HELP! I caught a wild chicken???

[lilqhgal]

Hi folks, I'm new here, and let me first state that I am not a chicken/bird person. I just came here hoping to get some ideas/help.

As I was waiting for the bus with my son this morning, I heard an awful noise in our field... At first I thought something had my cat, whom I had just let out about 5 minutes earlier. When I went out into the weeds, which are waist high, I finally saw the cat on top of what looked like a white bird, which then flew up towards me about 3 feet but then fell back down and ran through the weeds. Then my dogs went after it. There where feathers everywhere, but I got the dogs off of it and put them inside. I don't think the dogs hurt it, but it does have some tail feathers missing. So I thought it was a wild baby turkey or something, and figured it would run off if given the chance, so I put dogs and cat inside and went about my daily morning business. Well they were driving me crazy, so after about 2 hours, I let them all back out, and within 5 minutes again, they had it. So I took a sheet out there, hoping to catch it, and luckily I did. Once I put the sheet over it, it settled down, and now I have it in my little dog's kennel cage w/ the sheet over it. I gave it some birdseed (I have seed for wild birds) but now I'm not sure what else to do with it! We live way out in the middle of nowhere, and I'm not sure if any of our neighbors have chickens or not, but I sent the photos to my mom who works at a college in the biology department and the scientists there confirmed that it is a Chicken, not a turkey. Can anybody identify the breed? And does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do with it?

Thanks!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilqhgal/sets/72157602082402397/

 

[kcfuerst]

I wouldn't be sure what kind of chicken, perhaps an old english mix.

You might put a container of clean water in the cage for him/her. It should have no problem eating leftover scraps from dinner, or breakfast, too.

Good luck. Won't be long, you might get addicted! Hopefully others will chime in and help you out more.

 

[lilqhgal]

Thanks Katie.

I tried giving her some water, boy birds are messy LOL! She freaked out, poor thing, spilled it all over the place, now there's wet birdseed everywhere. Maybe I need a bigger, heaver bowl.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

You are the proud owner of a nice laying Hen. At least until you find her a good home,
which should not be to hard. Go to your local Feed Store and put up a Flyer.
A farmer will take her. MAY I SUGGEST that if you put up flyers around town you ask for a few dollars for her, that way she won't be someone's free dinner.
If they have to pay and clean her they will just buy a chicken at the G. Store.
ANYWAY back to some advice The bird seed is not real good she can not open the sun flower seeds.
She would eat the cracked corn and smaller seeds,
You can also give her a bit of dried oatmeal flakes or bread. And of course Water.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Yes a bigger heaver bowl and put the food in a bowl.
WHAT CITY/STATE ARE YOU IN? MAYBE SOME ONE ON HERE IS CLOSE TO YOU.

 

[wegotchickens]

What area do you live in? Maybe a nice BYC person will want your pretty bird...

 

[birdlover]

Oh my! Bless your heart for helping the poor little thing! Judging from the comb and wattles (or lack there of), I'd say it's just a baby around 3 months old. She definitely needs a bowl of water at all times and chickens will eat just about anything including bird seed. But, if you want to help her, give her some chopped up hard boiled egg, tomato, fruit, corn and whole wheat bread. It looks like she has a wound on her tail. I know you're not a bird person but, if you feel so inclined, you can wash it with warm water and anti-bacterial soap and then apply some neosporin or other anti-bacterial cream. Please don't release her outside in the field as that would be a sure death sentence! Try to find someone who has chickens and is willing to adopt her or take her to the animal shelter. OR...you may find her "growing on you" and you may want to become part of the wonderful world of chickens! They really do make such great pets!!! Good luck and PLEASE let us know how she fares, please??? God bless you!

Ellen

 

[lilqhgal]

Sorry about that all, I'm in Jamestown, Ohio (near Xenia) (45335 for mapquest). I always wanted to have a few egg laying chickens. Much better than the mass produced eggs we get from the supermarket.

Except I would have NO idea what to do, do I need a rooster to get her to lay? I should build her a little coop right, with a little pen for exercise? Boy I need to start reading up on this stuff.

 

[bayouchica]

Hi, looks like some type of bantam maybe. That's wonderful you took him/her in.
Do you have some eggs you could scramble or cook some old fashined oatmeal ?
Where are you located? There might be some BYC member in your area that might could take it in.
Great save, that poor chic won't made it without your help.

 

[wegotchickens]

You can find answers to all those questions here!
You don't need a rooster for her to lay, but she'd aooreciate a couple of chicken friends (flock animals).

Good luck!