FLOCK ATTACK!!!!!

[Folly's place]

During the day free ranging birds aren't likely to be killed in groups by raccoons, but canines are absolutely a big risk.
Possibly a weasel, but still, dogs, foxes, or coyotes seem most likely.
Mary

 

[Chickenlover0810]

not alot of dogs but people do go on walks with their dogs past our house. what should i do about the gash?

 

[Araucana Nest]

not alot of dogs but people do go on walks with their dogs past our house. what should i do about the gash?

Clean out the wound with water, pour some hydrogen peroxide on it and pack it with an antibiotic powder, like sulfa, or else if you don't have the powder, apply neosporin and let it air overnight. Keep her quiet and calm and dry. Be sure she is able to reach food and water tomorrow. She's probably in shock and will benefit from being left in a calm, quiet, familiar place. I hope she recovers fully and quickly. I've nursed back hens with bad wounds with the above strategy and adding "Rooster Booster" to their water.

I've not experienced raccoons killing multiples in one go. A fox would, coyotes would and dogs would. No experience with weasels.

 

[aart]

Clean out the wound with water, pour some hydrogen peroxide on it and pack it with an antibiotic powder, like sulfa, or else if you don't have the powder, apply neosporin and let it air overnight. Keep her quiet and calm and dry. Be sure she is able to reach food and water tomorrow. She's probably in shock and will benefit from being left in a calm, quiet, familiar place. I hope she recovers fully and quickly. I've nursed back hens with bad wounds with the above strategy and adding "Rooster Booster" to their water.

Good advice but only use the HP once, it can destroy new skin too.
Saline is better for more cleanings. Keep any feathers out of wound.
Might want to start a new thread in the injuries forum.

would a racoon or fox kill six out of 12?!?!?

Fox would or other canine.

 

[Chickenlover0810]

Clean out the wound with water, pour some hydrogen peroxide on it and pack it with an antibiotic powder, like sulfa, or else if you don't have the powder, apply neosporin and let it air overnight. Keep her quiet and calm and dry. Be sure she is able to reach food and water tomorrow. She's probably in shock and will benefit from being left in a calm, quiet, familiar place. I hope she recovers fully and quickly. I've nursed back hens with bad wounds with the above strategy and adding "Rooster Booster" to their water.

I've not experienced raccoons killing multiples in one go. A fox would, coyotes would and dogs would. No experience with weasels.

when you say "sulfa" is that copper sulfate? cause if it is i have copper sulfate

 

[Folly's place]

I think an ointment is much better, rather than a powder. Not copper sulfate!
Neosporin, Silvadene (Rx) or maluka honey.
Mary

 

[Araucana Nest]

when you say "sulfa" is that copper sulfate? cause if it is i have copper sulfate

Sulfatiazole. It is a powdered form that is pharmaceutical grade available for plants without a prescription. Look for 99% purity. Don't buy the fish meds, they may have other things in there mixed in.

I use it on myself as a tick repellent and for minor cuts and I use it on all of my animals for cuts. It is not for internal use. If you can't find it now due to the VFD, there is a powdered form of "neosporin" called "polvos sulfa". It isn't sulfatiazole but it is an antibacterial powder. I prefer powders to ointments and liquids cause they stay on. Watch your chicken for adverse effects and wash off if there is any. I've never seen/heard of an allergic reaction but it is best to be cautious.

Adding: ditto on using hydrogen peroxide only once for initial cleaning. Saline for routine cleaning is better.

 

[Araucana Nest]

I think an ointment is much better, rather than a powder. Not copper sulfate!
Neosporin, Silvadene (Rx) or maluka honey.
Mary

Silver sulfadiazine is really good but it's a script. I prefer powders because they stay on and don't "cook" with the body heat. The powder helps keep the wound dry.

 

[aart]

I prefer powders because they stay on and don't "cook" with the body heat. The powder helps keep the wound dry.

Might be a toss up between keeping it dry and keeping it moist.
Don't want to wound to dry out too much.

Are you in the US @Awakening Forest?
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. Not sure if you figured what killed your birds, my first thought would be a fox, maybe a coyote. I hope you put up a game cameras as @Folly's place suggested. The predator will be back and has been probably lurking looking for an opportunity and found one. Personally I would trap it and eliminate it. It will keep coming back. I have used leg traps and live traps successfully and eliminated my killers. Good luck...