Injured Chicken From Raccoon Attack

[Uptownj]

Australorp,

age 5

hen

manure looks normal

eating /drinking? No

one of our hens was attacked by a raccoon last night and the skin has been removed on her neck. you can see the underlying structure, tendons etc. we treated with betadine and she is in a warm secure place away from the other chickens. I tried to get her to eat or drink this morning but she didn't want it. I have had chickens survive some pretty bad injuries in the past but just asking is there a chance she might survive this one? Any suggestions besides take her to the vet? Or should we euthanize her? Thank you, I am new to this group and it is not the way I wanted to introduce myself.

Sharon

 

[crobi13]

sorry this had to be your first post

I don't have any expierence with this type of injury, I just wanted to say good luck to you & your girl

 

[robin416]

The one thing I noticed was missing is any mention of antibiotic ointment. She should be slathered with that to keep the wound supple.

Offer her electrolytes. You can use the poultry type and flavor it with unsweetened Kool Aid or pedialyte unflavored. Give her a little time to eat and drink on her own, her body has gone through a shock. You can give her drops of the liquid by placing a drop at the side of her beak. 99% of the time she will take it in drop by drop.

 

[dwyerj1]

Dear Robin of Summertown: [my x is Mary Hamilton] I have six chickens that were ruled by a queenly mini-bantam. When I added the last three chicks, I had no idea they would turn into roller-derby types but they have deposed Little Bird and treated her most cruelly. Their cage is large enough that she has always used her smallness and agility to outrun the bullies; however, last night they evidently attacked her (I had a light on to encourage hormones) and this morning she cannot stand. Her cloaca is badly damaged--almost like a Congolese rape victim's. I separated her from the flock, put her in a cardboard box with water, an electric light, scratch, layer pellets and a small bowlful of maggots. I applied Polysporin to her badly damaged cloaca. I fear that even her back might be broken because of the twisted way she's lying on her belly with her useless legs out behind her. Any suggestions will be appreciated.