Fox attack - limp neck

[biophiliac]

Put on my watched threads so I can find it.

 

[MKelley]

I'm so sorry about your hen. I first would like to say I've had a few experiences with traumatic injuries to my birds and most times have been totally flabbergasted at how resilient they are. A few years ago a neighbors dog tore through my flock shaking chickens until they didn't "play" anymore. He had killed 5 by the time we realized it and rescued the 6th from the throws of the attack. She was severely injured with puncture marks all over her body, was in shock and barely responsive. I was advised by everyone to put her down but couldn't do it. The vet gave me a prescription strength antibiotic ointment for her wounds and an injection of antibiotic to give her for a number of days. I didn't expect her to live but just couldn't put her down. I kept her quarantined from the other chickens and miraculously she pulled through. She never laid another egg but lived a healthy happy life for about two more years. I think she was six years old when she died. In a more recent instance, about six weeks ago, we had several broody hens setting on eggs in different locations. My attention was drawn to a ruckus in one of the brooders. When I went to investigate I found a recently hatched chick laying unconscious while the mother stood over it pecking it to death. Half of its head was missing, one eye was seriously messed up, its ear was missing and it was unconscious but breathing. I thought it was dying, I was horrified and didn't know what to do. I put in a cage and left it to die. A few hours later I heard peeping coming from the cage and when I checked the chick was trying to lift its head. I brought it inside and let it recover for about a month and miraculously that chick survived and has turned into the sweetest chicken in my flock. I have a couple other stories but my point is that I think chickens are incredibly resilient and with faith and some TLC I believe your beloved bird could survive.

 

[Loona]

Very good news. Still keep in mind the total fluids she needs in 24 hrs to stay hydrated Try to measure what she takes in until back to normal. Scrambled eggs, yoghurt etc may tempt her. Watermelon juice was an excellent idea!!!

Yes, your daily amounts really made me think of what I could do. Just happened to have a watermelon and she loved every drop. I called the one vet who was willing to give me the 'bladder tube" a year ago or so but he called back when I was outside so I missed his call. I'll call him in the morning. See if I can get this in case i need it.

I did give her a heaping tsp of whole milk organic yogurt and she ate it up. I'm def going to do some eggs in the morning. She is sleeping, it's about midnight. I felt her crop and it's def more full, squishy. I hope it's not a problem. I worry about every little thing. I will keep you posted. Will def try some scrambled eggs tomorrow.

This evening my husband battened down the hatches applied two additional locks on the doors and finished off anything that needed an update. Looks good. I do have a creepy feeling that sucker is coming back. I put a heavy long garden tool and a baseball bat outside the pen if I ever need it. They're shut up tight tonight and for every night here on out. My goodness. Never let your guard down. No truer words when it comes to keeping them safe from predators. I'd put out a trap, but it's pointless in our area. One moves out another moves in.

Thanks again for all the dialog and help

 

[Loona]

I'm so sorry about your hen. I first would like to say I've had a few experiences with traumatic injuries to my birds and most times have been totally flabbergasted at how resilient they are. A few years ago a neighbors dog tore through my flock shaking chickens until they didn't "play" anymore. He had killed 5 by the time we realized it and rescued the 6th from the throws of the attack. She was severely injured with puncture marks all over her body, was in shock and barely responsive. I was advised by everyone to put her down but couldn't do it. The vet gave me a prescription strength antibiotic ointment for her wounds and an injection of antibiotic to give her for a number of days. I didn't expect her to live but just couldn't put her down. I kept her quarantined from the other chickens and miraculously she pulled through. She never laid another egg but lived a healthy happy life for about two more years. I think she was six years old when she died. In a more recent instance, about six weeks ago, we had several broody hens setting on eggs in different locations. My attention was drawn to a ruckus in one of the brooders. When I went to investigate I found a recently hatched chick laying unconscious while the mother stood over it pecking it to death. Half of its head was missing, one eye was seriously messed up, its ear was missing and it was unconscious but breathing. I thought it was dying, I was horrified and didn't know what to do. I put in a cage and left it to die. A few hours later I heard peeping coming from the cage and when I checked the chick was trying to lift its head. I brought it inside and let it recover for about a month and miraculously that chick survived and has turned into the sweetest chicken in my flock. I have a couple other stories but my point is that I think chickens are incredibly resilient and with faith and some TLC I believe your beloved bird could survive.

