Dog Attack

[OrpingtonHopeful]

I have 4 BO hens in a 4 X6 secure coop with secure run (8X8- 6ft high) well secured with heavy gauge hardware cloth.

Neighborhood dogs got into yard and terrorized the girls-jumping up the run, braking at the coop door- I ran out to chase them off and finally got them out of my yard but not before i have 3 bloody beaked hens (I think they did this to themselves in flighty panic) and one so far under the coop (which is elevated 18" high, but all buried hardware cloth surround) with her head in a cup barely breathing- shes against the hardware cloth so i dont know if they could have nipped her pressed against it as she is, thoguh i dont see blood on her...

It is freezing rain out, they are all wet (the coop is safe and dry but I cant get them in to close them up for the rest of the day)- and I cannot reach the one--

I cannot bring them into the house-

Can I do anything to help them? How can I get my scared shocky girl without further traumatizing her- shes not responding to my calls or scratch or the yogurt treat i put into the coop to try to get them all in....

 

[Andi]

Don't coax them if you want them in the coop. Pick them up and put them in there. You may need someone to help keep them in there during catching. They may be freaked from the trauma of the dogs and not want to be caught, but it will be considerably less stressful once they are in the coop. Besides, handling them will give you a good opportunity to inspect each one for injuries that may need attention.

As far as the one out of reach. You're better of figuring out how to reach her now then reach her as a carcass. Are there any kids in the neighborhood? Have them slip a garbage bag over their coat or lend them something to where to go in there. I suppose the school age kids are in school right now.

I hate to bring this up, but the dogs will likely be back. You might want to consider reporting this. The sooner the better. Call the sheriff or animal control to tell them that there are dogs loose so they can get picked up.

Its a good thing you built your run nice and sturdy!

I wish you and your girls the best in getting through this!

 

[biddyboo]

That's a terrible story, and I hope you and your hens can settle down soon today. As for the one that is far under the coop, you might try several things that by themselves may sound callus, but shouldn't hurt the hen if used gently. Begin with any long handled tool that is not too heavy for you to hold at length. Simply nudging her gently but repeatedly may be all you need to do to have her moving. A soft tined lawn rake may also be useful; just brush it against one side of her and encourage her to move. Another tool you may have or could manufacture is one of the tall plant holder stand poles with the curved end. You might be able to work one of these under her and arround her leg (s) and gently pull her toward you. She will be resistant, but I think you can nudge her along to the point that you can hold and inspect her. Good luck, and I hope you find that one of these ideas or something of your own will help you get your hen safely back in the coop. ~G

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Thank you guys so much for the calm replies- I got their fav organic yogurt, mixed it with liquid vitamins and a little scratch for the cold and lured them into the coop- My little under the coop hider was coaxed out by the other girls fussing over the yogurt and she took right to the yogurt- I put the red bulb heat lamp facing into the coop from the run outside so it has a red cast in the coop to prevent them picking at their bloody beaks (hoped the yogurt coating helps that too, lol) abd also to give them a little heat to help them recover-

I hope that does it, I am heartened to see them all eating their yogurt!!

 

[TrystInn]

If you think the dog actually bit them, you might want to consider antibiotics - the dose is generally 1cc per 2-3 days per 5 pounds of bird. You'll want to inject them on the underside of the wing (where there's fewer feathers) between bones, just under the skin. You'll need a 22 gauge needle for this, penicillin can be purchased from feedstores for poultry. The medicine will disperse through the bird's system in that way.

If you do so, you'll need to throw out her eggs for 45 days after last treatment. And if you process, wait 45 days after last treatment, too.

Good luck, hon.