Kote to stain the area and prevent members from picking at it, but for larger, more exposed wounds I recommend a temporary separation. A smaller, quiet room will help the chicken relax and heal.
Stress management
Most wounds are caused by an event that was likely stressful for the chick. Managing stress is also an important part of wound care. I recommend followingR.E.S.T-methodeto situations in which a chicken has experienced trauma. You can also give your chicken some Rescue Remedy and/or the homeopathic remedy Aconite in a strength of 30c to help calm it down.Click here for more information about the use of homeopathic remedies in chickens. For more information about R.E.S.T. Method, click the play button below!
A warm and quiet place to rest with some electrolytes and a tasty meal can do wonders for the body's ability to recover. Once your chicken has recovered, it can be reintroduced to the flock and continue to live a happy life. You may need to integrate them slowly, as illustrated in the video below.
Disclaimer
The content of the Welcome to Chickenlandia website, blog, vlog and all social media is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reliance on the information displayed on Welcome to Chickenlandia's website, blog, vlog and social media is entirely at your own risk. Please do your own research and make your own informed decisions regarding the health of your chickens.
