Raccoon visit! Hen in shock? Eye swollen. PLEASE HELP.

Hello - We have an 3 yo Americauna hen that was chased out of coop / attacked by raccoon 2 nights ago. She was presumed missing that night because we scoured the yard with flashlights and couldn't find her. The next morning our (very protective) dogs found her and barked for me. I went out and she had wedged herself head first into the corner of the fence down in one of the "hen-made" dust baths. (one of their favorite spots, usually)

I examined her right away and she had no apparent injuries, but had her eyes closed. She was strong enough to struggle, but then calmed when she realized she was safe with me.

I wrapped her in a towel and brought her inside and put her into a box in a quiet room with a small bowl of sugar water. At first I thought she was keeping her eyes closed because of fear and shock. Then I realized her right eye was swelling. She will let me open her left eye (gently) and she perks up a little when she sees her surrounds. The only thing I've done with right eye is wipe gently with warm water and apply neosporin.

She will not eat or drink on her own, she is lethargic and sleeps all day. If I come in and pick her up to feed or tend to her she will respond by struggling first, then quickly calms. I have been feeding her sugar water, thinned yogurt and "mash soup" (her regular layer mash made into an oatmealish mixture). She only eats a little at a time. Makes gurgling sounds after eating for a few minutes, then sleeps from exhaustion.

Has pale yellow, soft poo that stays around her vent so that I have to clean her up regularly.

Questions:

How do I know how much and how often and what to feed her?

How do I care for her eye?

Does this sound like shock?

PS - we spent all day yesterday fortifying the coop to protect our girls from predators.

Photo of her eye and her bed

Poor girl. She probably is still in shock. I would worry more about her getting enough fluids right now than pushing her food. Soft scrambled egg might be eaten. Hopefully she will eat when she feels like it. You can also crop feed her if she doesn't start eating soon. A piece of aquarium tubing from the pet section of some stores, and a large syringe can function as a crop feeding device. She may have an internal injury that is making her so sleepy, but I'm happy that you are taking such good care of her. A heatlamp light may help, or keep the room warm.

Thanks for the reply Do you know what is safe to give her for treating the eye injury/infection?

I think what you are doing for the eye is good. You can flush the eye with saline if it looks goopy, the Neosporin or Terramycin ointment from the feedstore (which may be off the market now) are great for the eyes to help prevent infection. It will take some time for her swelling to come down. How is she doing now?

I wish I could say much better. However, she is about the same. Still won't eat or drink on her own. I have been giving her sugar water from an eye dropper. She fights it a little, but does drink it. Seems to be making gurgling sounds...from her crop?? Can't tell if there is internal damage or not. Her head is very warm too. Vent and rear feathers are a mess. Is it OK to giver her a warm bath to clean her or will that freak her out? Not sure if she is in shock or weak from lack of food. So worried about her.

I would not put her through a bath at this time--it could be too stressful. Just wipe her off a little, and change her pad or bedding. Raggedy old towels or puppy pads are good to use. The gurglng sounds could be from the fluids not going down--be careful that she does aspirate or choke. How does her crop feel--full and squishy or empty? Here is a recipe for homemade electrolytes and a good link for instructions and videos on crop or tube feeding: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding

HOMEMADE ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION courtesy of TheChickenChick.com
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute*
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 gallon water
*Salt substitute is readily available in most stores in the spice aisle near the salt, but if you do not have it, don't worry, the solution will still have most of the benefits intended to combat heat stress.

Her crop seems a little squishy. How should it feel? I will try the electrolyte solution, thanks for the recipe.

UPDATE. I've been using the Neosporin on her eyes and today she finally opened them a little. She is letting me give her the electrolyte solution and thinned yogurt. She still won't eat on her own. Her poops are more green and less yellow. I tried to do the "upside down chicken" crop emptying technique. She let go of some air but no vomiting. I have been massaging her crop and it seems to be emptying...albeit SLOOOWWWLY.

I think we have turned the corner though. She will stand up when I bring her outside. Opens her eyes a little and tries to take a few steps.

I really would not massage her crop or try to get her to vomit. She is too sick, and I don't think that is her problem. Her crop is probably just slow to empty now because she is so ill--that is common. Can you try some fine chopped scrambled egg to see if she will eat that--most sick chickens will . Even raw egg is perfectly fine to add to her diet to get some protein in her. Good to hear that she is a little better.