Fox Attack and questions on recovery

[cafafwhisp]

Hello,

I have owned chickens for 6 years and am so greatful this has been our only ever fox attack. It has been 1 week since the attack I have been giving electrolytes in water and offered food. My chicken isn't preening, she doesn't drink without being given water from a syringe and then she drinks, she has had some food but doesn't eat without it being put in her mouth when she realises and starts to swallow. She is also unsteady on her legs and sometimes falls to one side. The wounds have healed but she seems a bit brain damaged.
Am I expecting too much from her in 1 week, obviously shock could last but how long do I let her be like this, am I prolonging her pain?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Shadrach]

Hello,

I have owned chickens for 6 years and am so greatful this has been our only ever fox attack. It has been 1 week since the attack I have been giving electrolytes in water and offered food. My chicken isn't preening, she doesn't drink without being given water from a syringe and then she drinks, she has had some food but doesn't eat without it being put in her mouth when she realises and starts to swallow. She is also unsteady on her legs and sometimes falls to one side. The wounds have healed but she seems a bit brain damaged.
Am I expecting too much from her in 1 week, obviously shock could last but how long do I let her be like this, am I prolonging her pain?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Often the problem isn't the wounds one can see, it's damage to internal organs from the pressure of the foxes jaws.
I would be inclined to put her out of her misery.

 

[ksbkeys]

Hello,

I have owned chickens for 6 years and am so greatful this has been our only ever fox attack. It has been 1 week since the attack I have been giving electrolytes in water and offered food. My chicken isn't preening, she doesn't drink without being given water from a syringe and then she drinks, she has had some food but doesn't eat without it being put in her mouth when she realises and starts to swallow. She is also unsteady on her legs and sometimes falls to one side. The wounds have healed but she seems a bit brain damaged.
Am I expecting too much from her in 1 week, obviously shock could last but how long do I let her be like this, am I prolonging her pain?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

To only take water and food when given to her this far out from the attack indicates very serious issues. As already said, I would be inclined to kindly euthanize her. So sorry!

 

[cafafwhisp]

Yes, I had thought the same. She's certainly a fighter, she's only 2. I've put her out where she can see the flock in the hope she'll see them preening, eating and behaving like chickens and eat something. I threw in a load of corn and they all ran to it, she seemed interested to join in so I threw some to her, but she just pecked it and then wiped her beak on the ground as though she doesn't know what to do with it once it's in her mouth.