Dogs savaged chickens

[alinas2010]

Yes I said that to my husband, least both of them are together not lonely too whilst they recover. They both scoffed some mealworms earlier so got some nice full crops to go to sleep on. Their wounds are doing better day by day and their limps less and less

I have a small run (one of those eglu 2meter runs that come with the coop - too small for a proper run, but good for broodies and rehabs) so I will put that up tomorrow to let them have some outside time. Being stuck in the intensive care unit that is my downstairs toilet isn't an ideal spot for day and night

Their wounds are thankfully on their backs so I have covered that with chicken saddles to stop others and themselves pecking at the injuries.

I lost my head hen so the second in command is just trying to assert her new found dominance and normally I would just let them work it out but it feels so cruel when they are already injured! I think it is just normal pecking order stuff but I'm being overly protective I think

Cookie was my head hen and she wouldn't have any fighting or upset in the flock so this is devastating on so many levels a non chicken owner wouldn't understand! But it could have been so much worse had we not come home when we did.

The eglu run will be perfect! One thing about those prefab coops is that they work so well for things like this and like you said broodies and rehabs. I’m really glad to hear they are recovering well and I bet they will be thrilled to get some outdoor time. I’m always supportive of the thought that fresh air and sunshine are great additions to the healing process. They’re lucky to have a you, you have a great plan and are looking out for them. Picking up the pieces and rebuilding is so tough sometimes, hang in there

 

[Muser]

The eglu run will be perfect! One thing about those prefab coops is that they work so well for things like this and like you said broodies and rehabs. I’m really glad to hear they are recovering well and I bet they will be thrilled to get some outdoor time. I’m always supportive of the thought that fresh air and sunshine are great additions to the healing process. They’re lucky to have a you, you have a great plan and are looking out for them. Picking up the pieces and rebuilding is so tough sometimes, hang in there

I've set just the run up in there for now and let them out in the area where they can stretch their legs a bit. They are really enjoying the sunshine and that makes me remember chicken keeping is worth the stressful times when I hear them all chirping happily in the daylight

I will be cautious of fly strike since it's been warmer here the last few days but their matching saddles makes me smile too

 

[alinas2010]

I've set just the run up in there for now and let them out in the area where they can stretch their legs a bit. They are really enjoying the sunshine and that makes me remember chicken keeping is worth the stressful times when I hear them all chirping happily in the daylight

I will be cautious of fly strike since it's been warmer here the last few days but their matching saddles makes me smile too

View attachment 4082469

Aww they do look content fresh air and sunshine will do them good. I agree with you; so worth it, just look at their little faces. Thanks for the update!

 

[Muser]

Probably last update on this thread for now unless something terrible happens (touch wood it doesn’t).

The injured girls still have their jackets on still but their skin underneath is coming through amazing and feathers are already popping up on both girls. Neither have limps anymore and are integrated back into the flock with the others no issues. I'm keeping an eye on the wounds daily to check no fly strike is starting since it's warmed up a lot over the last few days but so far, no problems with the wounds!

Outside of my two initial losses, I feel I've been incredibly lucky with the rest of them, a tiny bit of chipped beak on one and a few cuts and grazes but everyone else is pretty much fully healed and my two severely injured are already on the mend.

My neighbours, true to their word, I haven't seen the dog since (let's hope it stays that way!)

Thanks again for all the support and advice at a time I really needed it and this is the only place I feel people truly understand how much we love our feather babies

 

[Bawkbok]

That is fantastic news! I'm so happy they are recovering so well. Great job on their care. With time, your effort and love, they are recuperating well.

 

[alinas2010]

I’m really glad they’re healing well still, even better that they’re integrating back into the flock okay. Thank you for the update and taking us with you as they recover. I hope even the tiniest bit of peace can be found at the end of their healing journey

 

[Chickiwarts]

A neighbours dog got loose (again), came only our property and savaged our chickens. He broke through the large wire run and the smaller hardcloth run too (must of been in a frenzy to get through that).

Chicken One is dead so that's out of the question. Can't do much for her except bury her (My Ayam Cemani, which stings a lot).

Second chicken has a bite mark that looks failry deep, I can see blood, but that's stopped, it's definitely gone through skin, muscle and feathers pulled off on her rump but she's eating, drinking and walking around.

Third chicken has been defeathered on her back and the skin looks torn but no bite marks into the muscle. She's quiet and not eating.

Fourth chicken is showing major signs of stress, quiet, was panting (that's stopped now) and is going to sleep but shows no physical signs of trauma.

Fifth chicken looks like she may have an egg that may have broke inside her during the stress, I could see runny egg on her behind but can't see any trauma (will have a better look in the daylight tomorrow).

The other five chickens have minor cuts and scraps but are relatively unharmed and not showing signs of stress or discomfort.

Outside of isolating each chicken, putting tea tree on their wounds, keeping them quiet (which we have done all of already), is there any other advice you guys can give to help speed their recovery?

Insult to injury, our neighbours, despite knowing the havoc their dog has wraught, hasn't even apologised to us yet, but that's just salt in my wounds and I can deal with that myself.

Thanks in advance all, sorry for the huge post.

I'm so sorry.. ugly hearted neighbors are the worst. Sending prayers for your feathered babies.

 

[Bawkbok]

Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry that happened. Dispatch the dog if it comes on your property again.

All your chickens should be treated for shock. For one bird it is one cup of water with a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking soda, mix together. That should be the only source of water for 48 hours. Since you have so many injured, increase the amount obviously to what you need for the numbers.

To treat the wounds, wash them with saline solution, chlorhexidine / Hibiclens (Wal-Mart) to clean them, apply triple antibiotic without pain killer, keep the wounds moist. If you have Vetericyn spray, I would use that before applying the triple antibiotic. That can be purchased at TSC or your local feed store. Do not wrap the wounds. You can also use manuka honey to keep them moist, also at Wal-Mart in the pharmacy section. You may need to clean them two-three times a day to ensure they stay clean of dirt and debris.

Pictures of the chickens would be helpful for others to further instruct you properly.

Calling on the educators to provide their expertise. Best of luck to you.
@azygous
@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Probably last update on this thread for now unless something terrible happens (touch wood it doesn’t).

The injured girls still have their jackets on still but their skin underneath is coming through amazing and feathers are already popping up on both girls. Neither have limps anymore and are integrated back into the flock with the others no issues. I'm keeping an eye on the wounds daily to check no fly strike is starting since it's warmed up a lot over the last few days but so far, no problems with the wounds!

Outside of my two initial losses, I feel I've been incredibly lucky with the rest of them, a tiny bit of chipped beak on one and a few cuts and grazes but everyone else is pretty much fully healed and my two severely injured are already on the mend.

My neighbours, true to their word, I haven't seen the dog since (let's hope it stays that way!)

Thanks again for all the support and advice at a time I really needed it and this is the only place I feel people truly understand how much we love our feather babies

@Muser It's been a couple of months since your last update.
How are your hens doing?

 

[Muser]

@Muser It's been a couple of months since your last update.
How are your hens doing?

I still miss my two girls that I lost, especially my special little mutt hen Cookie. I really miss her every day. I have a wind chime over their little graves where I buried them so I think about them when the wind blows gently.

As for the two severely injured ones, they are perfectly fine! Still have some missing feathers where the scars are but they are laying healthy eggs, clucking, scratching and doing their chicken things

And the rest are now back to being confident little girls too, they were very quiet for a few months but they are back on form now my head hen is now Waffle and is my cuddliest chicken. She likes a snuggle and is keeping everyone in check really well so it's worked out xx