Injured Chicken

[Vedranab]

I dont know thats the problem. A possum haha I doubt it... all I know of are foxes.. but it does not add up with a fox. People have told me maybe the fox has burried the other bodies to save for later..but I am not too sure. Also cannot have been a dog.. it is fully fenced off.. just the door to their actual coop was left open.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Here are the pictures!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I see why you say it's a bubble...

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Is it only that size? I was wondering if it's the upper part of her crop but that bubble is pretty small. I don't think it's blood either. I would think it would be dark colored.

Unfortunately I'm thinking air filled... do you have a stethoscope? Maybe listen to the bubble.

Her neck I would keep propped on a rolled up towel or something. So it's straightened out and her head is upward.

@WVduckchick, @Eggcessive, @KikisGirls, @Wyorp Rock

 

[Kiki]

Looks like an air bubble to me too.
Unfortunately I have no clue what to do with it.
She does need water or she will die.
Food is not as important as water for now.
Are you able to get her to drink?

Keep her in a warm area too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Vedranab Welcome To BYC

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.

The photos that you sent to @FlyingNunFarm - that "bubble" looks like a ruptured air sac to me. I'm really not sure if the air should be released or not - sometimes a rupture may seal itself, but other times the air would need to be released in order for it to seal back up - since she is doing o.k.(?) then maybe wait and see. If she is struggling for breath, then it may need to be let out ---- @casportpony @Eggcessive thoughts on this?

I agree with keeping her warm - and offering water (if you have electrolytes or vitamins to add to the water that may help). Roll up some thick towels to prop her up on so she is more upright and has her neck supported.

Could be that she has internal injuries - even if you see no blood, if this was a fox, they squeeze.

 

[Eggcessive]

Air sac ruptures from injuries can be serious if they cause shortness of breath or severe respiratory distress. They can be punctured with a sewing needle or an 18 gauge needle if that happens, and the air squeezed out. But since this has been going on for a while now, it might be best to not deflate it, but watch it and hopefully the air will be absorbed slowly. I would keep her calm, in a dark area, and offer water with electrolytes and vitamins, and when she is is alert and more active, offer her some wet chicken feed and water. Hopefully, she will respind, but if there are internal injuroes, they may cause her to get worse. Sometimes it takes a couple of days to see if they can survive, but keeping them warm, and watered, they can pull through.

 

[chickendreams24]

Opossums here can and will attack and kill chickens but I don't think they'd go for more than one.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think OP said they were in Australia - wander if they have weasel or something similar. I would tend to think a fox would take a chicken off, stash it, then come back, not just rip off the heads and leave laying.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Is there a chance of necropsy on one of the other birds? Don't know why I didn't think of it before. It may give clues to what's happening with your survivor.

If you can't I completely understand! Not sure I'd be able to.