Care after attack from predator, ideas and honesty needed

[gypsydoll96]

UPDATE!
She's still alive after 16 hours. She has taken some of the electrolyte/vitamin/aspirin solution. We take her out from the blanket every couple of hours and make her drink. Each time she stands up taller, make a couple more noises and a couple steps. She opened her eye briefly as we were putting her back in the box tonight.
The other two girls have relocated to school and have a secure coop, food and water. We checked on them this evening and they found a spot to snuggle up with each other in the spare school coop. It looks like a little chicken village.
I have two hav-a-heart traps. So here at home we put one in the entrance of each henhouse with bait and left everything open. Lets see what we get in the morning.

 

[ChickNanny13]

We headed to the local drug store and bought pedialite, baby aspirin and baby vitamins.

You mentioned Baby Vitamins, what was it? IF it's PolyVisol it needs to be without Iron. So glad to hear she's doing better. Good luck with the traps

 

[gypsydoll96]

Flintstones non-iron, by chance. Maybe I got it right for once.
I live inner city so I don't have access to some items and pet stores are very over-priced around here since they cater to the elite pet owners.

 

[Coop de Grass]

Something went after my girls early this morning. I was awoke from alarm cries from my flock and when I went out there there were feathers everywhere and the girls were all in the run. I searched and found our beautiful 10 month old Austrolorp was pulled though a hole and out of the enclosed run behind the coop. We must have scared off what ever was dragging her away. When I went to grab her she squawked frantically trying to get away, so at least she's not dead. I wrapped her in a blanket and placed her in a box in the kitchen to calm her down.
She has many feathers gone from her back and tail, some scratches along her shoulders and both eyes closed tight. There's no blood near her eyes, but she wont open them.
Its only been two hours, but she won't drink. Maybe still traumatized.
Any advice for emergency care?
Do I give her time and re-evaluate?
If she lost use of her eyes can a blind chicken live and do OK?
How do we judge if we should just "put her to sleep?"

We have a very small city flock of only three now as we lost two on the last month to a critter when someone forgot to close up the coop. We will be inspecting the coop today for holes and gaps. Thought it was a raccoon, but the hole today looks too small. Could a rat attack a chicken? (I hate them things)

It sounds like things are looking up for your girl. I always have Nutridrench on hand. You can find it at Tractor Supply or on Amazon. I have given it with an eye dropper at full strength to give a wounded or sick chicken an immediate boost. Just a couple of drops. Then I mix it with water and keep dripping it into their beaks. Within a short period of time I put the water/nutridrench into a small bowl and dip their beaks into it so that they have to swallow. It's a bit like force feeding them, but it has worked for me on 2 separate occasions where the pullets were in shock. I was able to watch them on the wifi camera in the coop. They started to stand within an hour, and made more progress overnight. I would keep Nutridrench in your medicine box!

Hope she is better in the morning!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad to hear that she is doing okay. Let us know how she is doing tomorrow, and good luck.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[micstrachan]

It sounds like things are looking a little better for your girl. Keep us posted!

 

[Callender Girl]

Hav-A-Harts are a good start, depending on the predator. I have not been successful catching mink (with anything) or rats -- who are especially wary of new things in their environment, but will eat hot-glued-on dog food from a kill trap -- with the more humane traps. On the other hand, I have released a snarly possum from a Hav-A-Hart.

Great to hear that your girl is better!! Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Shorty22366]

Yes Nutridrench is great stuff to keep on hand. It jas saved a few chicks and hens

 

[gypsydoll96]

UPDATE #2:
8 days and she's still alive. She refuses to eat solid food. She has nibbled some yogurt and now drinks the water/solution, but only if I push it in front of her, which we do several times a day.
We have let her roam around the kitchen and she likes to stretch and preen. She has only opens one eye. I'm thinking she might have lost the other or it was poked by wire in the fencing.
Other girls are enjoying their vacation at school and get lost of attention from the kindergarten and 7th grade care-takers.
I appreciate all the support, encouragement and advice from this group. You have helped us through a difficult time.