Bobcat attacked my hen

[Happy Hooves Ranch]

Hi,
We are new to this forum and need some help.
One of our hens survived a bobcat attack. She lost many back end feathers, had a high fever for a few days.
She just finished a course of antibiotics. Seems stable, is eating food that is presented to her and drinking a little water.
She's not real inclined to take up these eating and drinking things on her own.
She is recouperating in our bathroom. Has watery poos with some hard matter mixed in.

So our question: should her feathers grow back? And can a chicken recover from a traumatic event like this?
She's getting around ok, clucks and talks, can fly to roost.

Thanks!!!!

 

[centrarchid]

Depends on nature of wounds. Feather loss alone can be replaced with molt. Can you provide a picture of damaged areas?

 

[JOSEYWALES]

She should recover and be fine. Best of luck! Just keep her away from Bobcats.

 

[CMV]

I wish it was under better circumstances.

How many days ago did this happen? If she survived the first week to 10 days after the injury, then she's likely going to make it.

Chickens are tough as an old boot. They can withstand phenomenal injuries with nary a cluck. Their ability to heal from these injuries is nothing short of miraculous. She will re-grow her feathers eventually if she didn't lose her follicles. She may not get them back until after her next molt, though. Feed her lots of protein-rich foods to help in healing and feather regrowth- yogurt, scrambled eggs, sunflower seeds, cat food in limited quantities.

Good luck with her. I hope she continues to recover.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

what happened to the cat?

 

[Happy Hooves Ranch]

Hi everyone!!!


Thanks for the great responses!
The attack happened Monday a week ago. We've been feeding her a protien rich diet, water through an eye dropper and just this evening she started eating on her own and wanting to roost on a higher perch.
She is relly on the mend!

Jim and julie

 

[Happy Hooves Ranch]

Oh, and I did witness the attack. It was much clucking and commotion and her gallant rooster came to her rescue. Our 1 year old great pyrenees missed the whole thing!
It was a nice silver cat, I chased it up the hill and he had a mouth full of feathers.

please note we are all about living with the local wildlife and have no desire for predator control. ie killing bobcats and mountain lions.
Last year we lost a pet goat to a mountsain lion and then started locking up the animals at night and also adopted a Great pyrenees puppy who is the joy of our family farm life.

J and J

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
If you do not wish to eradicate the predator then spray your chicken coops inside and out every night with ammonia Spray your perimeter as well. Pure 100% ammonia spray it up on the boards about 1 foot off ground this will act as a marker Bobcats are very very territorial cats If they even thinkthere is another cat there it will move away. However Females usually boarder territorys with males this allows them to breed as bobcats are loners it is not uncommon to se a mother and her cubs and a male during breeding season and a couple weeks there after but after that they will split ways there hunting radius is 1- 15 miles typically But it can expand as far as 1-50 miles depending on food avalibility. Hope this helps some.

 

[panner123]

You may not wish to shoot any wildlife (bobcats/mountain lion/bear) to protect your critters. But I do suggest you keep a VERY close eye on any small children you may have. These 3 plus coyotes WILL help themselves to the children. More so with the coyotes. Some will disagree with me, but a few times per year you will see on the news that this does happen.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
yup small prey is what there after a child in there eyes is clumbsy small prey it does happen more so now with the release of wolves the red coyote is a hybrid yote and has been known to attack humans in packs.