Chickens attacked by dogs--what should I do for injured ones?

[Avonshire]

OK my chickens were free ranging and one of the neighborhood dogs along with mine unfortunately got a hold of them. Killed my favorite OF COURSE! I have two hurt ones. I don't know what to do for them. I put them in my brooder. They are panting and not moving. I gave them water. Should I leave the with heat on all night in the garage? Should I bring them inside? Is there anything I can really do for them?

 

[lynn1961]

How old are they ?
If they are grown, their wounds may not be a life threatening as a little ones would.
If their are puncture wounds, cleanse them with soap and water, peroxide them and leave them open to air, if you put an ointment on them you will be sealing the germs up in the wound.
If the skin is torn open and there are no vital organs and deep tissue injury, you can cleanse them as above, remove any ragged edges of skin, you can dress them with dry 4x4 gauze and vet wrap. Drench the gauze before you remove it the next day to cleanse the area again, if you don't wet the gauze before you remove it, you will mechanicaly take off anything it is stuck to. If you use vet wrap don't wrap it too tighly and cut off circulation, don't cover their vents. Using gauze and vet wrap is almost a 2 people job.
Blue kote spary is good for wounds.
If they are terribly injured it may be best to put them down and not let them suffer.
Good luck.
It is so maddening for roaming dogs to injure or kill your chickens, had the same problem at our house, even though we have a 5 foot fence around our property, the dogs were digging under the fence, finaly had to instal n electric fence to solve the problem, not cheap, but have not had any more dog problems.

 

[real_redhead]

Above post is very good! Puncture wounds are hard to see, I would keep them inside so they are away from flies since we all know what happens there (makes me gag I can't even write about it!) Keep them warm, quite and in a safe place they are probably in shock. I have read on here alot of chickens have survived dog attacks. I wish you the best of luck, I lost most of my flock last March to a dog attack and I know how hard it is. Good luck!

 

[Avonshire]

They are 10 weeks--so young but not babies. The one that died was my oldest and closest to laying eggs--of course!! I know the one that I picked up was not bleeding that I could see. The one my dh had was bleeding but not a whole lot. I have 3 acres--I tend to only let them free range when I am out there but I was getting lax. My dog had been out with them many times by himself and never did anything to them but I guess in a pack he lost his mind. Better not happen again or we are going to have serious problems with him. I was really hoping he would protect them rather than kill them.

 

[lynn1961]

It is sad, dogs mostly kill them for the sport of it, my turkey hen that survived the dog attack this spring took months to heal, she had a piece of skin missing that was bigger than the palm of my hand, she and I both wore that blue kote for quiet a while, at least it is a pretty color, had to cleanse and dress her wound every day for about 10 days, I think she still remembers very well what dogs can do, given the chance. It took her several months to get back to herself. She was shook up pretty bad after the dog attack, any dog that comes near the fence, she high tails it to the shed.

 

[Avonshire]

OK they are doing better today. One has a bad leg and cannot put all its weight on it. The other is up and standing around sometimes. I have given electrolytes in the water and I cannot see any wounds. They are pretty quiet and still though. I am wondering how long should I give them in the brooder? How long until I can sigh in relief that they are ok rather than be afraid every time I look in on them? Can I give them special treats or should I just give them regular food? How will I know when they are ready to go back in the coop?