Chicken attacked by a raccoon, seems to have lost tongue

[ChickChickHOU]

We have a pretty awesome hen coop and we haven't had any predator issues for the past 1.5yrs that I've been raising my backyard chickens. However, last night our automatic chicken door failed to close due to a dead battery (!!!!). I woke up because I heard the weirdest sound and it didn't sound like a good happy sound at 10pm so I rushed out to check on my girls and found a raccoon with the head of my black bar in its nasty little paws with his mouth approaching my girl. I banged the coop with a rake and the raccoon rushed out. It turned out the black bar was completely fine; however, one of my buff orphingtons was injured (we call her Runner) and it seemed pretty bad. I got her inside and I got plenty of guidance from the Q&As posted here. She was definitely in shock but she is past it now this morning. I think I got her wounds in good order and this morning I did change her bandages and she seems happy even though she will likely have a long recovery time with her gashes.

The main thing I am seeking help with is about her tongue. Runner isn't eating or drinking any. I am able to put some into her beak but she doesnt seem to swallow and is not at all interested in finding food or water herself. I've tried feeding her apple sauce and soft baby food but she doesn't do anything with it. I can't seem to find a tongue in her beak. Is it possible that she lost it in the attack? If so, will she be able to survive without a tongue?

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Welcome to BYC, I’m sorry this has happened! You could scramble up a egg and see if she will eat that. I do that if I have a sick bird not eating.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is there a possibility of getting a picture of the inside of her beak with a flashlight, if someone holds her head? Chickens can swallow their tongues especially if a hair or string gets wrapped around it and is swallowed. Tongues also can swell. Having no tongue would definitely make it hard to eat and drink, but she could survive. I would make sure that she has some watery chicken feed in a bowl every day, which will allow her to get more fluids and make it easier to eat.

 

[ChickChickHOU]

Is there a possibility of getting a picture of the inside of her beak with a flashlight, if someone holds her head? Chickens can swallow their tongues especially if a hair or string gets wrapped around it and is swallowed. Tongues also can swell. Having no tongue would definitely make it hard to eat and drink, but she could survive. I would make sure that she has some watery chicken feed in a bowl every day, which will allow her to get more fluids and make it easier to eat.

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Thanks so much for the pic. It is really helpful. I tried to get a pic but she isn't cooperating. With her other injuries, I'm hesitant to have someone hold her down for the pic. However, while opening her mouth trying to get the pic I think I did see part of her tongue. PHEW!! I have read that the tongue will heal and chick should be ok so that makes me feel better. I'll definitely try the wet food. Thanks for your guidance!

 

[ChickChickHOU]

Welcome to BYC, I’m sorry this has happened! You could scramble up a egg and see if she will eat that. I do that if I have a sick bird not eating.

Thanks for the reply! I gave her the scrammbled egg a few minutes ago and she seemed to perk up when she tasted it but hasn't eaten any. I left it in the crate with her hoping she'll eat it eventually.

 

[Eggcessive]

Holding a small cup, lid, or scoop up to her beak could get her drinking some water.

 

[ChickChickHOU]

Ok I found her tongue! It was matted down by mucusy blood in her beak. She's still really resistant to drinking and eating. Didn't eat anything yesterday (not the scrambled egg, apple sauce or her watered down food). I have to force drops of water into her beak and roll it into the throat, she isn't using her beak or tongue to eat. I wrapped her in a towel and took her out to see her flock.. she was awake for a little bit then went back to sleep despite all the interesting things. She's been super sleepy, all day yesterday and today. Is this part of her recovery? Her wounds look good. I'll continue to try to get her to eat.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Her sleeping is probably part of recovery. If you get sick and are working on recovering you usually will sleep a good bit. I’m glad to hear she is doing good.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you thought about trying to tube feed her some fluids and thin food? That might be good to learn to keep her hydrated until she is able to eat and swallow. You can buy a length of aquarium air tubing at Walmart or some Plastic tubing to fit a syringe at Lowes in the plumbing aisle. That is good for fluids and thinfoods such as raw egg, yogurt, and baby food. Buy a few 35 ml syringes at your feed store, and make sure they fit ( the aqaurium tubing does fit.) They also sell regular feeding tubes and catheter tipped syringes online. It is best to get tube fluids first to get her hydrated. KayTee baby bird feed is good to use, and with a larger tube, you can grind chicken feed and mix it with a lot of water. Here are some links and a video:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/

 

[ChickChickHOU]

THANK YOU Eggcessive!!! I diluted a teaspoon of greek yogurt and filled it in a syringe like the one in the video and feed her. She did great. The scoop just wasn't working but the syringe got the nutrition in there and forced her to swallow. I'll keep you posted!!!