The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Andt on August 16, 2011, 09:54:40 pm

Title: Bleeding hen.
Post by: Andt on August 16, 2011, 09:54:40 pm

Earlier this evening I went to put the hens to bed and found 1 of my white Leghorns with dry blood on her feathers, upon closer inspection I could see that her comb was injured possibly by another hen. I have moved her to a large secure brooder in my garden shed to heal as I've read that hens keep on picking on injured birds particularly when blood is present.

Apart from keeping her away from the rest is there anything else I should do? The cut looks clean.

How long should I keep her away from the rest of the flock, how should I reintroduce her? Should I wait till night and put her in the coop?

Just my luck that she was slow starting to lay compared to her sisters and has started in the last week!

Title: Re: Bleeding hen.
Post by: doganjo on August 16, 2011, 10:44:33 pm

If you have a spray of some sort handy you can treat her and let them back together as soon as the blood has gone and the wounde healed, but yes, do it at night. And keep an eye on her in case she is being bullied

Title: Re: Bleeding hen.
Post by: Mel on August 17, 2011, 08:31:23 am

Spray on some Gentian Violet which shall help repair and stop others from pecking at her.