Fox Attack

[StarLightFarms]

Just had a pretty bad fox attack, still missing two hens and one of my roosters was found in the woods injured. It's his neck, there is a some blood and bruising but no wound that I could find. My initial thought was to put him down but as I carried him around in my arms I wasn't sure what to do. I haven't dealt with an attack before where there were survivors. His head just hangs, it's mostly at the base of his neck next to his left wing. I thought he may just pass away while we were searching for the hens but he is still hanging on. He's only about 8 months old and such a good rooster. He tries to stand but just flops around and his neck curls in and he lays back down. Legs and wings are fine from what I can see. I just hate to loose him if there is any chance but I fear there's not much I can do.

 

[OwO]

Sorry about the attack It's important to try and find the wound (if there is a visible one underneath any feathers) and then post pics of it so people on here can give you advice. It will probably need to be cleaned and watched for a while. Hopefully it's not too major that something can't be done.

 

[dawg53]

The only thing you can do right now is provide your rooster comfort care. Flush wounds with Betadine and apply Neosporin ointment.

It would be best to put him in a crate and keep him warm. You'll want to keep him hydrated with water, use an eyedropper or syringe without a needle and give it to him a little at a time because he might have difficulty swallowing due to the injuries.
You can also give him Poultry Nutri drench orally, 2 drops four times a day for no more than 5 days. Then mix water in his feed in a bowl and stir it up to make a gruel so he can eat. Hopefully he will recover.

 

[StarLightFarms]

The only thing you can do right now is provide your rooster comfort care. Flush wounds with Betadine and apply Neosporin ointment.

It would be best to put him in a crate and keep him warm. You'll want to keep him hydrated with water, use an eyedropper or syringe without a needle and give it to him a little at a time because he might have difficulty swallowing due to the injuries.
You can also give him Poultry Nutri drench orally, 2 drops four times a day for no more than 5 days. Then mix water in his feed in a bowl and stir it up to make a gruel so he can eat. Hopefully he will recover.

Unfortunately we had to put him down, he was barely moving without thrashing and couldn't hold his head up, his neck was limp and I just didn't want him to suffer any longer.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Unfortunately we had to put him down, he was barely moving without thrashing and couldn't hold his head up, his neck was limp and I just didn't want him to suffer any longer.

I'm so sorry...
Sounds like you did the absolute right thing.

Did your other hens turn up yet?

 

[jus10inla]

time to give your fox a bite back. this is #12 for me this year

 

[dawg53]

Unfortunately we had to put him down, he was barely moving without thrashing and couldn't hold his head up, his neck was limp and I just didn't want him to suffer any longer.

I'm sorry for your loss, but you did the right thing.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am sorry about the tragic loss of your rooster. Doing what is right and merciful can still be heartbreaking. I hope your hens come back.

 

[theoldchick]

Sorry for your loss. One thing I learned about foxes is that there is never just one.

 

[jus10inla]

Sorry for your loss. One thing I learned about foxes is that there is never just one.

So true. I killed 4 in 2 weeks time, now its about every month or two im killing them now. Have had foxes around herre last 30 years, chickens the last 15. They never bothered them til last year. Now there always around.