Chicken Attacked By Squirrel - Help

[Chris138]

I have only had my chickens for a year, and a squirrel has been getting in the coop to steal food the last few days. This morning I went to check on the girls and one's belly is scratched and bloody with no feathers down near the lower belly / feet. It is really bad. What do I do to care for her? I have never had an injured chicken before. Do squirrels carry diseases that I should worry about my hen getting? If anyone has any advice, or at home remedies, I am looking for some help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Yemimah]

First you need to deal with however that squirrel is getting in! Well actually your bird needs help. I would suggest to put peroxide on it,then gently pat it dry. It needs to stay dry to scab and heal. Next I would suggest a product called Blu-kote.... which is kind of like liquid band- aid for animals. Reapply once a day or as you see it is wearing off for 3 - days to a week...just read the label. I have used it on deep wounds that I first cleaned. She should be fine as long as you deal with the squirrel. I am pretty compassionate but if it is threatening the safety of your birds I would exterminate it.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have only had my chickens for a year, and a squirrel has been getting in the coop to steal food the last few days. This morning I went to check on the girls and one's belly is scratched and bloody with no feathers down near the lower belly / feet. It is really bad. What do I do to care for her? I have never had an injured chicken before. Do squirrels carry diseases that I should worry about my hen getting? If anyone has any advice, or at home remedies, I am looking for some help. Thanks in advance.

I never seen a squirrel hurt a chicken?? I spray any wounds on my chickens with blu-kote. Good Luck

 

[Louise Waffles]

I just flush out any scratches with saline, spread on a little antibiotic ointment and keep an eye on her. It would be good to get some Vetericyn. As far as diseases, I don't really know much about it.
If you can, I would recommend a rooster if you haven't already gotten one. If that's not an option for you because of where you live, I've been told Rhode Island Reds serve as fine substitutes. My roosters tend to keep out the interlopers.

Did you actually see the squirrel injure your hen? If your coop is not predator proof, you could have some other little animal coming in. Also check around to see if there is something else that xould have caused the injuries. I have a chicken that was so crazy about getting out of the yard to lay her eggs in the woods that she gave herself a nasty tear under her wing. It took a lot of soaking, topical medicating, etc. to get her healed up. Good luck!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I also question it being a squirrel. But I do suggest using iodine (I like betadine) not peroxide. Iodine lasts longer, hurts less and makes the wound heal faster than peroxide will. It's also $4 for a bottle instead of $0.50. But it's a lot more effective and the bird will heal faster with it. You can find it at pretty much any drug store.

 

[Chris138]

I did not see the squirrel physically do it, but the last few mornings every time I open the back door to let the dog out I see the grey squirrel hop out of the coop and run into the woods behind it. We lock up our chickens due to issues with raccoons, possum, and coyotes. From PM to AM it would have been the only critter that I've seen near the locked coop. I did find the area where the squirrel wiggled through the wire as well. I will head to the store to get some of the recommendations you guys have made. Thanks a ton! If anyone has any other advice please let me know!

 

[aart]

Peroxide is good for a first flush, one time only disinfectant, but not after that as it can destroy healthy tissue.
I'd recommend a triple antibiotic ointment, without any 'pain relief' ingredients as they can be toxic to birds.
The ointment will help fight infection and keep the skin pliable as it heals.
Treat it as you would a human skin wound, keep it clean, and watch for infection.