Bobcat attacks, need advice

[Eighty806]

The

bobcat attacked my flock 2 days ago around 6pm. We think it's a pair of bobcats together. One of them had my rooster in his mouth and my husband chased the bobcat and the bobcat jumped the 6' wall with the rooster. After a bit of the chase, the bobcat dropped the rooster. My husband picked up the rooster and found him to be alive. My husband put him in the coop and the rooster walked a little and tried to jump up to his usual roosting spot but unable to because it was too high. My husband left him in the coop for the nigh. Yesterday morning, husband found the rooster was on his side in the coop. My husband took him back to the house and put him in a box, he couldn't lift his head, couldn't stand, preferred to lean to his right side. Hubby gave him water and wet feed periodically. I came home from a business trip last night and started giving the rooster water and feed every hour until I went to bed. This morning, the rooster seemed more alert, struggled a couple of times to move. I started with the water and wet feed routine again this morning at 6. I hold him up under my arm to feed him and he is alert and looked around like he normally do, he just can't stand. I checked his whole body, surprisingly, no blood, no wound, no punctures from the bobcat attack. Maybe I missed it somewhere. His legs have strength but not the usual leg muscle resistance that I normally feel when I pick him up or put him down. Does anyone have similar experience or advice for me? Hopefully the picture can show that he leans forward.

 

[sbhkma]

I would check him over very thoroughly again. Odds are there are wounds somewhere. I'd also start him on antibiotics due to the high likelihood of infection. Do his legs and wings feel normal-movement in them seem typical? If you put your fingers under his feet, can he grasp his toes around them?

 

[Eighty806]

I would check him over very thoroughly again. Odds are there are wounds somewhere. I'd also start him on antibiotics due to the high likelihood of infection. Do his legs and wings feel normal-movement in them seem typical? If you put your fingers under his feet, can he grasp his toes around them?

I just checked his wings, they seemed OK, not broken. Both can spread out and retract back in place. He can grasp his toes around my fingers, not strong, more like curled and stretched and curled again type. He spits out thick saliva when he drinks. I feel a small crop and hear grumbling noise from him, like when humans are hungry. Most concerning is he can't lift his head up. He leans down to drink and eat. When I hold him, his head leans down.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would suspect that he was squeezed and possibly has nerve damage and/or internal injuries. Sometimes you may not find visible wounds/blood from an attack.

The only thing you can do at this point is either have a vet check him for anything broken or take a "wait and see approach" while offering supportive care. Offer him some poultry vitamins or electrolytes, keep him in a fairly warm place. Make sure he is staying hydrated and eating. He may benefit from some extra protein like egg, tuna or meat in addition to his normal feed.

Keep us posted.

 

[Eighty806]

I would suspect that he was squeezed and possibly has nerve damage and/or internal injuries. Sometimes you may not find visible wounds/blood from an attack.

The only thing you can do at this point is either have a vet check him for anything broken or take a "wait and see approach" while offering supportive care. Offer him some poultry vitamins or electrolytes, keep him in a fairly warm place. Make sure he is staying hydrated and eating. He may benefit from some extra protein like egg, tuna or meat in addition to his normal feed.

Keep us posted.

Thank you. I have been giving him electrolytes in his water. Will make some eggs and see if he will eat it. He has been eating chick medicated food (I just had some chicks hatched a week ago), I made a paste and he has been eating it. I also gave him some yogurts, he likes that. I rolled up a hand towel and put it under his neck to elevated him a bit. He has not made any sound since he was hurt. My vet, who is an exotic animal vet won't be in until Mon. I hope my rooster lasts until he can see the vet. Thank you for your input.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's good if he will eat the chick starter - mine seem to love it wet too. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for him. Giving his neck some support is a good idea.
Could be nerve damage or possibly really sore, it's just really hard to know.

I hope he improves.

 

[Eighty806]

He is more alert today. Still can't stand on his own. I rolled up a hand towel and propped his head up so this morning when I checked on him, he had his head up a little unlike the last couple days, always droop his head down. However, he drooped his head again after the day progresses. I put him in a box and put him in the coop in the hopes of raising his spirit. The rest of the chicken stayed away from him and he did not react any differently. So I guess that's too human of a gesture for him. He is going to the vet tomorrow and see if he will recover or he is paralyzed. I hope he recovers. He is a gentle roo. I can pick him up anytime but he still behaves like a roo with the hens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad to hear he is still with you.
Hopefully the vet can give you better answers, please keep us posted.

 

[Eighty806]

Mr W went to the Vet today. A avian specialist. Good thing is, Mr W is still with us, however, we need to give him shots and pills twice a day and feed him special diet for a week. The doctor said the roo may have spine damage and a right knee injury. If he recovers, he will not run, can only walk. He is concerned that even after recovery, the other chickens may pick on him. He is not out of the woods yet. After this week's medication and being tended to, the doc will decide next week if Mr W will recover enough to stay with the flock. My husband is learning how to give a chicken pills via YouTube right now.....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Glad you were able to have him seen.

I do hope you see some improvement. If he recovers enough to go outside, but not join the flock, will you make him a bachelor pen? Some do just fine by themselves. I can see the concern about him being picked on - chickens can be brutal to one that is weak.

There's all sorts of ways to give pills - if your husband finds a good video that works well let us know. Some things that people have had success with is hiding it bread, cheese, grapes, etc.

Thanks for the update.