Dogs attacked chicken

[rockinD]

My kids accidentally let one of the chickens out while my Lab and my parents' Golden Retriever were in my back yard. They went after her but other than loss of some feathers she seems unharmed. She got stuck in some lattice trying to run under the house to escape the dogs. How my 8 year old daughter managed to catch and hold both 80+ pound dogs off of her I'll never know. I managed to eventually catch her and put her back in the run/coop with the others.

She's walking fine, ran when I tried to get her back in the run. I saw her drink water and even eat some treats I had in the run. But since then, she's gone up to the coop and seems to be stressed/tired (who can blame her). I've examined her all over and don't find any scrapes, puncture wounds or tears but I'm still concerned about possible internal injuries (the dogs seemed to have pawed at her). She's roosting and trying to sleep, but when awake she's doing a soft call to the other chickens.

Anyone who's been through this, your advice/experience is appreciated. Also I've read where people bring them in the house for a day or so afterwards in an ICU type set up. Is this preferred? I wonder if that would stress her out more and I should leave her on the roost and see how she progresses? Your thoughts please!

 

[liz9910]

Hi, from what it sounds like she may be in shock, a little TLC in the house wouldn't hurt. You would also be able to monitor her for any injuries better. Good luck, hope she's ok.

 

[farmgirl1031]

I just went through this but my lab and boxer actually tore the skin off of my hen I didnt think she would make it. She would stand in a corner all alone and just sit there she wouldnt eat or drink as much as usual. I think your chicken might be in shock or really stressed out. That kind of stuff is traumatic for them. I put my hen inside and fed her boiled eggs and yogurt everyday I also gave her a little bit of infant advil. She is better now and happy and healthy as can be and her skin is growing back! I think you should seperate your harmed chicken from the rest of the flock so she can have some alone time and rest without other chickens bothering her! Also pet her and talk to her and spoil her! I hope this works I am sure it is just shock try feeling around her whole body baby she got a bruise or something see if she reacts when you touch certain spots.

 

[rockinD]

I've felt and pushed all over and haven't gotten an adverse reaction from her. She's come down from the coop and is in the run. She's staying in the back of the run at the furthest point from the gate but I'm glad to see her come back down. Five of my seven are 18 weeks old and were raised together (her included). Those five are all laying together and she seems content surrounded by her friends. She's much warmer outside than she'd be in here so I'm going to leave her for now and continue to keep a close eye on her.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. So good to have a forum like this to turn to!