Raccoon attacked chicken

[Cooper88]

Hi there,

Last night a raccoon attacked one of my chickens. She has a superficial injury with a blood… she looks scared and slow… what do you think I should do? I didn’t put anything over the injury.

Thank you

 

[Isadora]

Would you include a picture of the wound so our experts can better assist you?

 

[Cooper88]

She is in the in the coop …. She is injured.

 

[Cooper88]

Any advice??

 

[Lenihan Farms]

It doesn't seem like a large injury, I would keep her isolated for a few days so you can monitor her. Keep the cut clean, and put antibiotic cream on it. Since its superficial it should heal quickly.

 

[Cooper88]

What kind of antibiotic. I am basically new on this.

 

[Mrs J]

Treat for shock as the number one
step. Give warm Gatoraid or mix a half
teaspoon of sugar into a fourth of a cup
of warm water with a pinch of salt and
baking soda. Have the patient drink it all
or syringe it into the beak.
2. Flush the wound well with saline. This
is better than soap and water as it
maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm soap and water will do. You need to wash away the bacteria from the wound.
3. Inspect the wound carefully. If it has a
skin flap dangling, keep that. Do not cut
it off. Look for bite, tear or puncture
marks indicating a puncture wound. If
you see this, the patient will need an oral
antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Bacteria
from the predator's mouth can be
injected deep into tissue and can kill in as
little as 24 to 48 hours.

 

[Cooper88]

Well, my chicken is still alive. She looks fine, she eats and drinks normal. The injury looks better. What do you think? When should I put her back with the other two?

 

[Cooper88]

Two pics.
I am cleaning the injuries twice a day and applying and antibiotic cream (from my son). It’s amazing, I live in the south shore of Boston and there are not vet clinics that treats chickens!!

 

[Lor]

Well, my chicken is still alive. She looks fine, she eats and drinks normal. The injury looks better. What do you think? When should I put her back with the other two?

If she seems to be doing fine you should be able to put her back with the others. Just check to make sure the others aren't pecking her wound.