Hello All... My chickens had a visit from a predator I am guessing a weasel. One dead in the coop and one wounded. The wounded one it having a hard time breathing as if something is blocking her breathing. She is wheezing although as the day goes on she sounds like there is improvement. I have separated her from the rest and put her in a cage with straw, water and food in the garage I am concerned about nourishment as she is not eating and probably cannot eat. She did still lay an egg, though. About the nourishment - is there anything I can do like feed her anything with an eye dropper just to make sure she has something in her belly and hydration? Please advise. Thank you!
When one of my chickens was injured by a predator I feed her sour cream with garlic mixed in, she licked it right out of the spoon. You can also put a little bit of fresh garlic in her water, or some electrolytes. The garlic is an immune system booster. Also, try to see if she will eat her favorite treat. Most chickens LOVE mealworms, so you may want to give that a try. Make sure she has food and water available to her at all times incase she decides to eat. I am sorry about your girl, I hope she is okay. It is a good sign that she layed an egg, although my girl layed an egg right after she was injured by a raccoon but hasn't layed an egg since, and that was 3 months ago. I wish you luck!
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. Bloveschickens has given you some excellent advice. Garlic has many health benefits. It boosts the chicken's respiratory and immune systems.You may have heard that garlic effects the taste of eggs but I and other garlic users have never found this to be true. You can use garlic by floating the cloves in the chicken waterer. You can add a powder to their feed (2-3 % ratio) or just throw out plain garlic to them free choice. Apple cider vinegar is also a good thing to put in the water. It is a good source of potassium and is quickly absorbed. Potassium is important to build strength and fight bacteria by flushing out toxins. It boosts a chicken's respiratory, immune and digestive systems and helps with calcium absorption. Also, it helps fight and prevent cancer, infections, diseases and illnesses. ACV is high in vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics and minerals. It also is thought to be a mild antibiotic. It's most commonly used in the water. (1 tablespoon per gallon.) This vinegar will fight off bacteria growth in the waterer itself. Note: Never use ACV in metal water containers as it will break it down and leach harmful chemicals into the chickens' drinking water. Electrolytes are good at keeping your flock hydrated. And probiotics are also good to use. Stat clear of antibiotics as these should only be used if the chicken is sick. Also, DO NOT use any of these together in the waterer at once. Good luck!
Welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you. I'm sorry to hear about your chicken! The above posters have given some good advice. For more answers, you may want to post in the Emergencies section: Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures Good luck!
Hello there and welcome to BYC! So sorry for your loss and the one that is not doing well. Give this one an over all exam and take care of all wounds. Use a saline solution and some neosporin (without the pain killer) on her wounds. Keep her warm tonight too. This can be the difference in her surviving and not surviving. Injured birds go into shock easily and the shock can kill them faster than the wounds. Watch for infection and you may need to start her on some penicillin or baytril if the infection spreads. Don't rush her to heal. The above posters have given you some great advice to help her heal faster. Keep an eye on her and if she starts to have any other issues, you might post in our emergency section to get more help.... https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures Good luck and I hope you can get her back on her feet soon!