Flock was attacked by raccoons... help!

[Emavalos]

Hello everyone. My beloved flock of 4 hens was attacked by a pair of raccoons a few days ago just before dawn. One of my hens was wounded so badly, we ended up putting her down at the vet shortly after. The two of the girls were unharmed, but one has suffered a pretty bad gash to her breast. She shows no sign of infection, we’ve cleaned out her wound repeatedly since... but she’s getting depressed. (I think) she won’t eat, she won’t drink, she just hangs her head with her eyes closed. We’ve given her a tiny bit of aspirin in her water and that seems to help with the pain. I should note that weve been keeping her in the garage to heal and keep her free of flies. When is it ok for her to go out for some playtime again? I feel so bad for her. She seems so sad. Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed. Also, any chicken savvy owners who can call me at6616184635 to chat it over.. I’d so appreciate it. Thanks so much. Emma

 

[Chickassan]

Can you not bring the other two inside the garage for a visit? That way you can see if she's missing her flock or if something else is going on.

 

[Sue S]

So sorry for your loss, it's terrible when you lose an animal to a predator. I lost my 2 ducks to a raccoon this past winter, I can't give you any advice about chickens but I can tell you that the raccoons will be back for the other chickens, they are very persistent, I would definitely watch them for a few days when their out at dawn or dusk & make sure that the pen is secure, like I said raccoons are very persistent they will do anything to get to the chickens if they can. I would set up some traps to catch them

 

[Emavalos]

Can you not bring the other two inside the garage for a visit? That way you can see if she's missing her flock or if something else is going on.

Hi there! Thanks so much for the reply. So yes, we have been keeping the other two in there with her from 5pm-11am to give her some time with them. My only concern is if they start to peck at her bandages or wounds that I won’t be near to monitor the situation. They are very docile but I’ve been warned that chickens tend to pick on a wounded bird.

 

[Emavalos]

So sorry for your loss, it's terrible when you lose an animal to a predator. I lost my 2 ducks to a raccoon this past winter, I can't give you any advice about chickens but I can tell you that the raccoons will be back for the other chickens, they are very persistent, I would definitely watch them for a few days when their out at dawn or dusk & make sure that the pen is secure, like I said raccoons are very persistent they will do anything to get to the chickens if they can. I would set up some traps to catch them

Hi there, thank you so much for your reply. These girls are my first flock.. I am so heartbroken. They have such a life about them and it’s been rather difficult to handle this attack. I’ve kelt my girls in the garage to keep them safe since. We have set traps for the raccoons set and we have been hearing them on our roof at night so we hope it’s just a matter of time before we catch them. They even scared away my big pitbull who went after them to save the chickens. We learned she isn’t much of a guard dog after all. Lol! But yes, they are secure and we are holding tight. I’m just wishing I could better understand what our injured hens needs are. She seems very downcast and depressed today. She just wants to sleep even with the natural daylight shining in the garage. I’m amazed at how sensitive and emotionally intelligent they actually are.

 

[Chickassan]

Could you possibly keep her with or close to you then? I'm assuming you are close with your girls yes? If you can't, possibly give her a radio, just something to stimulate her when she can't have visitors. They are very intellegent, stimulation is important unless she is sleeping alot like a kid.

Hi there! Thanks so much for the reply. So yes, we have been keeping the other two in there with her from 5pm-11am to give her some time with them. My only concern is if they start to peck at her bandages or wounds that I won’t be near to monitor the situation. They are very docile but I’ve been warned that chickens tend to pick on a wounded bird.