Close call!

[UrbanEgg]

So one of my chickens has been free ranging just outside her coop for a few days because she had a hurt comb and the others were pecking at her. She's done fine, never leaves the are right in front of the run/coop, has her own food and water. Every night I would go out and put her in a box as a temporary shelter (its all I had) but with one little door cut out so she could get out in the morning.

Well I'm sitting up late in my basement with a sliding glass door out to the yard when all of a sudden something hits the door and I hear a bawk! I jump out and turn the porch light on to catch a coon running off! YIKES! grabbed my flashlight and went running outside. Didn't see the coon again, but found my old girl beside the door, under the deck. Not a scratch on her! I'm so glad she got away! All my others were fine. I put her in the garage to sleep.

So now I'm wondering, can I put her back with the others yet? She still has a few dark blackish scabs on her comb, but mostly healed. Will they mess with her still? (my first chicken owning experience--I got these guys in January from my dh's coworkers)

 

[al6517]

I think the thought of the coon returning tonight and doing the same thing will have already made your mind up for you.

AL

 

[UrbanEgg]

Oh, I was going to put her up in the garage a few more nights if I couldn't return her to the pen. I wouldn't underestimate a racoons memory

 

[Country4ever]

My vote is to keep her in the garage a few more nights. Is it totally secure too?
Then, when you put her back with the others, put something like Vick's vapo rub on it, so the others won't be as interested. They just love to peck on anything dark!
So glad you dodged the bullet. I'm sure if you hadn't been there, she'd have been a gonner!

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Speaking of dodging the bullet, dont let that happen to the stupid raccoon.

 

[rancher hicks]

Honestly? I can't believe you would have left her outside. What were you thinking? I have a hen with a coon wound and she is in the back room off the garage in a pen by herself. She's been there going on 3 weeks.
If she isn't healed completely keep her in the garage. If you haven't, set up a quarantine coop or pen that is safe from predators. Everyone should have one for these situations and the purchase of new birds. It's just common sense.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Rancher be nice

. She didnt know

 

[Country4ever]

Its a long learning process for many of us.

 

[skeeter03]

i have an injured chicken in with general population and they seem to leave her alone just fine - and I have sat and watched for a couple of hours just to make sure. if not back in quarantine she goes - thanks for the vicks vapo rub advice that might come in handy lol. but yep those coons will just keep comming back again and again so you might want to lock her up safe by herself if the others cant leave her alone - dont feel bad my dog just about got one of my roosters the other day while I was trying to put my quarantined bird back into gp . Oppps cant turn my back for a second.
good luck with your chickens its my first year/time to - sure fun isnt it?