sweetlittlehens
Hatching
We have a flock of 5 young hens (born in Feb) that free range on .25 acre. They are only in the coop at night when they put themselves to bed and we open it at day break in the morning so they shouldn't be stressed. We keep the coop clean and they have fresh water and layer crumbles as well as regular treats from the kitchen.
A couple days ago, our Black Australorp (Tiny) was not on the roosting bar when we went to close the coop at night and was standing on the floor facing the door. Odd, we thought. After 2 nights of this, there was a horrible commotion in the back yard. I came out and the lowest bird went running across the yard and Tiny was 6 feet away making loud vocalizations. The other 3 higher ranking birds ran towards them. I didn't think much of it until my son found Tiny hiding next to the waterer and her eyes were swollen shut with a little blood around them.
We live near the open space and there are lots of predators, could a hawk have done this? Her sister hens? She doesn't have any other bodily harm that I can tell and has still laid eggs since the attack.
We have her on antibiotics and she got a little pain medication from the vet. She isn't really eating though, so I'm worried she is drinking water and I made another mix of soupy crumbles. I've managed a few blueberries in her gullet but she fights me on it.
I've separated her and she stays with me in the kitchen, in case she's sick and to prevent the others from attacking.
I took her outside yesterday to feel the sun on her body and get fresh air and she is standing and walking some, but she mostly sleeps all day.
I don't know what else I can do for her, please help! My son is distraught because he saved for almost 4 years for his flock and we took her to the vet on Saturday, his 7th birthday, and he was in tears "I can't lose my chicken on my birthday!" So far, she's hanging in there, but I want to do everything I can to help her get better and be able to rejoin her sisters.
Thanks in advance!
A couple days ago, our Black Australorp (Tiny) was not on the roosting bar when we went to close the coop at night and was standing on the floor facing the door. Odd, we thought. After 2 nights of this, there was a horrible commotion in the back yard. I came out and the lowest bird went running across the yard and Tiny was 6 feet away making loud vocalizations. The other 3 higher ranking birds ran towards them. I didn't think much of it until my son found Tiny hiding next to the waterer and her eyes were swollen shut with a little blood around them.
We live near the open space and there are lots of predators, could a hawk have done this? Her sister hens? She doesn't have any other bodily harm that I can tell and has still laid eggs since the attack.
We have her on antibiotics and she got a little pain medication from the vet. She isn't really eating though, so I'm worried she is drinking water and I made another mix of soupy crumbles. I've managed a few blueberries in her gullet but she fights me on it.
I've separated her and she stays with me in the kitchen, in case she's sick and to prevent the others from attacking.
I took her outside yesterday to feel the sun on her body and get fresh air and she is standing and walking some, but she mostly sleeps all day.
I don't know what else I can do for her, please help! My son is distraught because he saved for almost 4 years for his flock and we took her to the vet on Saturday, his 7th birthday, and he was in tears "I can't lose my chicken on my birthday!" So far, she's hanging in there, but I want to do everything I can to help her get better and be able to rejoin her sisters.
Thanks in advance!