Why does my chicken have a swollen, red wound? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

A swollen, red wound on a chicken usually means the skin has been damaged and is reacting to irritation, pecking or infection. It can look worrying, but there are a few common reasons this happens and some straightforward things you can check at home.

The most important step is to look closely at the area and your chicken’s behaviour, then decide whether it seems like a minor surface wound or something that needs a vet’s help.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the wound is new or whether the redness and swelling are getting worse.

2. Look for discharge, dampness, scabs, bad smell or yellowish material around the area.

3. See if the chicken is being pecked by others or if the wound is in a spot that’s easy for flockmates to target.

4. Check whether the skin feels hotter than the surrounding area or seems painful when touched.

5. Notice if the chicken is eating, drinking, moving and preening as usual.

6. Look for signs of flies, maggots or dirty bedding, especially in warm weather.

7. Check the coop and run for sharp edges, wire, perches or rough surfaces that could have caused the injury.

Common Causes

The most common cause is a peck, scrape or small cut that has become inflamed. Chickens can peck at any break in the skin, which can quickly make a wound red and puffy.

Another common cause is a wound that has started to get infected. This may happen if dirt, droppings or moisture have got into the area, or if the chicken has been pecking at it.

Sometimes the problem starts with feather loss, skin irritation or a minor injury that’s hard to spot at first. Less commonly, a swelling that looks like a wound may be an abscess or another skin problem rather than a simple cut.

What To Do

Separate the chicken from flockmates if it’s being pecked or if other birds keep troubling the area. Keep the bird somewhere clean, dry and quiet while you monitor it.

Check the coop, bedding and run for anything that could keep irritating the wound. A cleaner environment can help reduce the risk of further contamination while the area heals.

If the wound is small and the bird is bright in itself, keep a close eye on it for changes in swelling, redness, discharge or behaviour. If it starts looking worse rather than better, get veterinary advice.

When To Contact A Vet

Contact your vet if the swelling is spreading, the wound is deep, there is pus or a strong smell, your chicken seems unwell, or the area is very painful. You should also get help if flies have been around the wound, the bird is stopped from eating or moving normally, or the injury is not improving within a day or two.

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