Need help/advice. My hen's comb is 1/2 torn off from her scalp. Included pictures.

[hippychickster]

I came home and noticed her comb was hanging low on her head and when I looked closer it was ripped right from her scalp. It did not look fresh because I did not see blood, so it could have happened yesterday or this morning. I cleaned it up with peroxide and put neosporin and blue coat on it. Other than that she is fine; laying eggs, eating and drinking water. I've been researching and some say to cut it off, however, I can't imagine that would be painLESS? It is pretty thick (the comb) at the spot where it is ripped off. With that said, I'm afraid she will get it caught on something and rip it more?? Will it grow back? What do y'all suggest? I don't want to hurt her but don't her to get hurt. Thanks for you help!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

No matter what I would keep her isolated until she is fully healed so the other birds don't bother her. It sounds like you are doing the right thing keeping her clean and trying to prevent infection. Cutting it off seems a bit scary to me because I'm not sure how badly it would bleed. How badly is it dangling about?

 

[hippychickster]

No matter what I would keep her isolated until she is fully healed so the other birds don't bother her. It sounds like you are doing the right thing keeping her clean and trying to prevent infection. Cutting it off seems a bit scary to me because I'm not sure how badly it would bleed. How badly is it dangling about?

It is hanging down towards her face. It doesn't look bad until you really look close at it and then it looks like it could easily catch on something and pull off. I feel so badly for her.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

It is hanging down towards her face. It doesn't look bad until you really look close at it and then it looks like it could easily catch on something and pull off. I feel so badly for her.

I'm really sorry. I wish I knew more what to do. I would keep it clean and give anitbiotics if it starts to look too red or puffy. Keep adding new details and pictures as you progress and hopefully someone else will chime in.

 

[7L Farm]

I have a chicken I named combless. I'm not sure how it happened but her comb was I think torn by the Roo & was flopping in her face. I had to cut it off with an exacto knife . Its called dubbing I think thats how you spell it. I wouldn't recommend antibiotics. It will bleed big time. It will not grow back. If you do this have a sterlie knife & paper towels. I put neosporin on it first then once it stopped bleeding I put blu-kote to hide the wound & blu-kote will protect against infection. I left my girl with the flock & they didn't bother her but thats your call.

 

[hippychickster]

Thanks for the responses. The more I look at her the more I think it would be best to cut it off because it is kind of hanging in her face and if she gets it caught again it will rip the rest of it off. I am going to see if I can get lidocaine at least to numb it before dubbing it. I think I will wait until it's healed a little bit first. Can you tell I'm scared/nervous to do it? Thanks again!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I would do some research from what I understand chickens do not need anesthetic. I did a crop surgery a the beginning of this year. No anesthetic and no reaction at all from the bird. Didn't seem like it felt any pain.

 

[welasharon]

Pretty sure you are not supposed to use products with "caine" in them on chickens. You could wait and see how she does or you could go ahead and cut it off. Some use scissors but make sure whatever you use is sharp.

 

[hippychickster]

Thanks! I didn't know about the "caine" on Chickens. She looks fine now just a little floppy crown. I talked to my vet but he said to just leave it be and see what happens. Thanks again everyone!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I'm really glad to hear that she is doing well. Let us know how everything goes.