Pygostyle broken off of hen

[SmallStep]

One of my girls is an unintended frizzle. Shes 4.5 and no longer lays. I’ve rescued her several times when she’s been puny. The last month she’s been avoiding the other birds, staying in the coop mostly while the others free range. Roosting in the coop instead of out in the covered yard in a pallet like her sister birds. Today I caught her for a more thorough inspection and discovered that the cartilage that I think is called a pygostyle has broken off, leaving a raw place. I soaked her in warm water and sprayed Bannix, a disinfectant on it. I let her back in the coop yard. There’s no way I can bandage it in that particular place. I think it could possibly heal but I worry about infection. I can isolate her in a dog kennel but I don’t know if I should. Any thoughts? Additional treatment? Thanks.

 

[coach723]

Can you post some pictures?

 

[SmallStep]

The tailbone, or cartilage may have been broken off for awhile as it has the texture of a dried up chicken wing. The stump where it was shows some raw skin and you can tell how it fit together

 

[Painted Calls]

Pictures of the stump would be most helpful.

 

[SmallStep]

I’ll see if I can get her again after I eat lunch.

 

[SmallStep]

Do these help?

 

[Painted Calls]

That actually looks like it's healing nicely.

 

[coach723]

It does look like it's healing well. Is the uropygial gland (or preen gland) intact and still there? It's on top near the base of the tail.

 

[SmallStep]

Well, no telling when it happened. Guess I will continue spraying with Bannix when I have chances. This little girl has had a bit of a hard time in life. She’s the “different” one and always sort of dismissed by the other hens. She’s feisty though and we’ve been supporting her for years. Hopefully, she’ll pull through again. Thanks.

 

[SmallStep]

It does look like it's healing well. Is the uropygial gland (or preen gland) intact and still there? It's on top near the base of the tail.
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