Thank you! I went out this morning (against all advice) because I saw 2 refugees had returned to camp. They are still really shaken up and wouldn't allow me to catch them, so I decided the best way to get them back into the flock was to release all of them so they can be out together like usual (and hopefully go in together this evening like usual). In the process I went over the injuries.
The rooster, who seemed the worst yesterday is actually up on a perch and moving around very well, I expect he'll be fine.
The hen with the torn open back, I caught another hen picking at her, so I got her settled into a warm place with food and water in our garage, where she'll be alone. Tonight my husband will clean her wounds and apply a big layer or antibiotic salve. I'm glad it's winter and we don't have to worry about flies.
Another hen has either a dislocated or broken wing. I can feel that it's not attached the same way the other one is. I think the muscles are still intact as she's able to hold it up to her body, so I expect her to be disfigured, but OK.
The last is a hen with either a broken or dislocated leg. She's not getting around well at all. When my husband gets home I'll let him decide how to proceed.
I called the dog warden today and told her I'd like to go over our options. She told me yesterday how she likes to operate is if she can get the dog owners to compensate the homeowner for their livestock, she'll waive fees and the citation for them. Obviously this incentive helps farmers recoup their losses and it's a good idea. However the more I got to thinking about it, the more I thought maybe I'd rather see the dog owners get cited then me get $100. She said she had been thinking about it herself and she agrees with me. This is not the first time she's dealt with these 2 dogs and she is also interested in a legal trail in case something happens again. So she is citing them, it's an M-1 offence and will go on their record. There is also a fine of $119 per dog. Then she said she still wants to try to get them to compensate us for our loss(es), so she is going to offer to waive the fees ($35 impound fee + $8 overnight fee for 4 nights BC she won't release them until Monday x 2 dogs = $134) if they agree to pay us (which she will also take, so I never have to see them face-to-face and will remain anonymous) she'll waive that $134. They'll actually save some money if they pay us. If they don't compensate us, they will owe her the full $372 and she will tell them to be prepared to go to civil court over this, where they will incure MANY more fees and it will cost them MUCH more in the long run. Any way you look at it, this is a very expensive mistake for them. But honestly, I was SO shaken up yesterday, and after putting in HOURS with the dog warden and tracking down chickens, I feel like they deserve it...
I asked her about my rights if the dogs were to return to our property and she said we have every right to destroy the animals. She actually said I went above and beyond what she would consider reasonable yesterday, especially in my condition. So next time will be their last time. She also said if I were to miss and just injure the dogs, that even though Ohio Revised Code says I'm not liable that a good attorney could work it up to be an animal cruelty case, so to be sure it's a fatal shot.
TaraBellaBirds, doesn't bed rest SUCK? I was put on it at 8 weeks (yes, EIGHT weeks) with our 2nd (our first passed away at 3 months old due to prematurity related complications), I was able to carry until 37 weeks with him, but I needed a cerclage, progesterone injections and 7 long months of bed rest. This time around we've done the cerclage and injections, but were hoping to avoid strict bed rest. Then they diagnosed me with previa. It's the perfect storm.
Hoping and praying for the best. Bed rest is NOT easy with a 2.5 year old!
). I cleaned the wounds as best as I could with soap and water. Then I put antibacterial fairly thick as deep as I could, then replaced the skin. You could cover the wounds with gauze but I did not. You probably should separate them from the flock if possible if not, just keep a close eye to make sure they are eating, drinking and not being picked on. Also scrambled egg is a good meal if they don't seem to want to eat.
I went though a rough pregnancy too with my middle boy, placental abruption and bed rest for 4 months while moving into a new house 
. He is 5 now and still giving us a difficult time 
!!!
Hoping and praying for the best. Bed rest is NOT easy with a 2.5 year old!
