Someone mentioned that I need to keep the wounds moist. I'm still rinsing them with the sailine and using the betadine. When should I stop wetting the wounds down? I don't want to screw up now since they have made it through the most critical 48 hours of their lives. Also, can anyone tell me, exactly how will these wounds heal? As far as regrowing feathers etc. Besides the puncture wounds the skin was just ripped off their back sides. I've never had to deal with anything this severe with my chickens. Any advice is welcomed.
Okay, update...they are all doing fine. Still eating and drinking and up and moving around. They are still staying in the hen house. More for the reason they don't want to deal with the men in the flock. They are relentless on wanting to hop on them. I'm more concerned with the brahma. I'm afraid the vent is injured. Will this be the cause of eventual egg bound.? Can she survive if this is the case?
I will be the first to admit I know nothing about chickens but I have extensive experience in wound care. Saline is great for a rinse but betadine can be very drying. Rule of thumb in humans....it the wound is wet, dry it up some. If it is dry, it need to be moistened. Moist is the operative word here. Not wet, not dry. We do not use betadine to any great extense. Unless you have infected wounds with puralent pus, just try an antibacterial ointment like neosporin. Sometimes too much fussing with wounds causes more harm than good.
Update: Last night the brahma hen (who is the most hurt) tried to get up on the roost with the others. After 2 failed attempts I asked her if she wanted help. She walked right up to me, so I put her on her favorite rung. Then Baby Blue tried to get up there too, I did the same for her. This morning I had to help them down, they knew better than to try it on their own. All 4 have made it this far, hope they will continue to improve.
My sis called this morning and asked when I turn them out. She wants to turn Dingo loose again! It's obvious that she has no intention of putting the dog down. I told her my babes freerange all day. If I catch that dog at my place again I will take matters into my own hands, literally!
Your sister needs a wakeup call!!
Is she that stupid? or just that selfish?
She doesn't have to put Dingo down, but why can't she put him on a run or something? un
I'm so glad that your Brahma and Blue tried to get up on the roosts.
The dog is the type that constantly chases cars...but never gets hit.
She has him tied up, but of course she hates to see him that way. I mean, I don't like to see any animal penned or tied. But if they are a nuisance animal they need to be. He is of no use to her. They are never home to pay attention to their pets. Why on earth have pets if you aren't gonna take time to play with them. She did make the offer to compensate me. I told her that the offer itself meant alot to me. But if she would just eliminate the problem I would feel compensated.
I have a feeling this story is not going to end well. It is time for the parties envolved to build some real good fences. Dogs in their yard; chickens in their's. I have seen families torn apart over stupid issues like this. Yep, good fences are the answer.
I am so sorry. Your sister has no concern for her dog or else she would take better care of it. Why on earth is it that friends or strangers will treat you better than your flesh and blood? so sad, and I agree this will not have a good ending. I am so glad your hens are healing.
She lives 3/4 a mile away. The dog is making a special trip to have chicken dinner. We live in a very rural area, most people let their dogs run free. She would never consider a fence. But we are, if we win the lottery! It would take $$$$ to fence our whole mini farm. And it would have to be dog proof at that.
Since this is the second time he's done it, with evidence in his mouth, she still is in disbelief. She says where's the blood? He doesn't have any on him. She just doesn't understand the dog can kill without spilling blood. And there he stands big as billy-be-frig with a chicken in his mouth!! What does it take? A bolt of lightening up her butt to make her see what this dog has done?
Electric fences are 100 to 200 dollars..just a suggestion. I don't know a lot about them but they are cheaper than getting a real fence and I hear they work for most dogs. Maybe she will consider it.