Dog thinks chickens are chew toys....

[boymom47]

I've had a bad chicken day. My neighbors dog caught and killed my Cinnamon Queen, and then my dog, who has never attacked any of the chickens, has started bathing, chewing on, and just tormenting my month old Red Stars. I'm currently holding the one he got, she's wrapped in a blanket, she's soaked, some feather loss but I don't see any bleeding (just red where the feathers should be) I have never had a hurt chicken, and I really don't know what to do. Advice?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you have photos of your coop/run we can make suggestions
How is your pullet doing? Even if she doesn't seem to have any external wounds, keep watch on her for signs of lethargy and shock. Keep her warm and calm, see that she has access to water and feed.

If you haven't done so, speak with your neighbor politely about their dog entering you property and killing your hen. I do realize that it's the neighbor's responsibility to keep their dog on it's own property, but we also have a responsibility to our flock as caretakers to ensure that they are safe. This means we have to take measures to defend our flocks, which imho, is by providing a secured coop/run and fencing.

 

[boymom47]

I'm sorry for your loss.

If you have photos of your coop/run we can make suggestions
How is your pullet doing? Even if she doesn't seem to have any external wounds, keep watch on her for signs of lethargy and shock. Keep her warm and calm, see that she has access to water and feed.

If you haven't done so, speak with your neighbor politely about their dog entering you property and killing your hen. I do realize that it's the neighbor's responsibility to keep their dog on it's own property, but we also have a responsibility to our flock as caretakers to ensure that they are safe. This means we have to take measures to defend our flocks, which imho, is by providing a secured coop/run and fencing.

My neighbor is actually my in laws, and they feel bad about the dog getting another chicken, but it's part of country living (we are very rural).
I can tell you my chickens are 109% free range, and whereas I really thought that was the best thing for them, I am going to have to put fencing up. My heart can't take much more of this. These are my babies, as much as I try not to be attached, I can't help it.
Pullet is doing okay, I think the whole flock is in shock. I have older leghorns, but I had 5 babies, and the Cinnamon Queen was definitely the head of the younger group, and I think they feel lost without her.

 

[boymom47]

Update: Two red stars got chewed on, I was able to get my hands on one, here's pics of the feather loss. I am new to the chicken world, so I admit I have no idea if this discoloration is mild or severe, and I know that chickens don't tend to act like they feel poorly, from what I've read. At this point I personally don't think it's necessary to treat, I will be keeping an eye on it, though.

 

[boymom47]

Y'all will have to excuse my lack of knowledge..... I guess I can only post one image at a time? So here's the other image.

 

[MROO]

Yes, you need to treat, especially where you see a hole (the second pic) and on raw skin (both pics.) Infections love that sort of opportunity. If you do nothing else, hit them both well with some Blu-Kote. You can generally get it at any feed or farm supply store. Some WalMarts even carry it. That stuff can be magic! And isolate them, if you can. The other chickens are very likely to go after the red spots.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

My neighbor is actually my in laws, and they feel bad about the dog getting another chicken, but it's part of country living (we are very rural).
I can tell you my chickens are 109% free range, and whereas I really thought that was the best thing for them, I am going to have to put fencing up. My heart can't take much more of this. These are my babies, as much as I try not to be attached, I can't help it.
Pullet is doing okay, I think the whole flock is in shock. I have older leghorns, but I had 5 babies, and the Cinnamon Queen was definitely the head of the younger group, and I think they feel lost without her.

Had one neighbor from down the road that I had to politely explain that their dog had demolished several of our chickens before I drove up and caught him in the act. Also explained that I didn't want to hurt a family pet but that I would be keeping either a pistol or rifle with me at all times while out in the yard for future use. Never saw the dog in our yard again and they now take him for walks down our country road in the opposite direction. They actually thanked me for letting them know before it did escalate. Even tried to reimburse us for our lost chickens but I told them I just didn't want to lose anymore to their dog and that I really didn't want to hurt a family pet but I had to protect my own pets.

On a separate occasion, there were two dogs from somewhere else that came prancing through the fields. Saw them before they reached the yard. Fired a shot toward them as a warning and haven't seen them back since.

Our chickens don't leave our yard. They don't come up past our house. The farthest they go is into the fields that surround our acreage to scratch for worms and bugs. The farmer farms organically so we don't have to worry about pesticide exposure. We firmly believe in free ranging here, but also in keeping their coops predator tight at night.

I'm sorry for your struggles. From one free ranger to another.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, you need to treat, especially where you see a hole (the second pic) and on raw skin (both pics.) Infections love that sort of opportunity. If you do nothing else, hit them both well with some Blu-Kote. You can generally get it at any feed or farm supply store. Some WalMarts even carry it. That stuff can be magic! And isolate them, if you can. The other chickens are very likely to go after the red spots.

Agreed. It looks like the one has a puncture wound,that's healing up, I would be looking for another puncture wound. The green is bruising, so this chick has been roughed up and possibly squeezed. In this particular situation, I would also use Blu Kote.

I would catch both and carefully inspect them for any more wounds. @MROO is correct, chickens heal remarkably well, but they still can get infection.

Personally, after application of Blu Kote, I would let them back with the others as long as they are not being picked at and are eating/drinking and active. I would still monitor them closely and inspect the wounds everyday.

 

[MROO]

Agreed.
Personally, after application of Blu Kote, I would let them back with the others as long as they are not being picked at and are eating/drinking and active.
View attachment 1410412

Absolutely! Chickens - at least my chickens - are drawn to the red of a wound. The blue spray disguises the weak spot, and they leave it pretty much alone. Wouldn't it be nice if that worked with school and workplace bullies, as well?

 

[boymom47]

Had one neighbor from down the road that I had to politely explain that their dog had demolished several of our chickens before I drove up and caught him in the act. Also explained that I didn't want to hurt a family pet but that I would be keeping either a pistol or rifle with me at all times while out in the yard for future use. Never saw the dog in our yard again and they now take him for walks down our country road in the opposite direction. They actually thanked me for letting them know before it did escalate. Even tried to reimburse us for our lost chickens but I told them I just didn't want to lose anymore to their dog and that I really didn't want to hurt a family pet but I had to protect my own pets.

On a separate occasion, there were two dogs from somewhere else that came prancing through the fields. Saw them before they reached the yard. Fired a shot toward them as a warning and haven't seen them back since.

Our chickens don't leave our yard. They don't come up past our house. The farthest they go is into the fields that surround our acreage to scratch for worms and bugs. The farmer farms organically so we don't have to worry about pesticide exposure. We firmly believe in free ranging here, but also in keeping their coops predator tight at night.

I'm sorry for your struggles. From one free ranger to another.

My husband actually fired a warning shot and told me to do the same, it has worked so far, and even with high bullet costs, it's cheaper than losing my pet chickens. And at least .22s are relatively cheap haha.