Help!

[Makjordan]

I have a polish and she is not doing well. she can't stand, eat or drink by herself!! Her eyes are closed but she will drink water for me and sometimes open them. She has no injuries. her wings were hanging low though


Earlier today I came out to my coop and the door was wide open with something lurking in the bushes. One of the chickens flew right at me as if asking for my help. the other girls seemed okay but my polish was lacking in energy.

I dont know if that helps . I really don't want to lose her. she is more than just a chicken to me.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your girl isn't well.

How long have you had her? What is her age? Where did you find her? What does her poo look like? What are you feeding, including treats and supplements? How many birds in how much space? What kind of weather lately? Do you know your local predators?

 

[Makjordan]

I have had her for 3 moths shy of a year. thats how old she is as well. I bought her from north 40. I have not seen a poo yet to examine. I usually feed her a basic layer mix and meal worms along with fresh sprouts/grass. I have 4 birds in a 6x6 and will let them out when im available to watch. in this case though they were not let out by me. It has been cold out. I live in the PNW so it gets to a low of 18 high of 40 I have the lamp on for the girls though. local predators are coons,dogs and cats. or so I thought, the thing I saw running had a really long bushy whiteish tail and was a bit bigger than a cat. @EggSighted4Life

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sounds like you caught something in the act.

fox maybe

 

[Makjordan]

@EggSighted4Life
I dont know though. how could they get my coop door open?
I mean it was wide open.

Update on my Polish:
She will now open her eyes a little more wile tube feeding.
I have hope

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What I meant to say is sounds like she's in shock. I would give her a chance to come out of it.

I wouldn't personally feed by tube if it's her first day not eating. She won't die of malnutrition. But maybe you are more comfortable doing it than I am. Hydration is key above all else. But since this just happened today, she will likely recover without tube feeding. Shock really happens, I've seen it after attacks. If she still isn't standing, eating or drinking... I would inspect very closely for puncture wounds, near the back of the neck. They can hide pretty easily. But also pay attention to notice any swelling that might be where a bite is hidden. It's possible she wasn't got and is just that scared. Poor girl!

The door open is what has me wondering top. But sometimes they didn't close all the way and the wind or whatever helped it open? Maybe another person in your family went to see them and accidentally left it open?

I'm in the PNW too, but on the coast where it stays very mild. 18 is NOT low enough for your girls to require heat, unless they are ill. They are wearing down jackets and heat will just make them feel colder when they are away from it and give them a harder time adjusting on a daily basis but also especially if your power goes out. Most important thing in cold weather is ventilation. Moisture build up inside the coop is what will cause frost bite, not the actual cold. Moisture is exhaled every time they breath so don't forget that as a main source.

I totally think she's just in shock and patience is good. I like to give probiotics (raw, unfiltered acv in the water), electrolytes, or vitamins if someone had a major stress just to help their own system not let anything else get them down. So basically a little extra support. But not tube feeding unless it has been several days without food and more than a day or two without me SEEING them drink (doesn't mean they didn't). I had a duck get scalped by a raccoon and survive with just that, as I didn't want to cause her more harm. She did recover beautifully but the shock was apparent for the first few days. Her eating and drinking were severely diminished but I saw her making an effort.

Eyes opening is a good sign! I hope and believe you will continue to see improvement.

 

[micstrachan]

I was thinking fox,too. But only a raccoon could open thedoor like that, unless it was accidentally left open.
Can you look her over carefully for injury? It would be good to bring her in and provide a quiet warm place for her.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was thinking fox,too. But only a raccoon could open thedoor like that, unless it was accidentally left open.
Can you look her over carefully for injury? It would be good to bring her in and provide a quiet warm place for her.

Yes, it is said that a raccoon can do anything a 3 year old can and was my other thought as well. Opening doors seems a little far fetched though.

So accidentally getting open somehow and a crime of opportunity (missed thankfully), seems like the most logical answer.