Can injured chickens rehab together?

My 6mo old lab got into the run today while I was at work. He mauled every single chicken, killed one and severely injured 2. I have cleaned all my girls, and their wounds and they are locked in their coop for the night. I have dealt with an injured bird before and I know they need to be separated from the flock, but what is the deal when they are all hurt? Do I need to worry about them attacking each other - the weakest one? Can injured chickens rehab together?

Greetings from Kansas, Wheelergirls, and ! Pleased you joined our flock but sorry to,hear about your predicament. I am not sure of the answer to your question. I know the injured should be removed from the uninjured but the keeping injured apart? My instinct tells me you shouldn't rehab them together - that the stronger of the two will pick on the weaker - but again, I don't have experience upon which to base that. You might ask that question of the good folks in this link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

They might be able to. If they were mine I would just watch them and see how they do. There's something to be said for companionship in helping them to heal as they probably feel safer together. The two severely injured ones I would keep separated, although those two could probably be together too. Make sure you spoil them all a bit; give them some poultry vitamins, or poultry conditioner..maybe scrambled eggs or yogurt mixed with their food or applesauce or other goodies to keep them eating and cheerful, and make sure they are drinking as well.

Welcome to BYC and I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. Our dog killed one of our hens when we first got chickens. She was a Chow/ Shepherd mix. Fox a week or so after I took her out to the barn every day...showed her the chickens...and every time she showed any aggressiveness towards them at all I would tell her no no no and threaten her with a rolled up newspaper. When she killed the hen I showed the hen to her, scolded no no NO!! and smacked her with a rolled up newspaper several times. Some dogs just will never learn, but fortunately ours did learn, after a few days of training, and the chickens became her friends. She's crossed over the rainbow bridge now, and I miss her and the way she used to protect the flock. It is worth a try to teach your dog that chickens are taboo. .

Depends on the breed though. WE have a rescue hen from the stable where I ride. She's the only survivor from their flock; their dogs killed the rest.

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

I agree with Redsoxs, the least injured birds will attack the others. When chickens see blood or wounds, they will sometimes attack en masse and kill the others. Sometimes putting Blu-kote on the wounds will disguise them but, chickens like to peck . I would be best if you could separate them maybe in wire crates or making wire partitions so they can continue to see each other but, not cause any harm. Your dog got lucky, and he will likely look for every chance to repeat the carnage.

drumstick diva said:

I agree with Redsoxs, the least injured birds will attack the others. When chickens see blood or wounds, they will sometimes attack en masse and kill the others. Sometimes putting Blu-kote on the wounds will disguise them but, chickens like to peck . I would be best if you could separate them maybe in wire crates or making wire partitions so they can continue to see each other but, not cause any harm. Your dog got lucky, and he will likely look for every chance to repeat the carnage.

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This is an individual situation. Our flock free ranges. We have had chickens since 2005 and we have never, ever......had chickens attack en masse and try to kill another chicken. That does not mean that they will not...or that they are all all are like ours.. I'm just saying I have never experienced that and I believe there are a lot of factors to consider. But that is why I said to just watch and see. You should know within the first couple of minutes whether or not keeping them together will cause problems, or not. If there are some that are friends, those are the ones that I might be more likely to keep together, rather than throwing them all in together. I have seen flock members want to stay close to a sick or injured friend....more than once. We have multiple roosters and I have seen roosters try to drive off another rooster that is sick or injured...and one time we had a broody that tried to drive off one of her soon to be fledged chicks that developed a problem...but even with the roosters I have never seen them try to kill another.

Thank you for all your input. Currently I have the one who has the worst wounds separated and back in her brooder. She was the runt and often a target when we introduced the pullets and figured it was safest to keep her out. She likes people better than the other chickens anyways. The other I am currently leaving with the flock. She seems to be doing better this morning and her sisters are all around her seeming to be trying to protect her. I guess maybe I will just keep an eye and post what I learn from this and hopefully help someone in the future. Not that I wish this on anyone, but we all know it can be hard to protect our flocks and the more information the better. They are all still really shaken this morning and have not wanted to leave the comfort and safety of the coop which I can't blame them. They all are a little rough but they seem to be doing good together. I hadn't thought about spoiling my one in the brooder. I will be sure to do so! She was already my buddy and I have a feeling that through the tragedy we will be even closer. I truly hope my dog has learned. This is the first time he has been aggressive with the girls. We changed their run (as we do every season to give them more to graze on) and for some reason that made a difference. The only thing that gives me hope that we can break this is that he didn't eat or really bite into any of them. Unfortunately he is going through a destructive stage. I know people are quick to say get rid of him but I have love for him too and he is my little girls new puppy. For now we have punished him pretty much exactly as was recommended and fixed the small hole he somehow got through. Thanks again for the input.

Good luck with them! Just remember to make sure your coop and run are secure, because injured birds can also attract wild predators from the outside. Keep us posted.

Hello there and welcome to BYC! I am so sorry about your chickens! Best wishes!