BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Fire Ant Farm]

@gjensen , I have never ever forgotten what you said many posts ago, about the fact that our best birds have bulls-eyes on their backs. In fact, I hear it in my head all the time, when a hawk flies over, etc. That is really hitting home today - Dumbledore is my only CL boy (and is really amazing). I am hoping to be able to hatch from his girls, but if not, he comes from a line of really excellent flock leaders and protectors, and I am hopeful I could get another "cull" from that line from the breeder (he was marked for cull because his comb was crooked - I was ok with that for my flock.)

- Ant Farm

 

[AnthNDacula]

I agree w/ islafarm. Keep him quiet and comfortable the immediate issue is the "shock" (not the medical definition but the chicken definition) If he is going to die from that it will be tonight, if he makes it to morning you can be pretty sure he won't die from initial injuries. Watch the puncture for infection punctures and dog bites are high risk for infection. When he goes back outside the sudden loss of feathers can be a hypothermic problem, he may need some version of clothing to keep him warm enough in winter. Fluids are most important, make sure food offered is high nutrient and easy digested (scrambled eggs are perfect) most important ................................. THOSE DOGS WILL BE BACK be prepared.

Also sounds like the injury is near the oil gland, if so watch it for swelling, if the oil gland itself in damaged it could be a fatal injury, scar tissues can block it, if that happens it wouldn't kill him immediately but would be an injury requiring culling or expensive surgery by a vet.

"THOSE DOGS WILL BE BACK be prepared." Probably tomorrow at about the same time as today.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

"THOSE DOGS WILL BE BACK be prepared." Probably tomorrow at about the same time as today.

All birds will stay indoors tomorrow and I've arranged to work from home to tend Dumbledore and work on security. I am on alert. And VERY unhappy. Is it wrong of me to want those dogs to DIE DIE DIE???!!!

- Ant Farm

 

[lpatelski]

I posted in Emergencies, but wanted to ask you guys - I hope you don't mind the cross post:

Three small terrier type dogs got into my yard this afternoon. When I drove up, I found feathers all over the driveway, and the dogs around. I chased them off, and after some searching, found my Cream Legbar cockerel wedged into a hiding place behind a fence. He was apparently able to get away from them enough that his only injuries were that all of his tail feathers, a lot of the feathers along his backside, and some of his wing feathers were plucked - some bloody. He's got abrasions, but only one wound (not terribly big, though a gouge) on the top of his tail nub. He has no broken bones that I can tell. I do not think he has internal injuries though time will tell. He appears "in shock" for lack of another term - sort of stunned. I brought him inside, in a large dog crate lined with pine shavings, and a cardboard box at one end, on its end, with a towel. There is a cup of water and he is drinking well. His mouth is a little open. He seems a little off balance, but can stand.

I find that, even though I've read plenty, I am "in shock" myself and my brain just isn't working on what to do. I cleaned his wounds with Vetricyn, examined him, and gave him water. I was going to give him some scrambled eggs. I wanted to know what other advice anyone had for supporting him at this time.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) Cream Legbar cockerel, 33 weeks
2) What is the behavior, exactly. NA
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Acute attack about 2-3 hours ago.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? NA
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. Bleeding and some abrasions where plucked, one tail wound. Abrasions around wattles and comb (which are very red/purplish).
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. See above. Dog attack - I believe he was leading them away from the girls.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Has been offered water, drinking ok, have not offered food yet - wondering what I should offer.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. No poops so far. Vent seems ok, but abraded area.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Cleaned wounds, brought inside.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Will likely treat myself, not take to vet.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. I will try to get one. Need to get the other birds put up for the night.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use In 48" dog crate lined with pine shavings, with large cardboard box on end at one side , and towel in it.

(I may be setting eggs from his girls earlier than expected...)

- Ant Farm

I am so sorry to hear about your attack. I work Animal Control for my county. Call animal control for investigation and/or request a medium size dog trap. If they don't respond go to Tractor Supply and get a Coyote trap. Turn the dogs in when they are trapped. At least then if they are reclaimed you may be able to find out who the irresponsible owner is. Terriers are keyed into motion...dinner runs. They cannot help themselves. People bred them to be game oriented.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I am so sorry to hear about your attack. I work Animal Control for my county. Call animal control for investigation and/or request a medium size dog trap. If they don't respond go to Tractor Supply and get a Coyote trap. Turn the dogs in when they are trapped. At least then if they are reclaimed you may be able to find out who the irresponsible owner is. Terriers are keyed into motion...dinner runs. They cannot help themselves. People bred them to be game oriented.

Yes, that is a good point. I very well may do that. I do realize that it is in the dogs' nature. I'm just feeling ungenerous right now, as they should not be loose (leash laws).

If I were to get a trap, what would you recommend I bait it with?

- Ant Farm

 

[lpatelski]

Yes, that is a good point. I very well may do that. I do realize that it is in the dogs' nature. I'm just feeling ungenerous right now, as they should not be loose (leash laws).

If I were to get a trap, what would you recommend I bait it with?

- Ant Farm

Chicken....the dogs are not usually hungry, they are into chasing. Leftovers work. I believe the coyote trap comes with a live bait box. I would not put a chicken in it. It would be too traumatizing.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Chicken....the dogs are not usually hungry, they are into chasing. Leftovers work. I believe the coyote trap comes with a live bait box. I would not put a chicken in it. It would be too traumatizing.

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Not willing to put a live animal in the trap (unless I can catch a rat or something - though if it gets bad enough, I may go to the pet store for "snake food"). I really just need a better way to exclude them.

Electricity will be the key - I haven't been able to get electric fencing to work because of slope and grasses shorting the fence, so I'm probably going to get some wire instead.

Problem is, best I can tell, they never did make it into a paddock at all, they just induced my hero cockerel to fly out and lure them away. And they came into the yard through human pathway type areas, which I can't really electrify. I have some problem solving to do...

- Ant Farm

 

[varidgerunner]

Yes, the venerable tractor supply "coyote trap". Never mind not 1 coyote in a thousand will go in a cage without some choking and a layer of butter first, and the fact that it wouldn't hold some coyotes for five minutes. And the fact that live bait is illegal in most states, not to mention fairly inhumane. But, it will probably work fine for a chicken killing dog.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Yes, the venerable tractor supply "coyote trap". Never mind not 1 coyote in a thousand will go in a cage without some choking and a layer of butter first, and the fact that it wouldn't hold some coyotes for five minutes. And the fact that live bait is illegal in most states, not to mention fairly inhumane. But, it will probably work fine for a chicken killing dog.

I hadn't thought about legality of live bait with a rat/mouse, I suppose one should check. Despite being in an urban area, I did have coyotes in my yard occasionally (pre-fence, pre-chickens). They are astonishingly small compared to most standard dogs (at least those were). That being said, these are wee dogs - heck, a raccoon trap would probably get them!

- Ant Farm

 

[Beekissed]

Sounds like you need your own predator(s)....make short work of those itty bitty dogs and keep all the other preds away.

In the absence of that, a .22 lead injection works well.