Chick with cut/gash on neck (warning graphic pic)

[AaronP]

I hope this picture works. This chick is 3 weeks old and when I went to check on them this evening this is what i found. All of the other chicks appear to be fine. I don't know what happened to it. The only thing I can think of is maybe the metal feed trough. Any ideas? How should I go about treating it, or will it heal itself? Bad thing is, I have a lady coming to buy 7 chicks tomorrow and this was one she was buying. Anyway, just trying to figure out what to do to help this little guy. Thanks for your help.

 

[LindsayB]

Poor little guy, that looks really deep. its lucky whatever cut it didn't hit any major arteries. first off, I would not sell it...put it somewhere away from the other chicks bc if they see blood like that they are going to peck at it. I don't really know what you can put on it. Your best bet would probably be to let it dry out and give antibiotics in the water. make sure it still has a heat lamp too. Hopefully someone else can think of some more things.

 

[chickerdoodle]

I am not an expert but I would use Neosporin (WITHOUT the pain killer) as it's useful for most cuts. If it is deep you can rinse with lukewarm diluted Betadine first to get any gunk out (don't get any in the eyes)--then apply the ointment for the topical antibiotics as well as keep it moist and clean. I do not know if oral antibiotics can be used safely on little ones. It is best to separate her from her flock mates to prevent being picked on by the others. Clean and reapply ointment at least once or twice a day. It might be a good idea to add vitamin and electrolytes to her water and be sure she can eat and drink well. Hopefully a more experienced person will chime in.

 

[nanawendy]

This might be an occasion to use super glue. You must be very careful. Have another hold the chick and close the wound...after cleaning.
Then you carefully drop a small amount on the CLOSED wound.

good luck

 

[Chieftain]

I agree with the "Super Glue" option, but plain Super Glue is NOT the stuff to use.

Look around on the 'Net for veterinary surgical CA (Cyanoacrylic Adhesive). While Super Glue has a long reputation for bonding skin instantly, the reaction when it sets is so hot it causes secondary and deep burns to the tissue and can cause even more damage than the original wound. The surgical grade of CA is much gentler to the skin and is just as effective.

You can buy it as a veterinary supply from any number of places on the 'Nets, and it is an outstanding item to have in your First Aid Kit for the flock. Torn combs are a common occurance and surgical CA is great for those repairs as well. A small bottle of alum, and a few stiptic pencils are a couple of other handy items to have.

If it was all I had in a real emergency, I would use Super Glue with caution, but then I would look into procuring a tube of the right stuff as soon as I could.

 

[nanawendy]

Cheiftain, So good to know. As "Medic Mama" @ girls camp I've always had regular superglue. Only using it a few times I never had complaints. But before this years camp I will find the "vet" stuff, and of course have it for my flock.

AaronP, how it going today?

 

[AaronP]

Thanks everybody for your help. I see now that I need to put a first aid kit together for the chickies. Never really had problems like this before. I guess you never know when they will arise though. Wish I had put together a kit together earlier so I could have been prepared. Sadly the little guy didn't make it through the night. I went out last night to get some super glue and neosporin and when I got everything together to bring him in the house he looked worse. We only put the neosporin on him last night. I will be getting the items Cheiftain recomended and maybe next time I will be prepared. Out of the 23 chicks that hatched this is the only one I've lost. I was so happy b/c I thought I was kind of in the safe mode now that they are 3 weeks old. Guess we learn as we go but this is just a frustrating way to learn. Thanks again for your help. Aaron

 

[nanawendy]

Did you ever find out what caused the gash ?

 

[AaronP]

Nanawendy, no I haven't figured out what caused the gash. I have them in an all wood brooder box that I built. There are no exposed screws or anything sharp. It is just all wood inside except for the ceramic light fixture with bulb and the metal chick trough feeder and a metal mason jar feeder. There is wire on half of the bottom but no sharp edges exposed. I don't have a clue how it happened.

 

[kathyinmo]

Likely the metal feeder. I have read it many times.

I am so sorry for your poor little chickie. Hope it recovers quickly for ya.