rooster's head bleeding from having feathers picked -graphic photo

[mom2chicksandpups]

My Polish rooster has had a lot of feathers pulled out of his head all of a sudden and has a large raw red spot on top of his head. I just held him within the past couple of days and noticed that he had some feathers that were broken off, but it did not look bad at that time. We just noticed today that the top of his head is red and bald. My husband saw another rooster (which I plan to sell) pulling out the feathers and eating them.

I have separated my injured rooster in a chicken tractor with 1 of my very calm, docile pullets. I put triple antibiotic ointment on his head and plan to keep him in the tractor until his head heals and stops looking so red and raw. Is there anything else I can do to speed up his recovery? He seems fine, but I am worried about the raw spot on top of his head. He has a roof over him in the chicken tractor, so sunburn should not be a problem.

I will go out now and try to get a picture of him because I know that will be the first thing that someone asks me for. I will post it in a few minutes.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Good on separating him. Also watch his head to make sure no flies get to it if it's a sore. If they do, and maggots hatch, just wash them off with water and retreat. Keep him there for at least two days until the raw area dries over a bit. Are you planning on showing him? You could pull out the broken stubs of feathers with tweezers so that his feathers grow in more quickly to cover that area better.

Incidentally, if the rooster is eating his feathers, I'd look at your overall protein. Make sure it's about 16-18% minimum. ALso feeding a few whole (horse type, not oatmeal type) oats can help with fiber issues. Make sure they all have grit, granite grit, first. If you do that you could additionally hang a head of cabbage in with them now and again to give them something else to do - or shiny chain. Or broccoli spears. But first I'd be concerned with protein levels. Perhaps that will help prevent the feather eating urges.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Here is my poor rooster's head from the top:

Here is a different view to show that only the top of his head is sore.

And one more to show you what a beauty he is growing up to be. Can you see why my daughter named him Static? He is just starting to get in his rooster tail feathers.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

No, I won't show mine. He is just a pet.

Thanks for the tip on the protein. I will have to check with my husband on this. He has been buying their feed. I will go out and take a look at the bag.

A couple of days ago, I might have had broken feathers to pull out. Now, it seems that the other rooster has done that for me.

Poor Static! When I rubbed the antibiotic on his head, he closed his eyes and relaxed in my arms like it felt so good to him. (That's why his head looks shiny. It's the ointment.) It actually isn't as red now as it was a little while ago.

I ended up putting 2 of his girls with him after all. These 2 are best buddies and the one who did not get moved with the rooster was just not acting right without her sister, so I had to move her also. These 2 just lay around and don't bother anyone, so I don't think they will bother him. I will keep an eye on them, though. I think the 3 of them are happier since I moved them all in together.

 

[pheasantlady]

Birds will always peck at anything colored red. There is a product called black salve, probably available at your feed store. If you can't find it there, poultry supply houses online will have it. Being black, it conceals the red wound, discourages flies and facilitates the healing process. Threehorses gave you good advice regarding protein. Black sunflower seeds (Don't buy the striped ones.) are also a good source of protein. Birds in crowded conditions also tend to peck at each other.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

I will check into the black salve. Thanks for the advice.

They are not overcrowded for certain. I have a huge nice pen with lots of room! Even the tractor that they are temporarily in is large enough for a few chickens. (It's not very wide, but the run part of it is long.)