Help, chicken attacked by dog.

[mar]

Thanks. I got some more miconazole. I think that's a good idea. She was honking at me again this morning. I decided to brave the early morning temps with her today just because she was so happy to be outside yesterday. She still has the heat lamp if she needs it. Its in the mid 50's today. I felt bad for her yesterday because when I went to bring her in and she wanted to be out with the other hens. She was pacing in front of the covered run trying to get through the wire. I'm hoping that they will get used to her again. But her head still hasn't completely healed yet. Still scabbed over. I don't want her with them until she has more feathers.

 

[getaclue]

Pics please.

 

[mar]

Sorry, here is her updated pic. When i brought her in last night her crop was pretty full. I was a little worried. But this am it was almost empty just a little bit in the bottom. I massaged it a little and it went down. The picture is before i put neosporin on.

 

[getaclue]

She's looking very good. I'd use Blu-kote or some vegetable dye to cover the red, and scabbed areas. She looks good enough to start trying to reintroduce her to the flock, with the red covered. The method I prefer, is to put a cage, or isolated area next to the flock, so they can see each other for a couple days. Then after a couple days, let her in with them. Stay there, so you can break up any serious fighting, or picking. You have to let them squabble for a minute, but break it up after that. Make sure no blood is drawn. If it doesn't work the first time out, don't give up. Try it again the next day. IF there is one that shows itself to be more of a bully, but the rest are fine with her, cage the bully for a couple days, then let the bully out. That usually solves the problem.

 

[mar]

Great. She has been spending her time out in the separated coop in the same run as the others. They can see each other but often the other hens are further away from her. I started on Tues. but she isn't sleeping out there yet because it still drops to 30 at night. I'm thinking about letting them all out to free range in my yard tomorrow, supervised. That way there are plenty of places to run and hide. How long does the blu-kote last? Do I have to spray it every couple hours or once a day? Thanks again.

 

[mar]

One more thing. Should I spray her crop too? She has lost all of the feathers on it and it is exposed as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's looking good!

I would apply the BluKote to any exposed areas, so if the crop is a bit bare, put it on.
As for how often to apply, I just re-apply when it look faded or you can see redness coming through-use your best judgement.

 

[getaclue]

Wyorp is right. You will be able to see the color difference. You will know when and where to apply by the color. Sounds like you, and your hen are doing great. It won't be long and things will be all back to normal.

 

[mar]

So my first try letting her out with the flock was a bust. They all were going after her. They went right for her head. I think its natural for them to peck on the head. So I think I'm going to leave her in her coop for another week or two. I'm still bringing her in at night because its so cool. But I'm hoping that next week it will be warm enough for her stay out at night by herself. She's eating and drinking but still seems to be struggling a little with swallowing a lot. But the gurgling is definitely gone. She's not laying right now but I'm not super concerned about it because shes had a lot going on.

 

[getaclue]

That's not unusual with the first introduction. Are they where they can all see each other, without the flock being able to get to the one you're introducing? That's important.