Lisa3315
Songster
I was just given a pullet by a neighbor a few minutes ago, the pullet was attacked by a bobcat last night and they are leaving today to go out of town. They asked me to take it, of course I can't say no. I haven't dealt with an animal attack/injury before, and I'm not sure if I'm serving as hospice for this chicken, or if we still have a chance for recovery. She seems like she's in pretty bad shape, but maybe she just needs a rest.
Here is the info I have on it:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
It looks like a leghorn. Pretty young but laying, maybe six or seven months old? I think they just got it as a chick this last winter/spring. Seems like it was a healthy bird before the attack.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Seems very dazed, lethargic. She's moving around a little bit, looking around.Right now she kind of looks like she's sleeping standing up. The neighbor did let me know that she laid an egg between the attack and when they dropped her off, so that seems like a good sign maybe?
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Was just attacked yesterday afternoon.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No. She was the last of her flock, the rest had already been nabbed by the bobcat.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
I've only done a visual examination, I'm afraid to handle her too much and traumatize her more. One of her eyes is swollen, she has some dried blood at the corner of her beak, and she seems kind of puffed up in the front near her crop. She's standing,but not walking around starting to walk around a bit. Seems like she might have a ruptured air sack?
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Bobcat grabbed her, had her in it's mouth, neighbor came out shouting and scared the bobcat so it dropped the chicken.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Unknown if she has been eating or drinking, I only just got her.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Update: poop is kind of runny, but there is a normal amount.Unknown, haven't seen any poop yet.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing so far. I have her in a large dog kennel in the laundry room, it has some food and water, a bunch of towels, and I've covered about half of it with towels so it's kind of dark and calming.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I'm not going to be taking her to a vet, so it will have to be whatever I can do at home. I'm close to a few local feed stores and a Tractor Supply, so I can get supplies there if I need anything.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I've added a photo below, it's not great.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Large dog kennel with towels, indoors with air conditioning.
So, I guess I'm looking for - what are the next steps I should take? If there's still a chance to save her, what should I do? If she's too far gone, how can I make her more comfortable?
Here is the info I have on it:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
It looks like a leghorn. Pretty young but laying, maybe six or seven months old? I think they just got it as a chick this last winter/spring. Seems like it was a healthy bird before the attack.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Seems very dazed, lethargic. She's moving around a little bit, looking around.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
Was just attacked yesterday afternoon.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No. She was the last of her flock, the rest had already been nabbed by the bobcat.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
I've only done a visual examination, I'm afraid to handle her too much and traumatize her more. One of her eyes is swollen, she has some dried blood at the corner of her beak, and she seems kind of puffed up in the front near her crop. She's standing,
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Bobcat grabbed her, had her in it's mouth, neighbor came out shouting and scared the bobcat so it dropped the chicken.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Unknown if she has been eating or drinking, I only just got her.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Update: poop is kind of runny, but there is a normal amount.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing so far. I have her in a large dog kennel in the laundry room, it has some food and water, a bunch of towels, and I've covered about half of it with towels so it's kind of dark and calming.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I'm not going to be taking her to a vet, so it will have to be whatever I can do at home. I'm close to a few local feed stores and a Tractor Supply, so I can get supplies there if I need anything.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I've added a photo below, it's not great.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Large dog kennel with towels, indoors with air conditioning.
So, I guess I'm looking for - what are the next steps I should take? If there's still a chance to save her, what should I do? If she's too far gone, how can I make her more comfortable?
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