Dog attack

[Sonia Gawlas]

So we are babysitting my aunt's dog over Easter break and yesterday, my dad thought it would be a good idea to introduce the dog to the chickens, (mind you the dog is like 2 or 3 years old and it's a pretty big and energetic dog.) but when the dog saw the chickens in the coop, she broke loose of the leash and grabbed one of our chickens by the pouch/stomach area. now she has a big wound there and my dad is beating himself up about it. she was one of our best layers and I want to assure him that she will be ok and were going to treat her. please help...

 

[Farmer Connie]

Are you able to post a photo of the wounds?

 

[Eggcessive]

They can go into shock right after an attack, so it is best to place them in a dim quiet spot, such as in a dog crate, laundry basket, or box on a towel. I usually put food and water near them. Look her over to find any wounds, punctures or scrapes. Treat any wounds with Vetericyn, betadine , chlorhexidene, saline, or soap and water. Apply plain triple antibiotic ointment twice a day to wounds. Feather loss is common.

I have had chickens with no marks on them die within 10 minutes, and one who was defeathered, legs hurt, and had scrapes and cuts, who eventually recovered totally. She resumed laying several months later, but her eggs were thin-shelled from then on.

Hopefully your chicken will get better. Good luck.