Huge Scab on Hen's Abdomen

[Wolfie712]

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a few years, but I am a new poster. Last night, I discovered that Annabeth, my beautiful three-year-old Ameraucana, has a huge crusty scab on her abdomen. I'm not sure how long she's had it (she's quite fluffy), but I saw and felt it when I picked her up to put her in the coop for the night. I don't know if an animal tried to attack her or if this is indicative of some sort of disease. Has anyone had experience with something like this?

Here are some photos that we took after I gave her an Epsom Salt bath:



I then covered the scab in Neosporin (non-pain relief) and separated her from the rest of our small flock. Today I also bought some Microcyn AH Poultry Care Spray from Tractor Supply to help clean it.

She's eating, drinking, and behaving normally, and I'm really hoping she'll be okay. Besides being an incredibly sweet chicken, she also won Reserve Champion at the county fair a couple years ago. She's an absolute love.

If anyone has any advice for a particular course of action, please let me know.

With thanks,
Laura

 

[Chikkin4life]

Check her beak for a tiny scab. If there, probably one of your other hens tasted her blood then wanted more. This is gross but is the above happened, another chicken probably tried to eat her alive.

 

[Kiki]

Oh my.
Do you see any maggots?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she sleep on the floor in the coop instead of roosting at night? Breast blisters and abscesses can be caused by sleeping on damp or soiled bedding, especially if a chicken cannot or won’t roost. That wound is pretty excessive though, so I would wonder if it was damaged by pecking or a predator. Does she fit any of the reasons for having a breast blister? Your hen may benefit from daily Epsom salts or betadine or chlorhexidene baths, and gentle scrubbing to get any black skin off, or at least to soften the scab. And yes, look for any maggots or signs of flystrike. The Neosporin is good to use, and Vetricyn wound spray is also good to use.

 

[Wolfie712]

No, I haven't seen any maggots. And she sleeps on roosts in the hen house that rest just about an inch or two above the litter. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just looking back at the pictures again, and noted that she has scaly leg mites. In my flock, it is usually one or two who are older or not doing well who have them. Scales can be gently brushed with a toothbrush while in a soapy soak, and when dry coat them once a week in crisco shortening, vaseline, castor oil or other thick oil until you see new scales growing.

 

[Wolfie712]

Thank you for your additional observations. I did find mites on her and am treating her for them. I'm also still doing the daily Epsom Salt baths, Microcyn spray, and Neosporin. It looks like her wound has improved a little bit. I'm still hoping she makes a full recovery.

 

[HazelandPearl]

Poor baby! Wishing her a speedy recovery!

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for the update. Please let us know how she continues to get along.

 

[micstrachan]

Poor baby. My thought was a scanned over pecking wound, but I’d be amazed if the pecking had stopped without intervention. I would continue what you are doing and watch for signs of fly strike, infection or pecking.