I really need some help with one of my chickens who was attacked by a hawk 2 days ago. I went outside Sunday morning to hear our 4 huge crows attacking a hawk. They continued their loud cawing and dive-bombing until the hawk eventually left. It was then that I realized none of my flock had come running up to me.
I spent nearly 2 hours rounding up my missing 10 chickens over 5 acres - finding them hiding in various places. I finally found my last Americauna, and judging by the amount of feathers on the ground, it was a miracle she was alive. She was on her back and had one side of her neck skin torn, puncture wounds on her bald back and all of her tail feathers missing. She was in severe shock.
Her wounds were very clean - no dirt - so I sprayed everything well with betadine tea, applied triple antibiotic cream, and then sprayed blue cote on top. She didn't eat or drink anything that day - except for the water I gave her with an eye dropper every few hours and a dose of Rescue Remedy. I tried giving her scrambled eggs, but no interest. She is pooping normally.
Monday - same thing. I tried giving her yogurt and chopped up grapes, but no interest. I continued giving her water with an eyedropper every couple of hours and a dose of Rescue Remedy. I gave her a warm bath with a bit of betadine in it to clean her up (from lying in poop) and she seemed to enjoy it.
This morning, still no interest and I continue with the eyedropper. I noticed that she's now developed a very slight rattle when she breathes and am concerned about a respiratory infection. I checked her chest again for wounds I may have missed, but she's fine.
Her wounds are healing up - absolutely no weeping or swelling. It's hard to see much through the blue kote, but I don't believe there's any infection of any kind. She is unable to stand for more than a few seconds - one of her legs gives way. (but I've read on here that sometimes happens due to trauma and she might recover from that) I'm very concerned that she still won't eat or drink.
Since I'm new to chickens, I have searched this forum to find out what kind of antibiotic to give for respiratory ailments. I read that it's given with a very short needle in the chest area - will the feed store know what size?
Thank you so much to anyone who can help me with this little chicken. She is fighting to hang on and I feel responsible to give her as much care as I can.
I spent nearly 2 hours rounding up my missing 10 chickens over 5 acres - finding them hiding in various places. I finally found my last Americauna, and judging by the amount of feathers on the ground, it was a miracle she was alive. She was on her back and had one side of her neck skin torn, puncture wounds on her bald back and all of her tail feathers missing. She was in severe shock.
Her wounds were very clean - no dirt - so I sprayed everything well with betadine tea, applied triple antibiotic cream, and then sprayed blue cote on top. She didn't eat or drink anything that day - except for the water I gave her with an eye dropper every few hours and a dose of Rescue Remedy. I tried giving her scrambled eggs, but no interest. She is pooping normally.
Monday - same thing. I tried giving her yogurt and chopped up grapes, but no interest. I continued giving her water with an eyedropper every couple of hours and a dose of Rescue Remedy. I gave her a warm bath with a bit of betadine in it to clean her up (from lying in poop) and she seemed to enjoy it.
This morning, still no interest and I continue with the eyedropper. I noticed that she's now developed a very slight rattle when she breathes and am concerned about a respiratory infection. I checked her chest again for wounds I may have missed, but she's fine.
Her wounds are healing up - absolutely no weeping or swelling. It's hard to see much through the blue kote, but I don't believe there's any infection of any kind. She is unable to stand for more than a few seconds - one of her legs gives way. (but I've read on here that sometimes happens due to trauma and she might recover from that) I'm very concerned that she still won't eat or drink.
Since I'm new to chickens, I have searched this forum to find out what kind of antibiotic to give for respiratory ailments. I read that it's given with a very short needle in the chest area - will the feed store know what size?
Thank you so much to anyone who can help me with this little chicken. She is fighting to hang on and I feel responsible to give her as much care as I can.
The other morning, unfortunately, she was attacked by an wild bobcat. I fortunately scared her off in time but the trauma and shock that came to her was the end of her existence. She would not eat or drink for 3 days. We did everything possible for her even taking her to urgent care. She died peacefully but it is still heart wrenching. All my other pets still sense the lost of the one that had command of everything. She will be sourly missed. I'm glad you posted your message because I still wonder to this day if I could have done more to save her. I wish you well with your future pet endeavors.
