Dog attacked 2 week old chicks, please help me these are my first

[arasnottus]

Hi

My chicks are just about two weeks old and our house dog finally managed to get in the room without us knowing, she has been hiding since. I'm really upset. We had ten, five died. This all happened late last night around 11:30-12.

One chick has an open sore, probably a quater inch big on her back, and it has been bleeding. We read somewhere that baking soda helps clot the blood so we applied that. Was this wrong to do? It seems like the bleeding has gone down.

Another has a broken wing, it hangs slightly away from her body. The wing itself looks fine but its where its attached that looks out of joint. Can I do anything to help her

Please help me, they are doing much better everyone including the two above have been up and walking and I believe have been eating/drinking.

I haven't slept all night

 

[dumb_cluck]

First I would move the chicks somewhere where your dog cannot in any way get to them. Then I'd just keep an eye on them. The dog probably only "mouthed" them, because if it wanted to, the chicks would have all been killed instantly.

Don't blame the dog nor punish. This is a natural instinct for prey drive. It's up to you to keep the peace and protect the flock. Breath deep and start again.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I'm so sorry you've had to experience this...
Sounds like you're doing the right thing for the chicks so far; I don't know about the baking soda for bleeding. Any open wounds need to be washed out with warm soapy water, pat dry, and apply antibiotic ointment. Leave the wound open to air unless its a body part that will be rubbing against the litter; also cover the wound if the other chicks start to peck at it (which they normally WILL do). As for the broken wing--if its dragging the ground, or causing the chick problems, you can ACE wrap it to the body in a normal position.

I experienced the same thing in December; my two Boston Terriers got out of their yard (the satellite man left the gate unlocked); they RIPPED through chicken wire and attacked a small flock of my Silkies. They ATE 10 eggs incubating under a broody; they ripped open a hens chest (she died), they tore ALL of the skin off a Partridge hens back and broke her wing; they mutilated a buff hen (the skin from her shoulders to the base of her skull was ripped upward, over her head). With ALOT of intensive care and time, I nursed the Partridge and Buff back to health and they're doing wonderfully. "Blessing" was the one surviving egg that hatched about a week later.

After all this time, I still don't have the same relationship with my dogs that I use to, and probably never will. I know they were just being dogs...but I don't think I'll ever get over it.

I wish you the best.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Opps!! left one thing out.....add Apple Cider Vinegar to their water for a few days. I'd also feed them some chopped, boiled eggs, once a day for several days.

 

[chickensioux]

So sorry you are having to deal with this stress. The little one with the wound, I would clean the wound with some warm water and definately make sure the bleeding has stopped. You can apply neosporin (without "caine") if you want to but sometimes this can make the other chicks pick at it. This is really a big concern. If the bleeding has stopped, just keep an eye on it and make sure the others are not picking at this wound. If they do, seperate this baby and watch for infection. The one with the wing issue, you can get some vetwrap (found in some TSC or at your vet) and bind it's little wing to its body. Loosely wrap the vetwrap around it entire body with the wing properly folded underneath. Leave this for only 3-4 days and then check it. You can just leave it and see how the baby progresses. If you choose to bind it, do it now for a better chance of it healing properly. Watch and make sure the wing does not change color. You want to make sure there is circulation to that wing. Make sure both of these babies continue to eat and drink and poo for you. Good luck.

 

[arasnottus]

Thank you so much for your help

Here is an update: 4 of the 5 look great! They walk, drink, poo and eat just fine. Still a little skittish though. The wound on the yellow chick is healing and has stopped bleeding. It doesn't look great but we've been cleaning it twice a day.

The little one with the wing issue; we tried to wrap it to her body and the poor thing couldn't walk without falling over

She moves the wing just fine it only lays a little funny so when she fell into the water bowl I decided it was best to just let it heal itself.

I have one chick who is a survior. We call her pearl because she is black but has a big round white spot on the top of her head. She was not harmed in the incident and has been protective of the others. Anyway I wanted to let the woman know who gave the suggestion about apple vingar that she loves it and it was cute to watch her taste it, think about it, and then back for more, and more.

Lastly, If anyone has any suggestions I have one chick who I am worried about. She has been very lethargic and mainly just sleeps. She does get up to move around but mainly just lays there. I had to seperate her from the others because they were not letting her get in to eat from the container and picking at her some. She was upset to be a lone but has calmed down and I have been able to get her to eat and drink some in her new area. We keep wondering if she'll make it through the day, the night, and she has so far!

Thank you again!

-Feeling hopefull