Injured cockerels

[Sondra_Lovell]

Chickens have amazing recuperative powers.

Give him supportive care--rest, isolation, easy access to food and water. A couple of inches of straw to rest on or whatever he is used to. Make sure he can move away from the heating mat if he wants to. A little bit of light all the time, so that when he is thirsty or hungry he can see his food and water. Quiet, too, so he doesn't get agitated while he is healing.

If you have a friendly uninjured bird in a cage near him, so he can see that bird eat and drink, that will prompt him to eat and drink, too.

You probably won't need to give him water or food for a day or two, when the swelling goes down.

I have a Houdan who has completely recovered on her own from a raccoon taking off her leg and cutting her up. If he can recover, he will. It doesn't always help to take them to the vet, who often wants to put them to sleep. Even my very good chicken vet would have put my Houdan to sleep. She sure fooled him!

>> This is very helpful. Thank you so much. He is in a big box. So, there is plenty of room for him to move about. I’ve been checking on him every hour or so. I set water for him but don’t leave it in the box. I’m thinking about moving him into a med size kennel I bought for cats after surgery when they need to be isolated. Should I try to do a wash over his face? I used q-tips with 75/25 distilled water/hydrogen peroxide to clean around his nostrils. I was able to remove some blood and a dried piece that was over his nostril. Poor guy is clearly quite uncomfortable, but so tired, he has no fight and let me gently handle him. Mind you, this guy is totally feral, never been touched by a human. And normally quite quick to keep his distance even during feeding. Bless him. It is reassuring that he could pull through with tlc. Any suggestions of what to feed the poor guy? I think you’re right that he probably won’t be interested in food for a good 24-48 hours. I don’t have other birds. These chickens are feral. But, I noticed in the evening two other roosters injured in the same way and one was getting attacked by one of the most docile rooster I call “Sunshine Superman” because he is all gold, is missing toes and is the most social and “mellow yellow”. Haha. I name them, but, they are not my animals, they just free roam here in the outer urban area of Jacksonville FL. So, tomorrow I’m going to check on the gang in the am to see if I have to rescuer one of the other guys that were injured. I’ll keep everyone posted.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Are these roosters yours?

 

[scrambled please]

View attachment 1612933 View attachment 1612934 So, I have a neighbor who refuses to keep their dog contained. They know their dog gets out and likes to attack animals because it is trapped in a garage while owners are at work. We have witnessed several attacks and have called animal control who actually came out today. The dog has attacked several cats as well as chicken (all feral). I called all over the state of FL seeking advice only to be directed to another number with no advice. Today I find one of the adult cockerels injured in the street. Dog owning neighbors act surprised every time. Even after they were in my yard on my porch screaming in terror as their dog was mangling an opossum just two weekends ago. The still act surprised when I tell them, your dog got out and mangled community wildlife. After talking to my neighbor about the poor rooster I had to scoop off the street, still alive. I left to find the beautiful white rooster injured too. And then!! I heard a ruckus across the street where one of the most docile roosters attacking another. His head was stuck in a fence but got out and I could see he had been mangled too!! Feathers and blood in neighbors yard by our big shared hedge that the chickens roost in. Feathers and blood up to their front door. They must have seen this poor rooster and just brought their dog inside and left this poor guy freezing and in shock in the street. No consideration!! I brought him inside. He looks really bad, and the two other injured cockerels might not make it cause the others are attacking them because they are bleeding, but too agile to capture. What can I do to help the worst injured? His comb and waddle, eyes and neck are so bloody and swollen. I have him in a box on a heating mat. I gave him water with a meds syringe. His breathing seems obstructed. I can only assume from blood that is dripping down his tiny head. Please help with any advice. Thank you!!

I can give you all sorts of advice, to be straight ,I do everything I can for 3 days. If they are getting worse mine don’t seem to get better, I get my husband to do the deed. If they are eating it’s a good sign. Pray that works too.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

I don’t have much advice but I thank you for trying. Not many would put that effort into an animal that is not their own. I appreciate those that are willing to.

>> Thank you. They bring me such joy. I am ill and not able to invest in my own. So, moving to a street where they free roam has been a lovely surprise. I really love them. I call them my chicken friends.

 

[Sirens04]

>> Thank you. They bring me such joy. I am ill and not able to invest in my own. So, moving to a street where they free roam has been a lovely surprise. I really love them. I call them my chicken friends.

It is these kinds of friends that often need us the most. So again thank you and I hope you continue to get more joy then experiences like this.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

Separate your cockerels and place them in a warm area on clean dry bedding. A dog kennel will work well. They need to be in separate spaces.

