Barred rock fading

[CuddlesWithChickens]

Hi all, I've followed this forum for a year and a half, but only just registered. I really need some ideas here. We have been having predator problems and we finally got things straightened out there...we think. But, I have this barred rock that I thought was just in shock from the middle of the night coop attacks by a bobcat. Well, it's been four days and each day she is worse. She first began just standing by herself and eventually started listing to one side and curling her head down into her chest. She was walking fine but I've yet to see her walk today. I picked her up and brought her inside for a while. She is now in a dog crate and just sitting there. I've given her water and some chick starter cuz it's smaller. Going to make her some scrambled eggs in a few minutes. I don't know what to do here. Oh, also she is keeping her eyes closed and occasionally will open her right eye but never the left, that I have seen. Also, I she does have missing feathers on her back from being overbred which has been taken care of now since that rooster was killed by our predator. But, i noticed on her back in that same area that there is broken skin. It's not red or bleeding. It's just like the outer layer of skin is just torn. I don't know if that's too much info and it's not related, but I'm willing to share everything I can think of to try to find out what is going on here. ALSO, I have one other hen who we believe was involved with the bobcat attack and she's been all standoffish and standing by herself for over a week now, but she is not acting like the barred rock. There are other injuries to my flock and I can share if that info will help, but i feel like I'm getting into the weeds here unless someone thinks that info will help...

ETA: She is approximately 16 months old.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens that lose flock mates can become quite depressed. Sometimes permanently.
The first thing I would do is look over every millimeter of the rock to see if she has any puncture wounds.

 

[dawg53]

I agree with ChickenCanoe. There is an unseen critical injury with your Barred Rock, probably internally. It looks like she's on her way out to me.

 

[CuddlesWithChickens]

So this is the only injury that I've ever been able to find on her. It looks old, but it could be from when the first attacks began nearly a month ago. With 34 critters to check out at the start of all this, it was inevitable that I'd miss something. Can she really be this injured from such a small wound?

In the photo there are two "open" areas in her skin that look like they've been that way for a while. And one where there is a curved, can't think of a good word, but I guess, scar. Can this really cause her problems?

Sorry, guys, I am just really inexperienced in diagnosing and even explaining these problems. I just had so much flock damage & death since the beginning of July to predators. I'm all over the place about this. I have one hen I'm treating a wound on and one other hen and my only rooster left with a limp (Both seem to be getting better) And I still have a dazed hen that won't come out of the coop unless I make her and then she hides. Wish someone would have told me how hard it could get...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If it got infected, yes. The bite could have introduced a bacteria to the system. Either that or she has some other disease. It wouldn't be a bad idea to send her to your state poultry diagnostic lab for humane euthanasia and necropsy. That way you'll know for sure what is afflicting her and if any of your other birds are in jeopardy.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
What state are you in?

 

[Eggcessive]

Her neck and some movements sound a little like wry neck. Even though she may have something major going on, or just so stressed or frightened from the bobcat attacks, I would try some vitamins including A, thiamine, and some chopped egg for selenium, just in case the neck and listing to the side may be wry neck related. Wry neck can occur with vitamin deficiency, head injuries, and in certain diseases, such as Mareks. It depends on how far you want to go with treatment, if you should want to attempt tube feeding her. I would offer some wet chicken feed, egg, tuna, or liver to tempt her to eat.

 

[CuddlesWithChickens]

If it got infected, yes. The bite could have introduced a bacteria to the system. Either that or she has some other disease. It wouldn't be a bad idea to send her to your state poultry diagnostic lab for humane euthanasia and necropsy. That way you'll know for sure what is afflicting her and if any of your other birds are in jeopardy.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
What state are you in?

I am in WA state. She is barely moving this morning, my heart is breaking. I feel like I failed her.

 

[CuddlesWithChickens]

Her neck and some movements sound a little like wry neck. Even though she may have something major going on, or just so stressed or frightened from the bobcat attacks, I would try some vitamins including A, thiamine, and some chopped egg for selenium, just in case the neck and listing to the side may be wry neck related. Wry neck can occur with vitamin deficiency, head injuries, and in certain diseases, such as Mareks. It depends on how far you want to go with treatment, if you should want to attempt tube feeding her. I would offer some wet chicken feed, egg, tuna, or liver to tempt her to eat.

Do all cases of wry neck present the same? This doesn't seem the same. But, I've only ever had one case of it here. I was able to treat that hen and she's doing great now. I cannot get her to eat at all. I am giving her water and she takes that. I will add some vitamins to the water. :-(

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I am in WA state. She is barely moving this morning, my heart is breaking. I feel like I failed her.

Don't beat yourself up. There isn't much you could have done. Since she is likely on death's door, it would be better for her and your other birds to send her for a necropsy.
Putting her down and having lab work done at a state lab is less expensive than at a vet.
If you call the lab, they'll tell you how to proceed. If she dies, they may send you a FedEx label. Keep the carcass refrigerated.

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Bustad Hall, Rm 155-N
Pullman, Washington 99164-7034
Phone: 509-335-9696

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Puyallup
2607 W Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371-4919
Phone 253-445-4537

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chicken. It is possible to tube feed them and keep them alive, but it sounds like she may be suffering. If it is something internal such as an injury, or other illness, there may not be much else you could do. I would also recommend a necropsy if she dies, just to rule out Mareks or something else infectious.