Fox attack - limp neck

[Loona]

Pick up some crumble grower feed today.

Got it, tried it, she snubbed it too! Ah, it's frustrating. The only thing she will willingly eat is the beetles, this particular clover, chunks of watermelon and a little yoghurt. Everything else gets her flustered. She starts cackling to herself very mildly when I try to get her to eat something else as if she's saying I will not eat that no matter what so stop trying!

I'm now soaking the crumbles and will running through the Nutribullet to see about pureeing it and test it to see if it'll go through the feed tube. At least it's a variation of something else. She does seem to be doing well on Exact. But wow, she'd have died of starvation by now if not for tube feeding. Outside she does peck at the grass, balding the area she's in. I think if/when she regains mobility, that is when she'll start eating. At least I hope so! Otherwise, we will have to make her a nestbox in the kitchen cabinet and keep her as live decoration!!
LOL Family came by yesterday and remarked how she looked so much better. So that was nice to hear the contrast. Will have to take a little video of how she's getting around outside. Tonight she did make some steps again without the sling or me holding her up. It's not far but it's something.

 

[Kiki]

I think you are doing a great job!

 

[Suzi18]

You are to be commended. You're doing a great job!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I think you are doing a great job!

X 2

 

[Summer Lion]

Amazing job! My heart is happy with the progress made. Thanks for the update!

 

[6PeckinChickens]

You are to be commended. You're doing a great job!

X3

My heart is happy that she is doing well! I was worried for her and for you, but it seems she is one tough girl! It's crazy to think that we love these chickens as much as we do! My boys and I spend time with ours as my husband watches from outside their prison yard. He thinks it funny how my "paparazzi" follows me everywhere!

With her leg, have you tried to move it to see what her mobility/strength is in it? Kinda like a rehab? I think it would be good to check it, you could compare mobility, feel and symmetry to her other leg. But with the love and care you are giving her, I wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to go back to the coop! LOL

 

[6PeckinChickens]

Just wanting to check in on you and Olga. Hope all is well, I still think of you all often!

 

[Loona]

Thought I'd stop in to give an update on Olga. For starters, it's a real quandary.

She still isn't eating layer feed of any kind. She will eat mealworms and mixes of grass/particular clover/chickweed. If I can find a small cricket she'll eat it. She might nip at bread and eat a piece or two, but nothing significant. She used to be a very hearty eater. I'd say she was the heaviest hen. So yes, I'm still tube feeding her. She gets Exact 3X a day and pureed pellets 1X. Some days her poops look normal, other days they all splat.

As for her ability to walk, it's quite bizarre. Took a while for her to even get up to walk, but now she can. But then she still puts her left wing out to balance. Sometimes she keeps herself up, sometimes not. She still circles to the left whenever she falls over : \ She can walk more of a distance now. But she would prefer to stop and lay on the ground eating in the grass. Here's what really bizarre. I put her into the chicken tractor during the day when it's nice out. Sometimes we'd bring her another hen for company and enticement. One day last week I moved the tractor while she was in it. She actually got herself up and started walking forward. So I kept going forward and she kept walking. It was so strange! She looked normal as can be. So I stopped and she sat. So I did it again and she got up and walked again. How can this be? Well now this has become a daily exercise. I walk her in the chicken tractor. She can handle a full circle around the driveway. Then she begins to pant. When she starts to pant I stop. Once she's tired she loses her strength and when she sits she leans to her side. : \ I just prop her up and she will stay that way. But another day, including today, I go out and find her on her side and she is apparently out of breath from trying to get up. She was not doing this before. I thought those days were over. So this is all becoming very frustrating, and I have no idea what to think or what to do.

We put her in a bath like we do with a chicken that looks 'funky' to see if it would snap her out of something, but it was only good to just clean her butt. Made no difference in her composure. So the daily routine continues. We feed her in the morning. Later I bring her a hefty amount of greens. I put her in the chicken tractor and she stays for most of the day. I bring her in towards the evening and tubefeed, and then we get her up again around 10pm to feed her. I'm at the point where I think she does have some kind of neurological problem that is not going to allow her to ever be a normal hen again. We've exposed her to the flock, and a couple of them picked on her. She would not walk in the coop. I occasionally set her outside the coop and it does seem to be calming to her. She seems to be out of the woods from all her wounds but she just isn't eating her feed nor wanting to even move around. Just either sit in the bin or the chicken tractor. We always just let her loose, and every time, she wants to walk towards the bushes because I believe she instinctively wants to hide. Sigh........ It's all frustrating. If I could only get her to eat, I think she might make it, but the fact that tube feeding is what is sustaining her is not ideal. We will give it some more time though.

Just thought to pop in for the update. Thank you for reading

 

[Kiki]

Thanks for the update.
You are doing very good..I would have gave up a long time ago.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad to hear she is still with you. You have done such a good job taking care of her.

I know this thread is long and you've received a lot of good information and well wishes - forgive me if this has already been suggested - have you tried offering chick starter? Maybe in a wet mash - I've found some of mine find it agreeable when they don't feel well- you can even use a little watered down egg to make the mash or stir in a little yogurt.

As for the way she is acting - it's hard to know, but as you suspect, she may have suffered nerve damage from the attack. It seems like she has made a great deal of improvement, so hopefully with your patience and TLC she will recover to the point she does not need all the daily attention - I'm sure it's exhausting, you are to be commended for your kindness and commitment.

Thank you for the update.