Injured Comb

[christinaf08]

My RIR who is about 22 weeks old has an injury to her comb. The are wounds on the side and at the base on the backside of the comb. Around her eye is swollen as well. I made a cut to check for infection but it is just blood. I'm a newer chicken Mom and am unsure on what else I can do. I have cleaned it, put bacitracin on it and have her inside with extra vitamins. She is eating and drinking.

 

[azygous]

That appears to be an allergic reaction to an insect bite. Comb injuries do not swell up like that. The other possibility is frost bite which does swell up a comb.

Giving us your location on the planet would help.

 

[christinaf08]

I am in Peoria AZ.

 

[azygous]

You could try treating her with Children's liquid Benedryl if you can see what looks like an insect bite or scorpion sting. Have you seen scorpions around the area? Usually, chickens eat scorpions without any issue, but occasionally one will rear up and nail a chicken.

The Benedryl is given with an oral syringe at 2-4 mg per two pounds of body weight. One dose now and one more in 24 hours. Don't give more than that.

 

[christinaf08]

You could try treating her with Children's liquid Benedryl if you can see what looks like an insect bite or scorpion sting. Have you seen scorpions around the area? Usually, chickens eat scorpions without any issue, but occasionally one will rear up and nail a chicken.

The Benedryl is given with an oral syringe at 2-4 mg per two pounds of body weight. One dose now and one more in 24 hours. Don't give more than that.

Thank you! I did happen to notice a few ants in the coop where she hangs out after you said it looked like a bite. We haven't had any scorpions that I have seen. I will get her started on some Benadryl.