Coyote/Raccoon Attack-- Chicken Survived

[5280chickens]

We had a coyote or raccoon try to get into our chicken pen, fortunately they did not get all the way in, but they did manage to do some damage. We lost one chicken and another was bit severly, however has survived. She is about 6 months old. The wound is below her wing on the right hand side and part of her breast is missing. She has survived 6 says with the wound. We have her separated from the rest of our flock and she is in a cardboard box in our laundry room. We have been cleaning the injury by spraying it with an aerosolized saline solution then covering it in iodine. She eats a small amount and is a fan of sugar water and a mixture of apple juice and water. Is there anything else we can do for our little Pippin? Will the skin grow over the wound again? Can she ever be reintroduced to the flock?

With the piece of breast that is missing, if she falls on that side, she cannot pick herself back up. is there anything we can do to help strengthen her?

 

[Wyandottes7]

You seem to be caring for her well. I don't think that there is much that you can do to strengthen her, except let her rest, and make sure that she eats and drinks well. She might have suffered some neurological damage from the attack, which could be making her weak on that side. I'd give her some electrolytes and probiotics to help her with any stress that she is experiencing. If you have some, put some antibiotic ointment (without any painkillers or "caine" ingredients) on the wound. Watch for any signs of infection, like swelling, discoloration, pus, or heat. If you see any, get some antibiotics. Chickens have a remarkable ability to heal themselves. The skin should grow over it again, in time. Once she recovers, you will probably be able to introduce her to the flock. The chickens will fight with her at first, but they'll work out the pecking order again.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with Wyandotte7 about using Neosporin ointment on the wound. I would clean it a final time with only saline and look at it carefully for any pus or infection (red angry-looking skin, or black dead skin.) The black skin should be removed for healing. If infection is present, use weak betadine to clean it. Dry the wound and apply Neospirin daily. If infected, you can give penicillin shots or penicillin (or amoxicillin) orally. Giving her scrambled eggs, canned tuna, chopped liver along with her chicken feed will help the wound to close.

 

[5280chickens]

I removed all of the broken feathers in and on the wound, should I have removed more feathers around it to help with healing? Her would wraps from inside her right wing to the middle of her chest between the breasts. The upper portion of her right breast is gone and towards her neck seems to be missing skin at least. Is there a way I can make her more comfortable as I need to clean these wounds?

I have thought about giving her an asprin water solution, but I don't want to make her bleed if there is a risk of it, though, if she were going to bleed to death, I think that would have already happened.

Since we lost another chicken, we didn't notice that she had any wounds immediately. It was at least 24 hours and probably closing in on 48 before we noticed she had any wound at all.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think it would be okay to give 1 baby aspirin or 1/4 of an adult aspirin. After 6 days it shouldn't bleed that much, but just put pressure on it if any starts. Bleeding may actually be a sign of healthy tissue. Hopefully she will have use of her wing after losing muscle. Would it be too much to get a picture of this wound?

 

[5280chickens]

I'm going to try to get a photo of the wound tonight when we clean her. I asked around at Big R and they seem to think she is going to make it! Hoping for the skin to start growing back, but know that this is a LONG process!