(Warning photos attached) Head injury on chick caused by older chicks and hen - worried about brain

Cirwin201

In the Brooder
Oct 31, 2018
29
49
46
Hi!
I recently had a couple chicks hatch in the coop and I found one with a slight head injury so I brought it inside. It somehow wiggled itself into the older chicks side of the brooder and they attacked it while I was out. The wound is pretty significant. They pecked at the entire head and it seems some of the brain or cerebellum might be showing around the bottom of head.

It’s still eating and drinking but seems to have balance issues. It’s been alive for 3 days after the attack.

Has anyone ever had a chick survive this or have any advice?

I’ve been spraying with antiseptic, it’s separated now, and it’s eating eggs and lots of vitamins through water.

Photos attached

Immediately after:
CCD7F4E3-D4D0-42A9-B055-2951B081D349.jpeg


Day 3:
2D977B4D-8C48-4B97-8B70-D6571A540F44.jpeg
 
She can recover, but it may take a long time to get her healed enough to go back with other chicks her age. I think her skull is showing. Spraying her head with wound spray and applying a plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day would be what I would do until her head heals. Is he back also wounded and draining? This pecking attacks are fairly common unfortunately, and by her being able to eat and drink, I think that she may live. Her brain is injured, but it will depend on how bad to know if ahe will be able to get around well enough to get food and water, and survive. A chick chair for a few hours at a time might be helpful. I would add some water to chick feed in a small bowl, and make it soft like oatmeal. Egg in small amounts is good, but the feed is well balanced. Here is a link with versions of chick chairs that you can make:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/
 
Oh, poor thing! I've never experienced this but if it is eating and drinking after three days of a vicious attack I would say, that chick is a fighter!

Is that her skull or antiseptic, the yellowish part?
 
Oh, poor thing! I've never experienced this but if it is eating and drinking after three days of a vicious attack I would say, that chick is a fighter!

Is that her skull or antiseptic, the yellowish part?
Right! I can’t believe she’s still alive so I’m giving her a chance. I’m not sure what that part is ugh. I tried googling photos online and sketches but I still can’t seem to figure it out
 
She can recover, but it may take a long time to get her healed enough to go back with other chicks her age. I think her skull is showing. Spraying her head with wound spray and applying a plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day would be what I would do until her head heals. Is he back also wounded and draining? This pecking attacks are fairly common unfortunately, and by her being able to eat and drink, I think that she may live. Her brain is injured, but it will depend on how bad to know if ahe will be able to get around well enough to get food and water, and survive. A chick chair for a few hours at a time might be helpful. I would add some water to chick feed in a small bowl, and make it soft like oatmeal. Egg in small amounts is good, but the feed is well balanced. Here is a link with versions of chick chairs that you can make:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

ah wow thank you so much!! She’s eating and drinking now but she’s definitely a little wobbly. So you think that might be her skull? Looks like they JUST started pecking at it whatever it is. I might’ve found her right in time. Another couple minutes and I’m not so sure. She seems like she is comfortable leaving on things (I put a sock in there for her to lean on lol)

I’ll continue spraying and putting antibiotic on it. Her back is fine. They only pulled her feathers on the back thank goodness. Looks like the skin was just peeled off of that bone maybe?
 
She can recover, but it may take a long time to get her healed enough to go back with other chicks her age. I think her skull is showing. Spraying her head with wound spray and applying a plain Triple Antibiotic Ointment twice a day would be what I would do until her head heals. Is he back also wounded and draining? This pecking attacks are fairly common unfortunately, and by her being able to eat and drink, I think that she may live. Her brain is injured, but it will depend on how bad to know if ahe will be able to get around well enough to get food and water, and survive. A chick chair for a few hours at a time might be helpful. I would add some water to chick feed in a small bowl, and make it soft like oatmeal. Egg in small amounts is good, but the feed is well balanced. Here is a link with versions of chick chairs that you can make:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

Ps. Sorry. Should I have her in regular heat for her age? I feel like the heat lamp is shining on her little raw head and it’s worrying me.
 

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