how best to kennel injured pullet?

[frankenchick]

Our chickens were attacked by the neighbors’ dog yesterday. AFAIK, most of the injuries are minor. We did have to euthanize one of the BO pullets (#2 since Sept.). Another pullet, a BR, lost feathers and some skin from her tail and a 2” X 2” patch of skin from her right flank.

I’ve kept the BR in a large box in the tub since it happened (I found her huddled in the snow when I went to close the coop), and she seems to be doing well. She is eating, drinking, pooping, and even laying (although I tried to discourage that by keeping the light low). We have to go to IL Thurs-Sun. and my Q is this: would she be better off in a dog kennel within the unheated coop -- but with the others for company -- or in a dog kennel in the house -- but all alone? I don’t have anyone to look after the chickens for me, so I’d made provision for them, but the aftermath of the attack has got me really concerned.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Do you have another hen that perhaps you could put inside with her? In the dog kennel?

This is a tough call. You see her and know how she is acting. You will most likley need to do what you feel is best.

 

[farmsister]

I had an injured chicken and she was in a dog kennel in a quiet place in this storage room we have. She was doing ok, quiet... not much activity until she saw us... she was lonely. Then unfortuantely... another hen had a prolapse and we thought she might die. We had her in yet a seperate kennel on top of the other kennel and they can hear each other. Now both are doing phenomenally well! When our cold snap warms up I'm going to reintroduce them to the flock. Maybe if you have two together it would be less lonely for her but then again.... if she is wounded (the one inside) you may want to at least put blu coate on her so it isn't inticing to the other to peck on her weakness since you wont' be there to check on her. She won't die of loneliness and may be safer alone until you return. Just some thoughts.

 

[frankenchick]

I ended up putting her in the kennel inside the coop (near the heat lamp). She had her own food and water, and a lot of company.

When I went out to collect eggs Sun night, I saw that she'd laid two eggs while we were gone. Her wounds look awful, but I guess she's doing okay.

Thanks for the input!

 

[scogind]

Several years ago my grand-daughter let their dog into my chicken pen "cause he wanted to play with the chickens." He got one hen and at first I thought that was all, but I noticed a lot of rooster tail feathers. The dog must have grabbed the roo by the butt and could not hold on. The roo was cut pretty bad and had "0" tail feathers and most of them on his lower back. I remember it being pretty cold at that time. That ol roo would use his wing tips to cover his bare butt and keep it warm at night on the roost. He healed completely and all his feathers grew back in within a couple of months. I only gave him antibotics mixed in the waterer for the first 5 days.