I'm new - hi

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got chickens

got chickens

Hatching
8 Years
Dec 15, 2011
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I have chickens. I live in California in residential area. I wanted to join the forum because I need help.

Last night a raccoon got one of my chickens. The chickens were locked up. My cage looks like a cage - metal and bar like. Anyway, the raccoon managed to pull my chicken's wing out of the small opening in the bars and ATE THE WING COMPLETELY OFF. All that is left is the bone just hanging there. Amazingly, the chicken seems ok (other than that). Came out of the cage walking and ate right away and drank. Laid an egg as well.

I'm wondering what to do now. Can we cut off the bone that is hanging there? Is it a matter of just cutting it? Will there be pain still? I assume the chicken can still live with one wing assuming it doesn't get infected.
 
First of all Welcome to BYC.

As for your hen I can't say what to do, sorry. Except keep it clean and try to prevent infection until it heals over.

As for the coon, I'm sure you'll dispatch of him real soon, so he doesn't get anymore of your birds. I lock my birds up in the coop at night. You also might want to cover things with hardware cloth.

Hope things improve for you girl,

Rancher
 
Yeah I think you can take the wing off but I don't know how and it needs to be kept clean. What type of wire did you use for the cage? You said bars but you need to put hardware cloth around it as well so that nothing can reach in. at least 1/2" x 1/2" Not chicken wire because they can reach thru that as well. You may need to repost this under emergencies section so you get more answers

*edited for spelling
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Yes, welcome. Sorry it's under such stressful circumstances, but I'm glad you joined us.

Raccoons will reach through small spaces and grab and eat whatever they can pull through. Like rancher says, if you do not have a secure coop to lock them into every evening, covering all those open spaces with hardware cloth is an extremely good (necessary) idea. The raccoon will likely be back soon.

Infection is an issue with any open wound. Also, the possibility of your other birds pecking at the bone and any exposed tissue. Maggots from flies could be an issue. I don't know how to treat this. If it were me, I'd probably be asking the advise of the nearest avian vet.

Hopefully, you'll get a response from someone on here who has dealt with this.

Good luck.

Edited to second what S.L.Swope said about posting this in the emergencies section.
 
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I am so sorry to hear about your poor girl... Like the posts above, I heartily reccommend posting this under the emergencies thread. We are glad you came to BYC for help, only wish you were able to join us under less trying circumstances.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to both of you!!
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from Washington State glad you joined us!
Sorry about your hen, chickens feel pain just like any other animal. Make sure you isolate her, put her on antibiotics and keep the would clean. Chickens do fine with one wing. Good luck with her and I'm glad you are asking for help. A lot of very helpful people of byc!
 
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I'm glad your here!

As for your hen......I wouldn't cut off the bone, but that might just be me. Keep the wounded area clean with neosporin or any other antibiotic. AND seperate her so that your other chickens don't peck at her.
-Now for the coon you might want to consider killing it before it gets another one of your hens, also cover your coop with something it can't reach through. ALso PLEASE repost this in the emergencies thread and give it a name such as: "please help. Chickens arm eaten off by a racoon."
Good Luck!!
-Roxy
 

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