Dead Chickens

[chirv]

We have recently had 3 chickens die with injuries to their necks. We had two who had small injuries who have recovered. We do have a rooster and we're wondering if the rooster is doing the killing. A neighbor who thinks it may be a weasel. Would anyone have any advice. We have since taken the rooster out, but it's winter and don't want to be cruel to him. If it is the rooster he will be taken care of, but we want to be sure it's him.

Any advice?

 

[TeamChaos]

Can you tell us more about the injuries; how the chickens were found, where and how their cage is constructed etc? Just based on the little bit you said, I'm guessing predator rather than the rooster.

 

[chirv]

2 were puncture wounds and one had a gash down the side of the neck. They were in the coop 1 was found under the food dispenser and one by the nesting boxes. The one yestereday looked like there was a struggle with the water bucket tipped over with blood on it. The one this morning was under the roost (had the long gash). The one we are nursing that we found two days ago doesn't look like it may make it. She's in a box and and is not eating or drinking. I've even tried feeding her worms and won't open her beak to take them.

 

[bills]

I to suspect a predator, rather than the rooster. Mink often go for the neck, and will kill without eating the prey.
A coon would probably have taken the chicken away to eat it, as would a bobcat, or a fox.. I suppose a dog might just kill it and leave it..
Sounds like some better coop protection is in order..

Was the rooster freshly introduced to the flock? Was he picking at the hens during the day? I presume this was all happening at night..?

 

[chirv]

Rooster has been with the hens for a few months. Yes, it has been at night. It's pretty strange that our neighbor doesn't even close up the coop and the predator chose our coop which we lock up every night. Must of wanted a challenge. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[TeamChaos]

I'm wondering if it could be rats... if you close up your coop at nite and the attacks are happening inside during that time, it might be something that gains access during the day or just lives in the coop too. If it were something like a rat, who might be there for the eggs and food but wouldn't hesitate to tear up a hen if given the chance, it may very well be your rooster who is fending the attacker off from having a successful kill! Roosters can be rough and some can be jerks, but the neck wounds would be highly unlikely to be caused by a rooster (torn combs? Sure. Torn backs? Yup. Pecked faces or vents- sometimes.. any chicken will do that to another)
Definitely do a thorough check of your coop and make sure there are no holes/ gaps for unauthorized entry. If not a predator, then I would check for anything sharp that the chickens could be sticking their heads through to get such punctures and gashes.

 

[BeakyBuzzard]

Bird vets & rehab people have suggested sugar water- water & molasses to get them going. Once dehydrated it is hard to get animals to eat or drink. I have revived chickens using small dosing syringe with water. Crushed grapes & pineapples has worked- has sugar & water.
Other concern is control infection. Clean area, apply antibiotic cream like Neosporin. We had a severely injured hen years ago. Took a month before she walked. I wiped her "butt" every day as she could not stand to defecate. Used antibiotics in water, betadine on injured area. She had been attacked by dog. 2nd day covered in maggots. Boy was that hard to deal with, but we cleaned them off of her & she made it with a lot of TLC.
I'm sure though there are many people here that are more knowledgeable than me.

 

[chirv]

Well, we'll find out soon. We have taken our 6 chickens that are left and put them in a crate in our garage and set a trap for whatever it is. If it's the rooster or the predator we should find out in the next couple of nights.