Chicken can't walk after fox attack (no blood)

[Shazwahh]

I've had a fun of bad luck with foxes in my area now they have dug into our coop and killed all but our rooster and one hen that I found legs up and hardly breathing (thought it was dead). Once I noticed I flipped her back up and couldn't see any injuries but she was in shock. Brought her inside food water and rest she seems alright but she can't walk or stand. She's been still for 2 days had little food and water and laid one egg. No sound from her at all. She's been randomly trying to move but doesn't get far as she can't put weight on her legs. No vets close by that can deal with chickens (rural) so trying to see if anyone has had this or has suggestions on how to help her.

 

[Susan Skylark]

I’d be concerned about spinal damage, possibly broken hips. Nerve inflammation can take 2-3 weeks to heal (make sure food/water is within reach, move her often from side to side, keep bedding clean). Broken bones take 4-6 weeks to heal, same as above plus limit movement. If she broke her spine she may never regain movement. One test you can try is holding her up on her feet with one hand and once she’s stable bend the top of one foot under (top of foot parallel to ground). If she flips it back to normal position that is a great sign (the nerves are working), if not it means they aren’t (may recover with time). Also get some sort of pain meds into her.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Have you given her sugar water or rlectrolytes for shock? Keep her warm and dry and in a dark area for a day or so. Is she eating?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Also look on her body under her wings, if she looks green that indicates bruising. She could be very sore.

 

[Shazwahh]

She eats a tiny bit ill make up some sugar water.

Have you given her sugar water or rlectrolytes for shock? Keep her warm and dry and in a dark area for a day or so. Is she eating?

 

[Shazwahh]

I’d be concerned about spinal damage, possibly broken hips. Nerve inflammation can take 2-3 weeks to heal (make sure food/water is within reach, move her often from side to side, keep bedding clean). Broken bones take 4-6 weeks to heal, same as above plus limit movement. If she broke her spine she may never regain movement. One test you can try is holding her up on her feet with one hand and once she’s stable bend the top of one foot under (top of foot parallel to ground). If she flips it back to normal position that is a great sign (the nerves are working), if not it means they aren’t (may recover with time). Also get some sort of pain meds into her.

What pain meds can chickens have? I'll have a look soon thank you. She's only pooped once so I'm little concerned about that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've had a fun of bad luck with foxes in my area now they have dug into our coop and killed all but our rooster and one hen that I found legs up and hardly breathing (thought it was dead). Once I noticed I flipped her back up and couldn't see any injuries but she was in shock. Brought her inside food water and rest she seems alright but she can't walk or stand. She's been still for 2 days had little food and water and laid one egg. No sound from her at all. She's been randomly trying to move but doesn't get far as she can't put weight on her legs. No vets close by that can deal with chickens (rural) so trying to see if anyone has had this or has suggestions on how to help her.

Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear about your losses and hen.

I'd get the sugar water into her as suggested along with looking for any bruising or hidden puncture wounds.

Hard to know if the Fox did attack touch her or if she injured herself by running/flying into fencing in a panic.

I'd start her on Vitamin Therapy. Give 400IU Vitamin E and 1/2 tablet B-Complex daily. Give a bit of egg daily, this will help with the uptake of E. (You can find these vitamins at stores like Walmart, CVS, etc. )

Ensure she's drinking well and eating her normal feed.

You can place her in sling for monitored periods of time to help get her upright and take the weight off her legs as well.

If you have photos you wish to share, those are always welcome.

 

[directk]

Hello. I'm wondering what became of this chicken and if any of the advice helped. We had our first fox attack, this morning (we've had our ladies 4 1/2 years). One chicken was killed and carried away (a Polish) and it appears the fox attempted to kill our cochin first, but all it's feathers protected her. There are slight puncture wounds on its back in one spot and she can't walk. She CAN move her feet (I held her and felt her curl them in my hand), but her legs won't support her and she falls over and on her face if I set her down. I'm thinking she wouldn't be about to move her feet if her spine was damaged. It's been about 5 1/2 hours since the attack and was only just now able to get her to consume about a tiny bit of diluted electrolyte water. ill go back in a bit with more or some sugar water and maybe some cut up grapes and see if she's in any condition to consume those, but I'm doubting the water will have any impact on her ability to walk...

Any thoughts/input/advice would be welcome.

Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The sugar water is for shock and is the first thing you should treat. They often can't eat, drink or function till that's dealt with. Shock is kind of a step away from death.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello. I'm wondering what became of this chicken and if any of the advice helped. We had our first fox attack, this morning (we've had our ladies 4 1/2 years). One chicken was killed and carried away (a Polish) and it appears the fox attempted to kill our cochin first, but all it's feathers protected her. There are slight puncture wounds on its back in one spot and she can't walk. She CAN move her feet (I held her and felt her curl them in my hand), but her legs won't support her and she falls over and on her face if I set her down. I'm thinking she wouldn't be about to move her feet if her spine was damaged. It's been about 5 1/2 hours since the attack and was only just now able to get her to consume about a tiny bit of diluted electrolyte water. ill go back in a bit with more or some sugar water and maybe some cut up grapes and see if she's in any condition to consume those, but I'm doubting the water will have any impact on her ability to walk...

Any thoughts/input/advice would be welcome.

Thank you!

Welcome To BYC

The OP (Original Poster) has not been on since this last year so they are unlikely to respond to you.

If possible, please get photos of the wounds and of your hen.

She was attacked today, so you need to work her through shock first. Give sugar water (1tsp sugar, pinch of salt, pinch of baking soda to 1cup water) or electrolytes (the electrolytes do not have to be diluted).

Once she's drinking on her own, provide her with her normal feed or you can offer wet mushy feed, bits of egg, fish or meat.

She has puncture wounds, trim feathers from around the wounds, look for any other abrasions, tears in the skin, etc. All over her body. Foxes Squeeze their victims, so to have punctures, she's been squeezed and may have suffered some internal damage, bruising or nerve damage.

Treat the wounds, clean them with Saline, Chlorhexidine or Povidone Iodine, then apply triple antibiotic ointment to the wounds.

Continue to keep her calm, relative warm and hydrated. She could be shocky for a few days depending on how much stress and trauma she suffered. You'll also have a better idea after a few days of how well she may recover and how much bruising/damage she actually suffered.