OMG, that is absolutely amazing! She sounds so precious! I am def learning from alot of people here how resilient they are. I know it doesn't always turn out good but it is definitely worth trying. I am happy to see Olga showing signs of improvement, but I am still so worried. I have to wonder if she is actually ill on top of the attack maybe that's why she was it's pick. The other 6 unscathed. Hopefully tomorrow will be another day of positive recovery. I'll update. Thank you for the encouragement

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Loona, hope you had some rest last night, you had such a long day. Read late last night's posts and so glad your little girl seems to be doing better (sending hugs and pats on the back), you really worked hard for her and it sounds like it will pay off. If you have a vet who will give you a feeding tube, I would take it, even if you don't need it this time, it might be nice to have for your chicken first aid kit. Keep us posted, take care of yourself as well, and as always in these cases my prayers and thoughts are with you and Olga.

 

[biophiliac]

Good advice @Ursuline Chick ... Get yourself an Avatar OK?

and @Loona , @MKelley Avatars????

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Thanks, will try to find a picture of family or flock or original Roo that started it all.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Also loona, we have to trap for possums everynight, or it gets bad. Usually just use a few dinner scraps. We have removed at least half a dozen this year alone and one large rat that got caught in the have a heart trap, like it was a snap trap. We fight those regularly as well. City life, who knew. LOL

 

[abraga]

Our only EE laid balled up laying still, feathers everywhere as the fox ran out. This happened in the middle of the night last night. My daughter was awakened by the horses and chickens clucking. I carried Olga to the house and laid her down. Her neck is so limp and she just lays there with eyes closed. I've nursed her all night cleaning her wounds. Bite marks to the neck and her vent is torn. She is miserable and I feel she is suffering.

She has gotten a few spastic moments. I did have some Metacam on hand and gave her 2ccs. I have no idea what to do. It's breaking my heart. I don't know whether to give her some time or figure out a way to put her to sleep.

The worst of the attack is her neck. It can't be broken, or she'd be dead, but I imagine there is the soft tissue damage, just don't know how extensive. There are puncture wounds and I have cleaned them several times and they're not bleeding anymore.

Taking her to a vet is not an option as they will just put her down because of her appearance. She's still alive though and she is a tough hen, the biggest too, top of the pecking order. I just love her so much and hate to see this and I just don't know what to do.

I have her laying on her side with a soft towel around her to keep her feet warm. I've flipped her to the other side once. It's about 8am and I've been up since 2am. I'm exhausted, worried and feeling sick over the whole ordeal. She just lays there with eyes closed. Won't open them. Her breathing isn't labored, it's normal. I have put some ml's of water into her mouth a couple times, but not sure if that's good or bad. IDK what to do. I'm not sure if theres a chance of recovery or not.

I would really love to here if you've been through this before . Is this a common reaction after surviving a fox attack? Thank you so much in advance for any thoughts.

Marsha

She us most likely in shock. Keep her warm..best thing is to keep her warm and quiet. I wouldn't move her right now. You've done ur best cleaning her up. Now let her rest and see if she comes around. Do you have nutri drench or something similar? If she comes around..u can drip something line that on her beak to get fluids n2 her. Right now..best thing is rest. I hope ur girl makes it.

 

[Loona]

Loona, hope you had some rest last night, you had such a long day. Read late last night's posts and so glad your little girl seems to be doing better (sending hugs and pats on the back), you really worked hard for her and it sounds like it will pay off. If you have a vet who will give you a feeding tube, I would take it, even if you don't need it this time, it might be nice to have for your chicken first aid kit. Keep us posted, take care of yourself as well, and as always in these cases my prayers and thoughts are with you and Olga.

Thank you for your thoughtful well wishes So nice of you to say. Warms my heart. I did get a good nights sleep. I set my alarm for 2:30 just so I could get up and get a listen outdoors. Left the window open, as we mostly do anyway, but I just wanted to get up to go outside and listen. All sounded well. Feels good to know we did an update and further precautions. Olga was sleeping soundly.

This morning I gave her another dose of Metacam. It's supposedly an NSAID, like Advil for people, as in it's a pain reliever w/o drowsiness. I'll give it a while to kick in before I get her up. Seems when I get her up she takes poop. She's not pooping while laying there and it's questionable. Her vent area is questionable too. But will give her a big look over and try feeding her.

Thanks again!