Can a chicken be in a coma?

[beegirl4]

I know this is a really stupid question. My chicken was attacked by a fox yesterday. I got her before she was eaten, but she is in rough shape. Her external wounds are not awful, but I'm wondering if she has a broken neck or is in some kind of coma or something. She has her eyes closed most of the time, she does not stand, but can for moments. She has labored breathing and is otherwise unconscious. I don't know what to do with her. ugh
Thanks,
Rachel

 

[Lazy Farmer]

electrolytes are good for shock.. if that is what it is.
Keep the wounds clean. Away from flies.

 

[chuckachucka]

Could be shock or internal damage. Chickens can go into a trance like state after a trauma. Keep her warm and away from other chickens and offer food and water. Try her favourite treat if she doesn't respond to chicken food. Keep an eye on her poop and note its condition.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Poor girl, the laboured breathing is normal for a bird under that kind of stress. All you can do for now is keep her warm and in a quiet place .

 

[beegirl4]

Poor girl, the laboured breathing is normal for a bird under that kind of stress. All you can do for now is keep her warm and in a quiet place .

She is still laying down looking asleep. Alive, but not very conscious. I'm going to give her electrolytes in a dropper, but at this point, I don't want to prolong suffering if she isn't going to recover. I really hate this part...Poor thing.

 

[beegirl4]

Could be shock or internal damage. Chickens can go into a trance like state after a trauma. Keep her warm and away from other chickens and offer food and water. Try her favourite treat if she doesn't respond to chicken food. Keep an eye on her poop and note its condition.

The trance like state is crazy. I've seen it so many times (not this intense) and I guess I equate it to a defense mechanism so they kind of black out before they know what is going on.
She is still out of it. She is laying on her side like a dog which I know is not good. she doesn't open her eyes or anything, but when I pet her, she makes noises....

 

[Toetwo]

I'm so sorry for her situation. I just signed on here with the same sort of question: I have a sweet hen who has been fighting mites. I realized the situation (ignorant me) too late. The last three days, looking back, I don't know what traumatized her more: the mites or my attempts to get rid of them. And now she is, from what I can see, dying. I feel awful and like you, don't know what to do. Poor girls.

 

[beegirl4]

I'm so sorry for her situation. I just signed on here with the same sort of question: I have a sweet hen who has been fighting mites. I realized the situation (ignorant me) too late. The last three days, looking back, I don't know what traumatized her more: the mites or my attempts to get rid of them. And now she is, from what I can see, dying. I feel awful and like you, don't know what to do. Poor girls.

Good luck. I do really feel that chickens are tough creatures! I had one that was attacked by a hawk and by the time I found her she was covered with maggots and rotting (GROSS!). I got great advice on here and she recovered completely and is perfect. I totally thought she would be dead.
Unfortunately, my girl passed about an hour ago. I picked her up to give her electrolytes and she died in my arms. So sad, but I'm glad she isn't suffering.
Did you give your chicken a warm epsom salt bath? They seem to really like that....and it must be good for them. I use that a lot and it has helped most of my problems. I just use a bucket.
Good luck....I know it's so hard!

 

[rebrascora]

@Toetwo

Whilst lice and mites can be a problem they are rarely life threatening. Usually they are an indication that a chicken is sick with some other illness and unable to take care of herself properly like dust bathing and preening. Very occasionally a broody hen will get overwhelmed with mites because she is sitting still in the coop for so long but a healthy chicken should be able to keep infestations at a low-moderate level naturally. How old is your chicken and what have been her symptoms apart from the mites.... and are they mites or lice? Mites are red and suck blood, lice are brown/tan coloured and live off the skin/feather debris and are more of an irritant.

 

[rebrascora]

@beegirl4

I'm so sorry you lost your girl. It is so hard to know in those circumstances whether they are suffering mostly from shock or whether there are some serious internal injuries. Please take steps to ensure the safety of the remaining flock because that fox will almost certainly be back. A few years ago, I had one snatched in broad daylight from under my nose. I chased after it and managed to get her back, but whilst I was tending to her it came back and snatched another one. Sadly I am no longer able to free range.