My hen has no wing and she is still ALIVE!!

[crait]

I almost threw up!!
Maybe you let her outside too soon.
That's actually a good story to tell, though.
meraucanamomma, you can't let your chicken out of the house too soon.
You have to wait for the perfect time.

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
I'm sure glad I read this thread!! We have been treating our pet rat who we think had an absess rupture with straight betadine!! Just told my hubby, he has been the one treating her. No wonder it looks so bad

I sure hope your little girl will be okay. Poor things, they have no chance against predators!

 

[CTChickenMom]

The interesting thing with maggots is that they only eat dead flesh. They are being used more and more with people who are diabetic and have wounds that won't heal. That said, they aren't left in a wound but are changed daily or even hourly as they get fattened up. Kind of gross but saves people from having extensive surgery to remove dying tissue.

Definitely keep the wounded area flushed clean for at least 10 days and get some antibiotics in her. Animals bites cause nasty infections, some worse than others. Did you catch the critter in the act or did you find your hen this way?

I would loosely wrap the wing so its snug to her body to keep her from snagging the exposed bone on anything. It will likely take her some time to adjust to having that bone hanging down. You may want to have a vet remove the bone so that it doesn't become something for the other girls to pick at.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Yeah, I have heard of that. She also had gangrene but I diddnt want to wax too eloquently gross.... sorry guys!

 

[joebryant]

When I read threads like this, it makes me admire a lot of chicken people for what they're willing to do and go through to help/save their chickens. Personally, I could not deal with what the original poster is going through, and I would have killed the hen quickly; then I would justified it by telling myself that I did it for her to put her out of her mistery. BUT, in the back of my mind I'd be thinking of people who go through the personal pain of saving their animals' lives if they can; then I'd feel guilty like I should. Nevertheless, I'd still put her down.

Heck, I put Anne on notice that I'd have her put down if she ever broke her leg again and I had to cook and wash clothes again. In truth I brought food in and only attempted, unsuccessfully, to do a load of wash. Nevertheless, I'd still have her put down.

 

[meraucanamomma]

My husband will be home soon and I will try and take pictures. I have her in a cage because I noticed her muffs were gone. And I didn't know whether she was sick. She must have gotten to close to the edge and got her wing riped off. It is so gross. I don't know if I can kill her. My husband worked late last night and he looked at her and of course he said it was really bad. She stopped bleeding but every time I look at her I want to cry. I want to keep her but my husband said I would be very selfish if I kept her. The bone is sticking out about 2 inches. I feel there is a reason why she is still alive. She is my sweet girl.. Maybe I am being selfish but she is my little baby chickie. I don't want her to be in pain and I don't want the other birds to pick at her.. Thanks for all of the support..

 

[joebryant]

meraucanamomma, best of luck with whatever outcome/results that come from all your efforts and decisions. Truly, I do admire you.

 

[meraucanamomma]

Thank you joebryant.

 

[kycklingar!]

Birds can recover amazingly from the loss of limbs. If you keep it flushed with diluted betadine, like the others have been saying, she's likely to survive and deal with her handicap well... assuming she's penned. If she's free-ranging, however, it would be unkind to expect her to live handicapped. I have nursed animals through some really wretched injuries that made me sick to my stomach, but if infection doesn't set in, then they almost always make it out the other end just fine. I commend you for your compassion and care for her! :*) I know whatever you decide to do, it will be based on all the right motives.

 

[Jenski]

momma, can you get her to a vet? I know this can be a challenge with chickens depending on where you live. It might help to have a professional opinion. I am fortunate to have a great avian vet near my office, but I don't know what your situation is like. Some folks don't have a good bird vet for miles.

Sending good thoughts your way, honey! Just trust your gut and keep us posted.