Dog got my month old chicks....need help for the one that is alive....

[chubbydog811]

My stupid jack russel got in the bathroom where my month old chickens were living(out of spite...hes very jealous of the chicks). He killed one, and I rescued the second before he got to him (after giving the dumb a** thing a swift kick)...Anyway, I want to save this little guy and need help figuring out what is wrong, and how to fix it. I put a lot of effort into hatching those 2 out, so I at least want one to live after this.

Here is what I found when checking him out - feel free to give your thoughts about what might be wrong..

When I first rescued him, I think he was in shock - he was dazed, laying down, and looked very dead. I scooped him up brought him down to the kitchen, and gave him a very small amount of antibiotics and checked him out.
He had one puncture underneath/between his legs. That one looks alright, that's not my main concern right now.

It looks like he broke his leg - at his hock (I guess you would call it on a chicken?), it is bending the wrong way, but he can still stand on it.

I looked under his wing and found that there is an air pocket about the size of a quarter. It made a popping sound when I tapped it, and he is raspy when he cheeps, but doesnt have labored breathing.

He is very active for an injured bird - he is alert, and responsive. He can perch on my hand now without falling over, and he is flapping his wings. He can stand and get up on his own. I have been sticking his beak in water to make sure he is drinking.

He is not acting distressed or in pain.

I read that the pedialyte stuff would be good to add electrolytes.

Anyone have any advice on what I could do to help? (Short of culling him. As I said, he's not acting like he is in pain, so I will keep trying to make sure he stays alive.)

 

[Chicken Woman]

IM so sad for you 1 I hope someone with experience can help you. Is he on medicated feed ? If not I would put some powdered tetracycilyn in his water.

 

[chubbydog811]

He is on medicated feed. I forgot about the stuff to put in the water. He has had antibiotics, so he should be all set for today.

 

[AHappychick]

you could try splinting the leg, other than keeping it warm and fed and medicated it is probably a waiting game to see how much damage has been caused. Some internal injuries take a while to either heal or become critical. The fact that such a small chick has been so wounded makes me think that the odds are not good, but that does not mean you should not keep trying. Good luck, if you see it suffering though I would cull it.

Not that this helps now but in the future keep a lid (an oven grate usually works well and fits most bins) so that if your dog does get around them or any new ones that it cant get into the brooder.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Just saw your post in distress. I'll try to help as best as I can.

I've never come across this problem before, but I've heard you can try to splint the leg. If it's at a joint that would need to collapse if the chick wished to lay down, you could try a pipe cleaner to lean on and then splin it up with a band-aid. If the injury is beneath a major joint, a pipe cleaner my not be needed at the chick would be able to lay down just fine. You could try just a plain band-aid on that.


I wish I could help more. Good luck!

 

[chubbydog811]

Thanks...
We just splinted the leg, and he already looks much better. He was tired out from it, but we'll see...Hopefully he makes it the night!

 

[newchickenfamily]

Hope little chickie makes it OK!!

 

[birdlover]

I'm sorry about your babies.

The thing to worry about is infection from the bite wounds. Clean off the one between his legs and any other wounds (puncture or otherwise) that you see with warm water and antibacterial soap. Then put on neosporin or some type of anti-biotic cream (that does NOT have a pain killer in it as that will kill him). If you have tetracycline you can put in the water, keep doing it for 10 days to avoid a systemic infection which would probably do the poor little thing in. Best wishes for a complete recovery.

 

[chubbydog811]

thanks...im going to keep him on the antibiotics...ill need to clean it out though...didnt even think about that...ill keep everyone updated!

 

[SussexInSeattle]

About your Jack Russel Terrier, He is not jealous of your chicks, he is a dog bred to do what he did, destroy small animals. You can TRY to train him out of working the chickens over but the breed is hardwired to kill.

Kicking him won't change his mind much, mostly all that will do is get you a vet bill. It would be similar to kicking a bird dog for going on point or a collie for herding sheep. We developed our breeds for specific functions and it is very hard to knock that instinct out of them after the fact. I'm not saying it can't be done but it won't be the easiest thing you ever did.

If you have to raise chicks around a breed with that much prey drive, you will HAVE to be diligent about keeping that bathroom door shut TIGHT, raise your brooder up high where he will not be able to climb up to it and think about switching the brooder over to something like an airline kennel which you can also keep high up off the floor and locked. EDIT: (Maybe on top of your clothes dryer?)

The only other option I can see with a JRT is either re-homing the dog or not raising chicks inside the house. Hopefully you have a real secure chicken yard or electric fencing around your coop because he could have a real taste for the joy of chicken killing after this.