This is my first forum post so bear with me...
We have(had) 7 chickens (mix of barred rock, orpington, leghorn and rhode island red). This Saturday (11/06), a fox got into our yard and snatched 2 of our girls; we know it was a fox cause it was still in the yard when we hear the commotion. A third, our orpington, we thought got snatched but we found her later. She's must have gotten scratched or bit by the fox as she's got a long (2 inch) gash on her back. We cleaned it with an antiseptic but not sure we are doing the right thing as there is conflicting information on the web (in general). This hen (Simon) is our favorite hen as she is named after our dog we lost right before she arrived (they are the same color). She is also the only hen which survived a fox attack at the breeder we got her from so we really want her to survive and be OK.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Buff orpington, 30 weeks, approx 6 lbs
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
No altered behavior. Eating and drinking as normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Injury occured approx 12:30 PM on Saturday 11/06/2010. Hen was relocated at 6:30 PM.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Approximately 2 inch long, 1/4 inch (approx) deep gash on the back.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Attacked by a fox
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Water, layer pellets (normal food), watercress greens and beet greens
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Cleaned wound with peroxide for first cleaning. Further cleanings with neosporin wound cleaner
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?
Either or. Just want her better.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No picture
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
straw bedding
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Eileen
We have(had) 7 chickens (mix of barred rock, orpington, leghorn and rhode island red). This Saturday (11/06), a fox got into our yard and snatched 2 of our girls; we know it was a fox cause it was still in the yard when we hear the commotion. A third, our orpington, we thought got snatched but we found her later. She's must have gotten scratched or bit by the fox as she's got a long (2 inch) gash on her back. We cleaned it with an antiseptic but not sure we are doing the right thing as there is conflicting information on the web (in general). This hen (Simon) is our favorite hen as she is named after our dog we lost right before she arrived (they are the same color). She is also the only hen which survived a fox attack at the breeder we got her from so we really want her to survive and be OK.
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Buff orpington, 30 weeks, approx 6 lbs
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
No altered behavior. Eating and drinking as normal.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Injury occured approx 12:30 PM on Saturday 11/06/2010. Hen was relocated at 6:30 PM.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
Approximately 2 inch long, 1/4 inch (approx) deep gash on the back.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Attacked by a fox
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Water, layer pellets (normal food), watercress greens and beet greens
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Cleaned wound with peroxide for first cleaning. Further cleanings with neosporin wound cleaner
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?
Either or. Just want her better.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No picture
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
straw bedding
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Eileen