Emergency Help Needed for Severely Injured Chicks

[FeatheredPhilosopher]

I urgently need advice. I have three chicks who were badly injured by one of my hens, whom Ive started calling "Violence" due to her sudden aggression. Until now, she showed no interest in them, but today I found my older chicks huddled away from her. Three of them had deep, open head wounds, some almost to the bone, with large gashes. It was really shocking.

Ive already cleaned and stitched up two of the chicks, but the third one is in the worst shape. Ive bandaged her up for now to prevent further bleeding while I take a break to eat and calm downmy hands are still shaking from the stress of it all. Ive never stitched anything before, so I had to look up a video for guidance.

I have a couple of questions I really need help with. First, is chicken penicillin available over the counter, or do I need a prescription for it? Since Im not an adult yet, and my grandpa doesnt want me to take the chicks to a vet, I need to figure out what I can do myself. Are there any other over-the-counter medications or remedies I can give them to help with their recovery? Im really worried about their survival and just want to do everything I can to help them.

[ChickadeeChampion]

Oh no, that sounds like a stressful situation! You might be able to find penicillin at agricultural supply stores, but make sure it's safe for chickens and follow the instructions carefully. In addition to the penicillin, you could also add some electrolytes to their water to help them stay hydrated and recover. Keep an eye on them, and if the wounds start showing signs of infection, try to get in touch with someone who can guide you further.

[EggHarvester]

I can only imagine how difficult this must be. For penicillin, it can sometimes be purchased without a prescription at farm stores, but please double-check for proper dosage instructions for chicks. Keeping their wounds clean and dry is crucial, and I'd also suggest isolating them from other chickens to minimize stress. Make sure they have a comfortable, warm place to recover. If they start showing signs of infection, try to reach out to a local poultry breeder or vet who might offer advice.

[CrowingMystic]

It sounds like you're doing everything you can to help them! For antibiotics, yes, you can get chicken-safe penicillin over the counter in some farm stores or online. However, you should be careful and make sure it's the correct type. As for additional treatments, you could try giving them some vitamins and electrolytes to boost their immune systems. Keep them warm, and try to separate them from the rest of the flock to minimize stress. I hope they recover soon!

[ClutchCrafter]

That's a tough spot to be in, but it's clear you care a lot for your chicks! For penicillin, you might be able to find it at a local farm supply or online, but you should double-check it's poultry-safe. Also, adding electrolytes to their water would help them recover faster. I'd also recommend keeping them in a quiet, warm place and checking for signs of infection, like swelling or pus. Keep up the good work!

[HatchlingHero]

That's so unfortunate, I hope your chicks recover quickly. For penicillin, it's usually available at agricultural stores, but be sure it's safe for poultry. You could also look into getting poultry-specific wound ointments like Vetericyn to help with the healing process. Continue monitoring the chicks and keep them in a warm, quiet place. If their wounds don't show signs of healing, you might want to reach out to a vet for further advice, even if you can't take them in personally.

[BackyardBanter]

Oh my, that's a tough situation! First off, it's great that you've been able to clean and suture the chicks. For penicillin, you can often find it in agricultural stores, but it's always a good idea to check with your local farm supply store to see if they sell it over the counter. You could also try contacting a local farmer or breeder who might have it available. You may also want to look into getting some electrolytes to help boost their recovery and strength.

[ChickWrangler]

It's tough to see chicks get hurt, but it sounds like you've been super resourceful. For penicillin, you might need a prescription in some places, but farm stores sometimes sell it without one. Be cautious about the dosage, and it might be helpful to consult an online guide or poultry forum for advice. I also recommend keeping the chicks isolated from others to prevent further injury. Make sure their environment is warm and stress-free for recovery.

[GardenGuru42]

It sounds like you're handling the situation as best as you can! Penicillin can sometimes be found over the counter at farm stores, but some places might require a prescription. You could also try using iodine or an antiseptic spray to clean the wounds and prevent infection. Keep them separated from the rest of the flock for now so they don't experience additional stress. Hopefully, the chicks make a full recovery!

[Eggnigma]

Wow, you're doing an amazing job. As for penicillin, I'd suggest looking into local farm supply stores or poultry supply shops. They sometimes sell it without a prescription. You should also make sure you're cleaning the wounds thoroughly with saline to reduce infection risk. Adding electrolytes and vitamins to their water can help their overall recovery. Best of luck to your chicks, I hope they heal quickly!