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Broken Blood Feather

Broken blood feathers are a potentially life-threatening emergency with requires immediate medical treatment.

Clinical Signs

Broken blood feather with excessive bleeding

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs

Treatment

NameSummary
Apply direct pressure over the bleeding feather to try to prevent excessive blood loss.

Coat with blood clotting agent (cornstarch, styptic powder) on the end of the broken area.

If bleeding persists, the feather shaft will need to be removed.
How to remove feather shaftUsing pliers or your fingers, gently pull the shaft straight out at its base (not at an angle or by wiggling it), while applying counter pressure to the surrounding area to prevent tearing the skin.

The follicle will remain, as it was under the pulled shaft.

Support

Scientific References

Risk Factors

  • Chickens with feathered feet are more at risk.