2 injured after fox attack. Question

[jtbrown]

We lost 10 hens to our first fox attack (presumed -- not bodies just patches of feathers here and there) and I found 3 hens that made it but took injuries. 21 were left alone thank goodness. One golden comet was not rattled and had minimally noticeable wounds and i put back in with others in 1 day. The other two are taking longer.

They had a large area of feathers removed from neck (both EE hens so lots of feathers near head). Small puncture wounds that I cleansed and used plain neosporin on. I kept them in separate brooders with food and water and they just sat there hanging their head. They really only responded if i tried to move them. I then put them in together in large brooder and gave them scrambled eggs today. Each took a few bites but mostly just sat there. They do sit close to each other and have no open wounds to pick at. They have no abscesses, the wounds look good, some bruising, their eyes are clear. The attack was Thursday and it is Sunday now. They both laid an egg the first day and one laid an egg yesterday but no eggs today.

I have a few questions since I have been keeping a flock for a little over a year now and have never had an injury.

Is this "shock" state normal? They are acting the same (as each other) so I think it may be but any input would be appreciated.

I took them in to their coop with the other girls and for 15 minutes they hung head low while normal coop activity took place. I couldn't leave them like that so I put them back in brooder. They are pooping,seem to be drinking some. Not much food gone at all.

Is this normal? They do not appear to be suffering as far as no rapid breathing etc., not appear to be in pain, but are looking so strange.

Thanks in advance

 

[Judy]

Yes, the "shock" state is quite normal. They can be in such shock they appear dead until you pick them up. And it can take them a while to recover, a day or two, or much longer. They will benefit from the company of others in the flock who are acting normally, if possible.

If they are eating and drinking, they may survive. Wash any wounds and treat with a little antiseptic or antibiotic much as you would your own wounds, except never use a medication with a "caine" drug in it, such as cetacaine, benzocaine, etc. A little BluKote can be convenient, as it turns a bloody looking wound bluish purple, which the others won't be as curious about as they would red. (You didn't ask about wounds, but did mention this is new for you, and really, that's about all you need to know.)

 

[jtbrown]

Thank you, I will continue to watch wounds and make sure they are okay, and will work on keeping them as normal as possible. They were not 2 of my friendlier birds anyway, so they aren't really used to being handled. I will keep my fingers crossed these girls come out of it. I was prepared (as much as I can be from reading here) for blood and gore from the attacks, I didn't count on the stupor/shock that I am seeing. I needed to know if this was normal and what to do, thanks so much flockwatcher.

 

[1hotmoma]

I have one with an open wound and one with a broke leg after a fox attack last night. I know I can clean the wound but a broke leg. If they were older I would just have hubby take care of them but they are only 2 months old.

 

[jtbrown]

I hope someone else comes along to answer your question. I have a bunch of 2 month olds now, if leg broken I would try to splint it, but will have to defer to those with more experience. So sorry you had this happen. I have penned up the girls and they are okay but I really like free ranging them, so plan on trying to find the culprit. For now am scared they could be gotten even inside their run. I left the corgi outside guarding the coop.

Update on my injured ones -- this morning they verbalized to me when I walked into brooder room!!! One even jumped out of brooder while I was examining her friend! I put them in with the others, they had some interest from the other girls briefly but then ate and drank and went outside into the run. Yippee! Seems like they are on the mend. Thanks for the reassurance, I waited several days before asking thinking it was normal and then as soon as I ask they snapped out of it. Thanks again

 

[rikithemonk]

I have one with an open wound and one with a broke leg after a fox attack last night. I know I can clean the wound but a broke leg. If they were older I would just have hubby take care of them but they are only 2 months old.

Just curious how you treated the broken leg?

 

[SallyMama]

Yes..me too! How did you treat the broken leg???

 

[lindyloo06]

We had an attack last night lost one hen but this morning all the hens have wounds. It appears that the fox tried to dig into the run on four occasions but then chewed through two layers of the strongest wire mesh we have around and over the run, then he met have nuzzled the coop door up and had a go at the lot!,, I have left the hens for today to rest and have given them mealy worms and grapes which they seem to b nibbling on. I can't assess the wounds until tomorrow when I think that they will be calmer. This is the second attack I've had in just 8 years so I think I'm lucky. We live in a town centre so my poor neighbours must have been woken up by the shrieking of my poor hens!!

 

[Heavenbomb]

Just curious, sorry if this is a bit of a necro but if op is still around I have a question. Were the hens you lost friends or yard buddies with the hens who were injured? You can pm me or whatever if you want. Thanks!

 

[Weeg]

I have one with an open wound and one with a broke leg after a fox attack last night. I know I can clean the wound but a broke leg. If they were older I would just have hubby take care of them but they are only 2 months old.

You can use a finger splint to splint it, and make a chicken sling for her to sit in while she recovers! Make sure to giver her vitamins and minerals while she is recovering.