Swollen neck and head thanks to wound

[Mariskaklap]

hi all!

A while back we discovered a tiny scab on the neck of my chicken. We treated it with aluspray but she kept scratching at it. Now it looks like this. Her neck and face is all swollen and she keeps scratching. We put bandages on it and that seemed to help a little bit. We decided to air it out, but now it's all bloody and scratched open again. Put bandages on it again to keep her from disrupting again. We don't know what else we can do. Shall we wait it out?

She is eating and drinking water, and doesn't seem to be sick. We treat the wound with aloë vera spray and she has Apple cider vinegar to help boost her imune system. The swollen part is soft and doesn't feel hot like an infection.

Some advice?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

She has really been scratching or the others have been pecking her face and neck. Does the area under her right eye feel solid or soft? Can you separate her with the others, but inside a wire crate with food and water? Can you see any lice or mites (or their eggs) anywhere on her skin? I would apply some plain antibiotic ointment or Betadine on the bloody wound twice a day. Vicks or menthol ointment are good for itching, but avoid the eyes. Her comb and face a fairly pale. Do you see dry skin or any white chalky patches? Is her ear canal clear on the right side just behind the eye in the poofy feathers or is there any gunk inside it?

 

[Mariskaklap]

She has really been scratching or the others have been pecking her face and neck. Does the area under her right eye feel solid or soft? Can you separate her with the others, but inside a wire crate with food and water? Can you see any lice or mites (or their eggs) anywhere on her skin? I would apply some plain antibiotic ointment or Betadine on the bloody wound twice a day. Vicks or menthol ointment are good for itching, but avoid the eyes. Her comb and face a fairly pale. Do you see dry skin or any white chalky patches? Is her ear canal clear on the right side just behind the eye in the poofy feathers or is there any gunk inside it?

We think she does it herself, because we don't see the others pecking at her and she is constantly scratching herself. Nevertheless, to be certain she is now secluded. She is eating a lot, though. I guess she needs all the nutrients to recover.
We don't see mites or eggs, and her ear is clear. The paleness is due to the cold, I think. The others also go a little bit pale in the winter. No dry skin or patches. The swollen area's feel soft.

We cleaned the wound again with lukewarm water and put betadine on it, because I live in the Netherlands and antibiotic ointments aren't widely available.

Thanks for the tip! We'll see where this goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

I find that menthol in some ointments or gels can ease my own itchy dry skin in winter. Vicks, Arthritis creams, such as BenGay and Icy Hot, or mentholatum are a few brands here in the US. You might get some and try rubbing some on her skin. It also would probably be good for preventing others to peck her.

 

[amarsano]

I’d try warm compresses too. It could be lymph fluid collecting. I use something called Curicyn wound clay on open wounds like that. It fills the wound and seems to make a big difference with their itching.

 

[Kiki]

View attachment 4035873hi all!

A while back we discovered a tiny scab on the neck of my chicken. We treated it with aluspray but she kept scratching at it. Now it looks like this. Her neck and face is all swollen and she keeps scratching. We put bandages on it and that seemed to help a little bit. We decided to air it out, but now it's all bloody and scratched open again. Put bandages on it again to keep her from disrupting again. We don't know what else we can do. Shall we wait it out?

She is eating and drinking water, and doesn't seem to be sick. We treat the wound with aloë vera spray and she has Apple cider vinegar to help boost her imune system. The swollen part is soft and doesn't feel hot like an infection.

Some advice?

Can you take a picture of her other side/eye?

 

[Mariskaklap]

I’d try warm compresses too. It could be lymph fluid collecting. I use something called Curicyn wound clay on open wounds like that. It fills the wound and seems to make a big difference with their itching.

How would I use a warm compress? I clean the wound with warm water and a towel and she doesn't seem to mind that. She is now out of the cold and is inside. Maybe that should also be better.

 

[Eggcessive]

To use a warm wet compress, run it under very warm water and wring it out well. Keep it folded up and place it onto the area while holding the chicken in a towel on your lap. Hold it there about 10 minutes. Re-warm it as needed.