ByeEyed
In the Brooder
- May 21, 2016
- 20
- 7
- 34
Welp. I'm feeling like a pretty good sized failure right now.
My lil 6 week old appenzeller spitzhauben, Madeline, was attacked by a hawk yesterday. Totally preventable if I had stayed with them while they were free ranging or if I had put them back in their very sturdy fully covered run. My fault but I am taking this as a very hard learned lesson to never leave them out unsupervised again.
The good news is I looked out the window and saw the hawk on the ground seconds after it grabbed Madeline. I was out there in less than 10 seconds and was able to rescue Madeline. She did not have any visible wounds to my novice eye other than extreme shock, disorientation and she seemed unable to stand upright.
After a good minute effort locating my other 4 chicks whom had all scattered to the winds and were hiding under various structures, I rushed Madeline to Gainesville to the small animal hospital run by U. of Florida.
She had a laceration and puncture that ruptured her air sac. The laceration also opened into her body cavity (thus increasing chances of a massive infection). I paid the vet $$$ to clean and stitch her up before getting wrapped up in a pretty green bandage that sets off her eyes perfectly.
She is currently living in a wire crate with a heating pad set on its lowest setting and a towel rolled around her body to keep her supported upright. Food and water are within reach without needing to move.
Madeline has a 50/50 chance of survival. I am optimistic as she has a good appetite and when I took her outside to visit her sisters, she was very excited and happy to see them. She will remain in the house with me until her stitches come out in 2 weeks but I will keep her outside as much as possible (under strict supervision) to avoid reintegration issues.
Other novice chicken owners, please take this as your warning. Don't think just because you have a good sized backyard with lots of shade trees covering it, you will be the lucky one to never loose a chicken to a hawk or any other predator. I almost did. Others have not been as lucky. DIRECT supervision or keep them in a covered and well secured run/coop.
That said, here is my question!
Madeline has not had a poo since the attack. I asked the vet when Madeline was in surgery if she had pooed but she did not. There was nothing in the crate this morning and she didn't poo when I took her outside. How long did it take for your chickens to "recover GI-wise" from trauma like that and when should I start getting concerned (or rather more cocerned than I already am now)? I have an follow up appointment tomorrow (Monday) but can take her back sooner if necessary. Is there something I could give or feed her to maybe help"ease" the way?
Madeline is getting .25ml of trimethorprim (antibiotic) and .13ml meloxicam (painkiller). Could either one be causing her to be constipated?
She is eating and seems in good spirits. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm praying for poo now!
Thank you for reading this and I apologize for the long winded spiel.
My lil 6 week old appenzeller spitzhauben, Madeline, was attacked by a hawk yesterday. Totally preventable if I had stayed with them while they were free ranging or if I had put them back in their very sturdy fully covered run. My fault but I am taking this as a very hard learned lesson to never leave them out unsupervised again.
The good news is I looked out the window and saw the hawk on the ground seconds after it grabbed Madeline. I was out there in less than 10 seconds and was able to rescue Madeline. She did not have any visible wounds to my novice eye other than extreme shock, disorientation and she seemed unable to stand upright.
After a good minute effort locating my other 4 chicks whom had all scattered to the winds and were hiding under various structures, I rushed Madeline to Gainesville to the small animal hospital run by U. of Florida.
She had a laceration and puncture that ruptured her air sac. The laceration also opened into her body cavity (thus increasing chances of a massive infection). I paid the vet $$$ to clean and stitch her up before getting wrapped up in a pretty green bandage that sets off her eyes perfectly.
She is currently living in a wire crate with a heating pad set on its lowest setting and a towel rolled around her body to keep her supported upright. Food and water are within reach without needing to move.
Madeline has a 50/50 chance of survival. I am optimistic as she has a good appetite and when I took her outside to visit her sisters, she was very excited and happy to see them. She will remain in the house with me until her stitches come out in 2 weeks but I will keep her outside as much as possible (under strict supervision) to avoid reintegration issues.
Other novice chicken owners, please take this as your warning. Don't think just because you have a good sized backyard with lots of shade trees covering it, you will be the lucky one to never loose a chicken to a hawk or any other predator. I almost did. Others have not been as lucky. DIRECT supervision or keep them in a covered and well secured run/coop.
That said, here is my question!
Madeline has not had a poo since the attack. I asked the vet when Madeline was in surgery if she had pooed but she did not. There was nothing in the crate this morning and she didn't poo when I took her outside. How long did it take for your chickens to "recover GI-wise" from trauma like that and when should I start getting concerned (or rather more cocerned than I already am now)? I have an follow up appointment tomorrow (Monday) but can take her back sooner if necessary. Is there something I could give or feed her to maybe help"ease" the way?
Madeline is getting .25ml of trimethorprim (antibiotic) and .13ml meloxicam (painkiller). Could either one be causing her to be constipated?
She is eating and seems in good spirits. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm praying for poo now!
Thank you for reading this and I apologize for the long winded spiel.