Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: Ben_H on August 09, 2011, 07:21

Title: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: Ben_H on August 09, 2011, 07:21

I was trying a bit of hen taming last night and picked up our Cotswold Legbar Matilda after a bit of hide and seek. While stroking her I was horrified to see spots of blood falling to the ground and looking down I could see splashes of the dark red stuff on my sweatshirt and shorts. I frantically started checking her over to see where it was coming from and couldn't understand why she was so calm. After about 5 minutes I discovered that it was actually my blood from a thorn that was sticking out of my arm. It is a small hole but bled profusely.

All I can say is thank goodness for vanish!

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: joyfull on August 09, 2011, 08:06

you are lucky that she and the others didn't go frantic after the blood - anything red they love. Be careful that none of those thorns endu up in the chickens feet - this could lead to bumblefoot  :(

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: Ben_H on August 09, 2011, 08:15

Twas a hawthorn and must have stuck me as I was rooting in the hedge trying to retrieve the hiding hen. Hopefully they will remain on the tree and not the floor (or in me  ;) )

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: joyfull on August 09, 2011, 08:26

I normally end up getting stung by nettles - why do my birds never eat those instead of my veg  ::)

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: Ben_H on August 09, 2011, 10:03

I purposefully removed all the nettles from the run whilst building it. I did discover a bit of regrowth last night when Matilda tried to hide behind it but didn't have any gloves handy plus I had her cornered so  wanted to to concentrate on grabbing her

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: LittleRedHen on August 09, 2011, 14:17

Oh, I would have panicked too!  Glad you both are okay!

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: ANHBUC on August 09, 2011, 14:48

Hope that you are up to date with your Tetanus jab.   :unsure:

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: Ben_H on August 09, 2011, 15:51

Last time I went for a booster I was informed that I'd had enough to last me a lifetime. Suits me as I don't like injections.

I'm being a bit of a wuss over this thorn though, I keep having to poke at it to see if I have got the tip out as it's rather swollen and red.

I do like having the hedge within the hen run but it did cause me a lot of thorn grief when putting in the fencing.

Title: Re: OMG, the Blood!!!!
Post by: ANHBUC on August 09, 2011, 16:00

Try putting a poltice on it to draw out any nasties left in.  We use unscented soap softened with preboiled water and mushed up with sugar.  Cover with a plaster or (gauze and bandage if you want to get some sympathy)!  Leave it on overnight if you can and it should work a treat.   :D