- Aug 5, 2012
- 32
- 145
- 124
I let my girls (11 adult & 8 71/2 wk old chicks) out for a couple of hours of chaperoned free ranging yesterday...I ALWAYS chaperone because I've lost 25 chickens in 3 years to predators...bear [-10] coyotes [-9] neighbor dogs [-6]....took a 5 minute bathroom break and when I came out ALL of my girls were freaked out and hiding under a big bush. I did a head count and only 7 chicks 
( After about a 1/2 hour search I found the 8th chick alive but limp laying in the tall grass. Took her inside and checked her over...found 2 bloody puncture marks on her back and some feathers are missing here and there...can't stand up & seems like she might be in shock. I cleaned the wounds, put her in a box in a quiet spot in my house. She drank a little water but wouldn't eat anything. Checked her 1st thing this am and she seems ok but still can't stand up. I've gently felt each leg and don't feel any broken bones. Lately there has been a great horned owl teaching it's baby how to hunt way out in our pasture...so I'm thinking that's what probably got her but due to it's inexperience couldn't hold on to her and probably dropped her. Her legs must have been injured in the fall...since I feel no broken bones, could they just be sprained? What can I do for her that I am not already doing? Very short on $$ right now so can't afford a visit to the overpriced vet....PLEASE HELP. Everything I know about chickens I have learned on this website...I have successfully grafted 20 chicks to 4 different broody hens..cured an eggbound chicken...rid my girls of scaly leg mites and performed bumblefoot surgery thanks to you all...ANY & ALL ADVICE WELCOME...PLEASE HELP
THANKS
( After about a 1/2 hour search I found the 8th chick alive but limp laying in the tall grass. Took her inside and checked her over...found 2 bloody puncture marks on her back and some feathers are missing here and there...can't stand up & seems like she might be in shock. I cleaned the wounds, put her in a box in a quiet spot in my house. She drank a little water but wouldn't eat anything. Checked her 1st thing this am and she seems ok but still can't stand up. I've gently felt each leg and don't feel any broken bones. Lately there has been a great horned owl teaching it's baby how to hunt way out in our pasture...so I'm thinking that's what probably got her but due to it's inexperience couldn't hold on to her and probably dropped her. Her legs must have been injured in the fall...since I feel no broken bones, could they just be sprained? What can I do for her that I am not already doing? Very short on $$ right now so can't afford a visit to the overpriced vet....PLEASE HELP. Everything I know about chickens I have learned on this website...I have successfully grafted 20 chicks to 4 different broody hens..cured an eggbound chicken...rid my girls of scaly leg mites and performed bumblefoot surgery thanks to you all...ANY & ALL ADVICE WELCOME...PLEASE HELPTHANKS
