Fox attack - limp neck

[Loona]

I'm so glad to hear that she has improved. You have done such a wonderful job taking care of her.
The UPS man story did tickle me a little - poor dear.
Thank you so much for the update - I hope you and Olga both continue to do well.

Yes, it rather tickled me too, because I can't blame her, that UPS truck would be crazy big to a chicken!
It's still quite bizarre, but in a happy way, to have a chicken just walking around the house! Olga seriously acts like a pet. She quietly walks around from room to room checking on things and stopping to groom herself and of course pooping! Good thing we have hardwood floors throughout and a great rug cleaner. I clean after her all day and we wash our hands like crazy. She isn't scared or timid of anyone. She understands things we say or ask. I've discovered that she loves a soft blanket that's full of fluffy stuff. She 'roosts' in a litterbox with a lid. It's so cute to see her put herself to bed every night, and never poops in it. It's always clean. She lays her eggs in there too.

Everyone that comes over is happy to see how far she's come. They call her the miracle chicken because I think people thought it was all in vain and she was going to die. Her limp neck (like jelly) and initial infection were most worrisome and didn't look good. I waited a couple days before using an antibiotic, so my advice would be to start it right away. I wondered myself at times if it was all in vain. I heard about the neuro problems but part of me wondered if time was part of the cure. It is. It took some intense care in the beginning, and we put off our summer vacation to care for her, and we can say it was totally worth it. I seriously couldn't have done this without the help and support of all of you here, it pushed me along. All I can say is thank you so much and Olga surely thanks you too! The advice and support here is outstanding!

 

[biophiliac]

Yes, it rather tickled me too, because I can't blame her, that UPS truck would be crazy big to a chicken!
It's still quite bizarre, but in a happy way, to have a chicken just walking around the house! Olga seriously acts like a pet. She quietly walks around from room to room checking on things and stopping to groom herself and of course pooping! Good thing we have hardwood floors throughout and a great rug cleaner. I clean after her all day and we wash our hands like crazy. She isn't scared or timid of anyone. She understands things we say or ask. I've discovered that she loves a soft blanket that's full of fluffy stuff. She 'roosts' in a litterbox with a lid. It's so cute to see her put herself to bed every night, and never poops in it. It's always clean. She lays her eggs in there too.

Everyone that comes over is happy to see how far she's come. They call her the miracle chicken because I think people thought it was all in vain and she was going to die. Her limp neck (like jelly) and initial infection were most worrisome and didn't look good. I waited a couple days before using an antibiotic, so my advice would be to start it right away. I wondered myself at times if it was all in vain. I heard about the neuro problems but part of me wondered if time was part of the cure. It is. It took some intense care in the beginning, and we put off our summer vacation to care for her, and we can say it was totally worth it. I seriously couldn't have done this without the help and support of all of you here, it pushed me along. All I can say is thank you so much and Olga surely thanks you too! The advice and support here is outstanding!

What good news! Your commitment to heR was a major factor, IMO.

 

[biophiliac]

Re the time factor, nerves take a very long time to grow but re-connections are possible with patience. After a dental extraction I had numbness in half my lower lip for around 6 months till the cut/damaged nerves healed. Continued best wishes to you both!

 

[coach723]

So glad she is doing so well. Your commitment to her is inspiring! And your sharing of the journey and process will likely help many people in the future who have to deal with a predator attack. Thanks so much for sharing and continued best wishes!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just a thought - have you considered buying or making her diapers to wear when she is inside? Might lessen some of the cleanup

Quite a few people keep chickens indoors full time, so there used to be a thread about house chickens, but I can't seem to find it

 

[Loona]

Re the time factor, nerves take a very long time to grow but re-connections are possible with patience. After a dental extraction I had numbness in half my lower lip for around 6 months till the cut/damaged nerves healed. Continued best wishes to you both!

The same thing happened to me. Had nerves cut in my mouth, took so long to come back, so yeah I thought if this is nerve damage, it's either going to take a while or be permanent. Only time will tell!

 

[Loona]

Just a thought - have you considered buying or making her diapers to wear when she is inside? Might lessen some of the cleanup

Quite a few people keep chickens indoors full time, so there used to be a thread about house chickens, but I can't seem to find it

Yep, I have heard of those diapers, LOL. Never thought to use them, until now. But I don't know if she'd like that. Now that she goes outside for the day, it's a lot less clean up, but it was never too much to handle. When my daughter gets home from school it's her shift to pick up poop! We have rolls of toilet paper all over the house. She's a rather clean hen. I thought she might create alot of dust but nothing. We hatched chicks one winter and wow, the amount of dust was incredible. We put them out as soon we could in early spring.

Really? Others keep them indoors too? I'll have to tell my husband we're not the only ones!

 

[6PeckinChickens]

I am so happy to hear this amazingly heart-warming update! And kudos to you and your family for your love and patience to Olga!

As for the nerves it can take up to 1 year for them to reconnect, if it hasn't come back then it most likely won't. Reading thru your posts and how she walks fine in the house and the tractor, but falls over when she is in the yard. I'm wondering if it has something to do with her equilibrium and/or her inner ear. I don't know much in this area, but she can keep her balance with something above and around her, but if its open she looses it. Just a thought.....

 

[biophiliac]

I am so happy to hear this amazingly heart-warming update! And kudos to you and your family for your love and patience to Olga!

As for the nerves it can take up to 1 year for them to reconnect, if it hasn't come back then it most likely won't. Reading thru your posts and how she walks fine in the house and the tractor, but falls over when she is in the yard. I'm wondering if it has something to do with her equilibrium and/or her inner ear. I don't know much in this area, but she can keep her balance with something above and around her, but if its open she looses it. Just a thought.....

Good point!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I am so happy to hear this amazingly heart-warming update! And kudos to you and your family for your love and patience to Olga!

As for the nerves it can take up to 1 year for them to reconnect, if it hasn't come back then it most likely won't. Reading thru your posts and how she walks fine in the house and the tractor, but falls over when she is in the yard. I'm wondering if it has something to do with her equilibrium and/or her inner ear. I don't know much in this area, but she can keep her balance with something above and around her, but if its open she looses it. Just a thought.....

@Loona along the lines of mother cluckers quote.... does the tractor have a solid top or one that filters the light to some extent?

I'm wondering if the sunlight is too much. I read how even a blind chicken can see the sun. They have a sensory spot in their brain that can sense light through their skull.
Maybe something is a little off from the attack.