Injured chick tossing head and “biting” the air

[SEMOJO]

We have a 9 week old Wyandotte who had a “too close” encounter with our dog almost three weeks ago. Before the attack, she was perfectly healthy and competing for the top spot in the pecking order. The result of the attack was she lost all the skin around her neck and what looks like lost feathers or minor injuries under her right wing. We immediately separated her and she has been in a plastic bin with shavings, food and water ever since. While the wounds seem to be healing great, her demeanor has not. She has stayed low energy. She “bites” frequently like something is in her mouth and will shake her head often. Sometimes this results in a flem like substance slinging out. She also insists upon staying under the 40watt bulb we had for our you get chicks. (They no longer use it). She doesn’t drink much and eating is limited on her terms. We can get her to eat yogurt and sometimes scrambled eggs. Don’t know if there is internal damage or not. She hasn’t gone down hill but has seemed to lose weight. Tail is tucked but couriosity seems to still be there. She does smart her on occasion. I will try to post a video.

 

[SEMOJO]

Can’t get video to download. Also poops, when they happen, seem normal

 

[azygous]

It sounds like this poor little one has brain stem injury. This long after the encounter with the dog, for it to be so pronounced is not encouraging. Also, from what you say, the chick is declining, not improving. That is also not encouraging.

I hate to say it, but I doubt your chick is going to survive. This long a period with no improvement would indicate you might want to consider euthanasia. With chicks, once they start declining, it's not usual they are able to recover, especially with crushing injuries as is what the nature of its injuries are.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can’t get video to download. Also poops, when they happen, seem normal

I'm sorry to hear about your chick. If you would like to share a video of her - upload it to youtube or vimeo then provide us a link. The BYC video download does not work

We are glad you joined us, even under such sad circumstances. I do agree with @azygous that it sounds like she has some nerve damage.
The biting and slinging of flem does not sound very good - I would also check her crop to see if it's emptying properly.

Hopefully the video will shed some light for us and we can give you some better suggestions for her care.

 

[SEMOJO]

Happy to report nearly a year later that she is perfectly healthy and fine!!! With the exception of no feathers on the back of her neck, all other functions are normal. We gave her a fighting chance and she fought through. She is even in the middle of the pecking order. It is amazing how resilient nature can be sometimes.

 

[Farmwarrior]

Happy to report nearly a year later that she is perfectly healthy and fine!!! With the exception of no feathers on the back of her neck, all other functions are normal. We gave her a fighting chance and she fought through. She is even in the middle of the pecking order. It is amazing how resilient nature can be sometimes.

Great news!

 

[azygous]

Bravo! I'd say this qualifies as a miracle comeback.