Fox attack. Injured Rooster

[glassdragonfly]

Cool Beans! Keep up the good work! Sometimes it takes a while but it sounds like he's getting stronger.

 

[dmvelez]

O.K. I think I actually managed to upload a video to YouTube. Kinda heartbreaking but here you go:

In the video you can see how he is 'bent' to the right side. When he sits in his sling he even leans to that right side, like his equilibrium is off. That is the side where he can't put weight on his leg, however, when I hold him he still grips my hand with that foot. Also in the video you can see how his wings are askew, just like his body. Everything is 'bent' in a C shape. I know he probably was bitten hard and probably shook too. Does anyone have any ideas if he will EVER get better and be able to stand/walk?

This video was taken exactly 2 weeks from the time he was attacked. He has improved SO MUCH since then, he was barely alive and now he's acting like a little boy again, pecking at me when he's annoyed that I'm messing with him too much. Probably bored stiff at this point, too. But this inability to stand has me worried he may never recover.

 

[glassdragonfly]

Poor Boy! Looks like he's trying to get it right. I would try to rig up a harness so you can hold his weight but let him work his legs in some grass. Physical therapy.

 

[dmvelez]

So it's three weeks now and no improvement on being able to put any weight on his right leg. He's back in the coop with his girls, but unable to move around himself. So he relies on me to put him down in the run to hang out and get groomed by his girls, then put him up in his sling for physical therapy, breakfast and dinner, and in a box in the coop with his girls at night. He's still twisted into a "C" shape and shows an obvious reaction (I'm going to say PAIN) when we mess with that right leg too much. It feels sharp up in the hip area where his thigh should attach to his body. I'm afraid he has a dislocated leg or broken hip/pelvis. I really don't know if he will ever recover and be able to walk or care for himself again. Sitting in the dirt pushing yourself around in a circle all day can't be that much fun.

 

[Eggcessive]

I am just reading about your rooster for the first time. Glad to hear that he has survived and is eating well, but sorry that he is still having problems with his right leg and balance. You are really doing a good job with him and I hope he continues to improve.

I had a hen last winter suddenly lose her balance, and could only take off running and end up on her side or fall backwards. I never knew what caused it, but she spent 5 weeks in a basket while I fed her wet food several times a day. She could occasional stand up only to fall over. Eventually she had had enough of the basket, and got up and stumbled around the coop. Eventually she decided she wanted out in the yard, and I could not keep her inside. Unfortunately, she was attacked by her flock who bloodied her comb. After trying to work things out, we just put her in our yard across the netting from the other birds.

She is doing great, albeit a little wobbly, but walks around an acrea all day long. She has never regained the ability to jump to a roost, and just noises around the yard all day ling. I am now trying to have her sleep in the coop again, and hopefully, reintegrate her back with the others. Hopefully, your rooster will regain some balance and leg strength eventually.

 

[dmvelez]

I am just reading about your rooster for the first time. Glad to hear that he has survived and is eating well, but sorry that he is still having problems with his right leg and balance. You are really doing a good job with him and I hope he continues to improve.

I had a hen last winter suddenly lose her balance, and could only take off running and end up on her side or fall backwards. I never knew what caused it, but she spent 5 weeks in a basket while I fed her wet food several times a day. She could occasional stand up only to fall over. Eventually she had had enough of the basket, and got up and stumbled around the coop. Eventually she decided she wanted out in the yard, and I could not keep her inside. Unfortunately, she was attacked by her flock who bloodied her comb. After trying to work things out, we just put her in our yard across the netting from the other birds.

She is doing great, albeit a little wobbly, but walks around an acrea all day long. She has never regained the ability to jump to a roost, and just noises around the yard all day ling. I am now trying to have her sleep in the coop again, and hopefully, reintegrate her back with the others. Hopefully, your rooster will regain some balance and leg strength eventually.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know this little guy could probably continue to "live" with the constant attention he's been getting this last three weeks but I don't see how he will ever be able to walk again. I feel so bad watching him sit there and try to scoot around, and when it gets dark he so desperately wants to get up in the coop where they feel 'safe.' That requires climbing up the plank and he can't do anything. With winter coming I don't see how he'll survive sitting on the cold ground all day long, especially with the pain since I think something must be broken, he's twisted so bad. I have the really hard choice of deciding on his future/quality of life if he's not going to get better. It's so tough!!