Our rooster got attacked the night before last. By a opossum we believe. I was running late for work in the morning so they didn’t get checked until 1:30pm. They always still have food and water so I wasn’t worried. When I found him he already had maggots in the wound, we cleaned him up as best as possible, with, saline solution and Benidine and got the worst of the maggots off. Then put a layer of neosporin with no pain relief. We got the screw worn spray to put on, as long as we cover his eyes, will that be okay? We have him electrolytes in water and have him some with a dropper. His eyes are still there. He can open and close them. But he’s barely moving, and sometimes his breathing sounds, almost wet. Could it be internal injuries? I’m not sure what else we can do. I’m so angry at myself for not going out early like usual, would he have been better off if I’d found him earlier? He was already by himself because he’d been very aggressive with the other roosters, and I feel like since it was temporary housing, that’s how it got in. He’s the sweetest boy and loves being held and following us around in the yard.
Here’s some pictures. They’re very gruesome.
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Should we just put him out of his misery? If so what’s the best way? I’ve cried so much over my poor Lizard. Thank you for any help.
I'm sorry about your rooster
Flush generously again (and again) to try to get rid of all the maggots, more can hatch out over the course of several days sometimes. If they are in hard to reach places, pick them out with tweezers. Saline is good to use for flushing especially if near the eyes. Betadine and Hibiclens (Chlorhexidine) are both good for cleaning wounds too. Try to remove all that "gunky" debris as well - gauze or a wash cloth would help with that.
If you need to, trim the feathers away from the wounds, this makes it easier to see the wounds and they will stay cleaner too.
Triple antibiotic ointment or vetericyn applied after flushing.
How deep is the wound on top of the head, it's hard to tell - can you see his skull or it that punctured?
Also the ear, you will want to look in that and get the maggots out the best you can.
Keep him warm and try to get him hydrated. Electrolytes or vitamin water is fine - if you don't have that sips of warmed sugar water. You may need to syringe or tube fluids into him. Once he's hydrated and a little more alert, then see if he will eat a little. You can also tube food if you need to, but hydration is very important - kaytee baby bird formula can be used to tube or you can make a thin slurry out of his feed, etc.)
Do you have any antibiotics? Are you in the US? Depending on where you live, you may be able to find Fish Mox (Amoxicillin) at
Tractor Supply (see photo below). If you aren't putting him down, I would start antibiotics asap. Amoxicillin dosage is 57mg per pound of weight given orally 2 times a day. If your feed store doesn't have that then look for Procaine Penicillin G, you can use that - get some 20 gauge needles along with syringes - dosage is 1/4ml injected into the breast muscle 1/4" deep once a day for 4-5 days (alternate sides each day).
It's very hard to know if he will survive. Some chickens are able to recover from horrible injury, while others aren't - each situation is different. If you feel he is suffering and needs to be put out of his misery, then that's what you should do. No one can tell you one way or the other, but your decision (to continue to treat or let him go) will be supported. I understand it's so heartbreaking to have to make this decision.
OK, now we'll talk about putting a bird down - I will try not to be too graphic, but these things sometimes come about, so if you know or are prepared, then it may not be so startling to you.
I have not tried a lot of different methods for putting a sick/injured bird down, so can only tell you what method I use. I use the "broomstick method" There are several videos on youtube, the best one I have seen is in
post#6 of this thread (you may need to login to youtube or google to view it). This method (for me) is easiest, quick and efficient. For a rooster, if he's an adult, then you will want to pull hard, I know that sounds sort of terrible, but they are usually bigger and stronger. You will be able to feel the dislocation when you pull. Whatever you "think" you may need to pull, pull more. Please know, pulling sometimes you might actually pull the head off (some videos do show that). I've done it and it's not too bad, there is a little blood, but if you stay focused and remember why you are doing this (putting him out of his misery), you will be fine. If you think about this too if it happens - you will know for sure you did the job, no guessing if the head is separated. Anytime you put a bird down, there will be some flapping of wings, some jerking - this is normal nerve reaction.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, please keep us posted.