Flush their wounds with saline, warm soapy water (rinse well), diluted betadine or chlorhexidine.
If the breathing is labored, look inside the beak to see if that is bloody. He may also have damage to an air sac, hard to know - feel the body gently to see if there are any places that are swelled up like air.
Put a little triple antibiotic ointment or something like Vetericyn on the wounds. Check them over really well for any puncture wounds hidden under the feathers.

Offer something to drink - sugar water, electrolytes (gatorade for the first few hours), poultry vitamins. Be careful syringing fluids they can easily choke. Don't necessarily worry about eating, just get them stabilized.

What breed are these supposed to be?

>> Honestly, they are feral and likely not pure bread. I can’t say I know, but they look like New Hampshire or Marans in their plumage. At least this guy is. I found his brother beat up nearly as bad and another cockerel who is normally very docile attacking him when clearly he had already been bleeding because I broke them up immediately just by scaring them. Thanks for the advice. I cleaned him up a bit, but, will try to just let him rest for now and try cleaning him up better tomorrow. For a totally wild rooster, he is being quite easy to handle. Oh!! I got his beak open and used a q-tip which soaked out a tiny bit of blood. I only put water on his beak. I wouldn’t dare try and stick it down his throat he’s so beat up. Poor guy.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

>> Honestly, they are feral and likely not pure bread. I can’t say I know, but they look like New Hampshire or Marans in their plumage. At least this guy is. I found his brother beat up nearly as bad and another cockerel who is normally very docile attacking him when clearly he had already been bleeding because I broke them up immediately just by scaring them. Thanks for the advice. I cleaned him up a bit, but, will try to just let him rest for now and try cleaning him up better tomorrow. For a totally wild rooster, he is being quite easy to handle. Oh!! I got his beak open and used a q-tip which soaked out a tiny bit of blood. I only put water on his beak. I wouldn’t dare try and stick it down his throat he’s so beat up. Poor guy.

Unfortunately this is what cockerels/roosters do at times - they beat each other up, sometimes killing each other.
Are there females too or just the males? Boys coming of age can become territorial to and sometimes even the most docile will fight.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

Since the best advice has been stated, I'd really encourage you to photo log the incidents and keep a log of when and who you spoke to when dealing with the dogs owners and file a formal complaint with your local authorities. I rarely blame the animal for these things, most of the time in my police career its bad owners and there really needs to be some action taken in this regard. Can't have pets roaming the streets mauling and killing other pets and I'm sure this is not the only issue with them. Good luck and I hope you keep us updated.

>> Thank you. I will photo log for now on since it’s become a reoccurring and more frequent issues, that is very stressful to be honest. I couldn’t agree more with your insight. These chickens are considered wildlife in my county. So, no one really has jurisdiction over them. However animal control has been contacted after several attempts to work things out with the neighbor. Animals control actually showed up while I was outside explaining to the neighbor the dangers of their not properly controlling their dog. The owner bold face lied twice to the animal control officer. The officer pointed out that this same dog, owned by them has been reported several times now and told the owner “I brought your dog back to you six months ago.” And the owner bold faced said “No. You didn’t not bring my dog back.” . The officer checked and asked the owners name and said “Yes, it was your dog. I brought her back to you. You signed for her.”.. Oh my!! The things people think they can get away with. It’s quite shameful.

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

This is what I would do.
I’d collect the dead chickens.
I’d shoot the damn dog.
I would take photo’s.
PUT the dog In the pictures with the chickens...
then tell whomever....
that when the dog was done with the chickens he came at you!
I get enraged
Over irresponsible dog owners!

>> I understand. I felt very angry too. They are wildlife, not my chickens. But, I don’t care if it’s a squirrel, a opossum, a chicken, a cat. If a dog is left unattended that is known to jump the fence and mangle animals.. And it’s happened on my property and they are leaving half dead animal for me to contend with because of their negligence. I’m going to do more than try and help the bitten wildlife. I’m calling animal protective services and filing a formal complaint to put a stop to the madness. I hate feeling angry or having bad feelings towards people, especially neighbors. You sound like my hubby, btw. He is PISSED!

 

[Sondra_Lovell]

I can give you all sorts of advice, to be straight ,I do everything I can for 3 days. If they are getting worse mine don’t seem to get better, I get my husband to do the deed. If they are eating it’s a good sign. Pray that works too.

>> Bless you. Thanks for the honesty.