A chicken with a blueish or purple comb typically indicates she is experiencing circulatory issues that are typically fatal, other signs include droopy comb, respiratory and ocular discharge, as well as an upturned tail.
Keep an injured chicken hydrated – she needs fluids to recover from shock and expel waste products from her body. Consider adding crushed garlic for additional antimicrobial benefits.
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Water
Chickens are generally hardy creatures, and most minor wounds can be treated at home with some TLC and time. However, chickens are vulnerable to shock and should remain isolated until they have completely recovered before returning them back into the flock.
Injuryd chickens require warmth, quiet and rest – the last thing they need is being pecked at or trampled upon by their peers. Place an injured bird in a safe environment that is free from drafts; not necessarily far away from its home coop but away from any pets and family members that might harm it further or stress it further.
Provide the injured bird with plenty of fresh, clean water and eliminate all treats (such as molasses or sugar water ) until she has fully healed. A little plain yogurt might help restore good bacteria in her gut – just don’t overdo it or she could develop diarrhea!
Food
Chickens have thin-skinned bodies and are easily wounded from fighting or predators – it’s essential that we remain aware when one of our feathered friends has been injured so we can provide first aid quickly to keep them healthy and happy! Being vigilant allows you to quickly administer first aid for our feathered friends!
Injuryd chickens should be quarantined until they have healed sufficiently to rejoin their flock. Check for signs such as peck marks, bleeding from wounds or scabs, and puffy skin appearance as indicators of an injury. Watch also for listless behavior and changes to comb and wattle color that suggest damage has occurred.
To stimulate an appetite in sick chickens, feed high-energy and protein-rich foods like hard-boiled eggs, mealworms, thawed and fresh corn, yogurt with active live cultures (which also helps digestion issues), human grade cooked meat products such as apples, cantaloupe and cherries; plus vegetables such as kale and spinach. You could even try adding apple cider vinegar as it contains natural acids which aid with digestion.
Electrolytes
Chickens have thin-skinned feathers and it is common for them to get injured during their lives. Luckily, however, they’re highly resilient creatures; most minor wounds heal quickly with proper TLC and First Aid measures in place.
Search for bloody scabs on their feet or legs and signs of loss of appetite in a chicken, such as being hunched over or sitting a lot so she won’t stand on them, as this could indicate bumblefoot – caused when walking through dirt or poop and scratching her leg scales while scratching.
If a chicken is breathing raspily or showing foamy eyes, she could have an infection which requires antibiotics. You may want to use some homeopathic remedies like Rescue Remedy or Aconite 30c potency in order to calm her and assist in her recovery. Other products used for wound care may include coconut oil (or vaseline), Epsom salts and flaxseed as they reduce stress while alleviating any associated discomfort.
Antibiotics
When a chicken is sick or injured, she should be isolated from her flock to prevent pecking and allow the wound to heal properly. Furthermore, they should be kept warm and comfortable as part of her care.
Septicemia (an infection of the naval area) can often prove fatal for chicks if left untreated quickly. Signs include dark blue, swollen and irritated abdomen; unpleasant smell from navel area and listlessness.
Clean the wound thoroughly and apply an antiseptic such as Blu-Kote or Neosporin antiseptic to it. A warm Epsom salt bath is also helpful to help the wounded bird relax and reduce stress; lavender oil on wound nourishes it further while alleviating any pain. A small amount of styptic powder can stop bleeding on superficial cuts, scrapes, or nails.
