2 chicks with an abscess on both wing joints

[redinator]

I know this isn't BYC, but since it's down atm I'm hoping some here can help.

This is one of my 4 week old chicks. Out of 9 this chick and one other one developed a bare patch of skin at the wing joint. Initially I wasn't concerned because they're all at the raggedy looking stage. A few days after I noticed it the bare spots scabbed over, but the chicks seemed fine and it wasn't tender to the touch and I didn't see and swelling so I let it be. Today one of the chicks wing joints is swollen and I'm not sure how, or if i should treat it.

If I treat or lance the abscess I'll have to bring the chicks inside (I'd bring in both even though the other seems fine atm) so I can keep the area clean while it heals.

I'm not opposed to bringing them inside for treatment, but we're at the later stages of integration and I'd likely have to start all over with these two by themselves, depending on how long it takes to heal.

 

[fuzzi]

I am puzzled, don't know. If you don't get a response here, tag @WorpRock on BYC.

 

[redinator]

I am puzzled, don't know. If you don't get a response here, tag @WorpRock on BYC.

It's currently down for updates.

 

[Finnie]

If it doesn’t seem to be hurting the chick, I would just leave it be and see what happens. It doesn’t really look too bad. Not yet at least. If the other birds aren’t picking on it and causing injury, then probably best to let them finish integrating and see whether these spots heal on their own or turn into something worse.

 

[Finnie]

It's currently down for updates.

She knows that. I think she meant to tag them after it goes back up.

 

[redinator]

If it doesn’t seem to be hurting the chick, I would just leave it be and see what happens. It doesn’t really look too bad. Not yet at least. If the other birds aren’t picking on it and causing injury, then probably best to let them finish integrating and see whether these spots heal on their own or turn into something worse.

I'm worried that when/if it ruptures the other chicks will undoubtedly start pecking it at.

 

[Finnie]

I'm worried that when/if it ruptures the other chicks will undoubtedly start pecking it at.

Well, that’s probably true. If it’s not easy for you to monitor it so you can swoop in and bring the chick inside if that were to happen, then I guess bringing the two chicks inside would be a good way to keep an eye on it. I still wouldn’t lance it though. Only as a last resort.

You might consider bringing 3 chicks in. If the unthinkable happens and the chick with the swelling doesn’t make it, it will be a little easier to reintegrate his friend, if the friend has a friend. Your call though, because two friends will undoubtedly pick on the wounded chick more than one friend will.

If it were me I would monitor them in place where they are and only swoop in if necessary.

 

[redinator]

Well, that’s probably true. If it’s not easy for you to monitor it so you can swoop in and bring the chick inside if that were to happen, then I guess bringing the two chicks inside would be a good way to keep an eye on it. I still wouldn’t lance it though. Only as a last resort.

You might consider bringing 3 chicks in. If the unthinkable happens and the chick with the swelling doesn’t make it, it will be a little easier to reintegrate his friend, if the friend has a friend. Your call though, because two friends will undoubtedly pick on the wounded chick more than one friend will.

If it were me I would monitor them in place where they are and only swoop in if necessary.

I gave both these chicks a bit of egg yolk with nutri drench to give them a nutritional boost. Since they're now with the older chicks in the run and have more space it seems to be improving. My assumption is these two were being perched on by the other chicks, even though there were chicks perches in the pen. I guess now that they have more space they aren't being perched on.