It goes without saying, but treating any injury in your wounded gamefowls is very important. They may become lethargic and lose their appetite, further weakening their system which can then lead to infection and death.
If you find that your gamefowl’s skin has been cut or torn after a battle, treat it as soon as possible. Chicken skin tears easily because it is extremely thin. Plus, bleeding wounds are very attractive to other aggressive chickens. So ensure to give it immediate attention.
With that, here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can properly treat your wounded gamefowls:
Step 1
You can decrease the amount of time you will be working on the bird by being prepared and having a first aid kit ready. It should contain the following materials:
- Saline solution
- Syringe
- Cornstarch
- Blue Kote
- Self-sticking bandages or vet wraps
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Vitamins and electrolytes
- Tweezers
- Betadine solution
- Cotton buds
- Old towels
- Super-glue
- Scissors
- Flash light
Step 2
Be calm. Your gamefowls can sense panic which can further stress them out. If you are in a noisy public area, move to a more secluded location.
Step 3
Don’t forget to wear disposable gloves to protect yourself from transmissible infections. To begin treating shallow wounds, clean and assess the injury first with hydrogen peroxide. If the wound won’t stop bleeding, use cornstarch or pressure to stop it.
Step 4
Flush the wounds with betadine solution and spray with Blue Kote, an antiseptic aerosol spray that camouflages wounds by turning it dark blue. This also helps to prevent cannibalism in poultry as birds tend to peck at open wounds that show red.
Step 5
Temporarily house the wounded gamefowl in a clean, separate area, away from other flock members. This can be a quiet area inside the house or garage that can be predator-proof, lined with soft bedding, and easily located for regular observation. Make sure to check for any possible infections several times a day. If an infection sets in, clean the wounds two to three times a day. If the weather is warm, apply a wound dressing to prevent flies from laying eggs on the wound.
Step 6
Provide easy access to water. Water is vital in a chicken’s metabolism and dehydration can lengthen their recovery period. You can even add vitamins and electrolyte supplements for a day or two to help them recoup from shock and heat stress.
Step 7
If your wounded gamefowl has deep punctures, it’s best to take them to a veterinarian so they can administer proper care.
For more tips on proper gamefowl care, click here.
SOURCES:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/chicken-first-aid/
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazine.com/health-and-wellness/first-aid-for-chickens
