OG Rooster Attacked by Younger Rooster

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

I’m currently freaking out and trying to get back home. Received call from brother saying our OG rooster was all bloody and cut up and possibly missing a toe. Younger rooster has blood on him so assuming he’s the attacker. How do I treat my injured rooster? Will I need to bring/keep him indoors to clean up, assess injuries, and heal? Idk what to do as the only other time my chickens were attacked, it was by hawks and they killed them.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Also, how do I clean him up? I assume I can’t just hose him down or put him in a bathtub…do I use a damp, warm washcloth and dab the injuries and blood?

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! You'll probably need to assess both, treat for shock by keeping them warm, given sweetened water to drink, then clean them up. I really hope no one is missing toes.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Also, how do I clean him up? I assume I can’t just hose him down or put him in a bathtub…do I use a damp, warm washcloth and dab the injuries and blood?

Use saline water to clean them up and then slather any bad wounds with plain antibiotic ointment.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Hi! You'll probably need to assess both, treat for shock by keeping them warm, given sweetened water to drink, then clean them up. I really hope no one is missing toes.

Thank you so much. Currently en route back home to him now. Sweetened water- a bit of sugar in some water? If there is a toe missing- how would I treat that or get the bleeding to stop? I can’t thank you enough for responding.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Use saline water to clean them up and then slather any bad wounds with plain antibiotic ointment.

Should I wrap any wounds if they’re very bad? Like with gauze or something especially if a toe is missing? Edit: thank you for replying so quick.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

Update: he has many small cuts all over his head, and is whining…I have no other way to explain it. I’ve never heard him make these quieter cries…I held him in a towel and got him nice and warmed up, and have him separated in a dog kennel in the garage to stay warm. He is pecking and eating scratch and worms so that has to be a good sign. I feel so bad hearing him cry- it literally tears at my heart. I put antibiotic ointment on as many of the cuts I could find and the area on his leg. Doesn’t appear to be a toe missing thank god, but that’s one of the worst cuts- the one on his leg. My poor guy. He is the last one left from my first flock so he has lots of sentimental value for me. He is currently asleep. I just checked on him again. Poor guy. Thank you to everyone who helped guide me on what to do.

 

[sourland]

If he were mine with sentimental value, I would remove the young rooster from the flock and reintroduce the injured bird to the flock as soon as possible. Being with his hens will speed his recovery.

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

If he were mine with sentimental value, I would remove the young rooster from the flock and reintroduce the injured bird to the flock as soon as possible. Being with his hens will speed his recovery.

Okay. that basically means if I can’t re-home the younger rooster within the next day or two then it’s time for culling or eating…right? Never done it before, but there’s a first for everything. I was told to cull the rooster soon after he hatched, but didn’t have the stomach for it, and have been trying to give him away. Probably shouldn’t have let it go so long, but part of me thought “maybe they won’t fight?”.

 

[sourland]

Once he's deposed the flock leader, it is unlikely that the young rooster will peacefully coexist with him. It's all about assuring that his DNA gets to carry on.