Hen was trampled by baboon!

[tray777tulip]

So about 4 days ago i found my hen, Gwen, hiding on the side of the nesting boxes with a swollen and bruised head...one eye slightly swollen and unfocused. I suspect a baboon might have squashed her head while trying to get to her eggs (it didn't get the eggs which have now hatched...i'm the mamma). Anyway, i've put her in a warm and safe place to recover and every day she looks a little better. I have to bring water to her beak for her to drink. She's not eating at all. She gives small rapid shakes of her head and rears herself backward most of the time. I'm concerned about brain damage and the fact that she isn't eating. She's about a year old and her breed is a Boschvelder.
Any thoughts?
T.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you mean that she was attacked by a raccoon? She may have suffered a head injury and just need supportive care. Sorry that she was injured so badly. I would try to feed her some very watery chicken feed 3 times a day. I also use cooked chopped egg and will put water in a small bowl with that to get fluids into a sick chicken. Her head shaking and loss of balance may be expected with a head injury. Does she seem to be blind in the eye that is swollen? I think you are doing as best you can unless you want to learn to tube feed her. If you could post any pictures of her, and her swollen eye, that would be helpful.

 

[staceyj]

If four days has passed, @Eggcessive, would aspirin be of any benefit for its anti-inflammatory action?
Also whoa nelly!
Waiting to hear if that’s an auto correct as well ...

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Boschvelder according to a quick search is a South African breed... so I think baboon, not raccoon

 

[staceyj]

Boschvelder according to a quick search is a South African breed... so I think baboon, nor raccoon

This one should go in the oddities column for sure

 

[Eggcessive]

LOL. I first meant to ask if the OP was in Africa, but I thought—they meant raccoon, not baboon. And I thought they meant barnvelder, not boschvelder. So, I apologize if I misunderstood. It is helpful when everyone puts their location in their profile, so that we can be more helpful. Aspirin can be used for pain and as an anti-inflammatory if there is no risk of bleeding. Dosage is 81 mg twice a day, or in the water at 325 mg for each 240 ml.

 

[ejtrout31]

Update

 

[Cyprus]

Boschvelder according to a quick search is a South African breed... so I think baboon, not raccoon

Same. I googled it. That, and I know enough of the language to know 'Boschvelder' means 'Bush Chicken'

 

[Cyprus]

FYI, Baboons are like Raccoons on steroids.
Bigger, meaner, and uglier.

 

[tray777tulip]

FYI, Baboons are like Raccoons on steroids.
Bigger, meaner, and uglier.

Lol...yip...i meant Baboon...and yes, they're bigger, meaner and uglier! Boschvelder means bush fielder and they definitely got the name right...these chickens navigate the dense bush area extremely well and are as tough as nails.
Thanks so much everyone for the replies. I will start giving her some watered down food and maybe try some asprin. Will keep you posted. Hoping my Gwen makes a full recovery.
T.