Interrupted weasel attack. Hen with swollen neck

[CCinVT]

About 1.5hrs ago I was woken by commotion in the coop. DH went out to find weasel attacking hens. It had already gotten 3, and he interrupted it attacking a 4th. Weasel is now dead. Hen is inside. I see some minor wounds on her face. One tiny back of head puncture. The main thing is under her jaw/upper neck... is swollen and warm. I see what may be a tiny puncture wound also but it's hard to tell. Shes a black hen. She can move her neck. I brought her inside to look her over. She hid in a corner till I set up a dog crate. Shes in the laundry room with electrolytes and a scrambled egg. Here's the thing. Its winter in VT. I know I cant keep her inside long if I expect her to go outside. I have no garage to transition her back. What should I do for her? Is this a wait and see thing? I also have a new baby so this is terrible timing... of course.

 

[ValerieJ]

Can you post some pictures of the wounds? Clean the wounds well with betadine or saline solution and put Veterycin on them. Or triple antibiotic ointment, without pain killer, will work too. I think she needs to be in a warm, quiet place to heal for a few days. I know it's winter, but I think she'll be okay back out with her flock. If the wounds are showing any red skin when she goes out, that should be sprayed with Blu-Kote so other hens don't peck at her.

So sorry about the weasel attack! That's awful. And you sure don't need this right now with a new baby. Would there be space in your coop to separate her and keep her warm for a few days?

 

[CCUK]

I think you will have a good idea if she is going to be OK in a couple of days. If she improving then get her back with the rest. Sorry about the loss of your other hens. Is it worthwhile putting some traps out to try and catch any more weasels that may be about?

 

[CCinVT]

Thank you! I will see if I can get a picture of her neck area... I do have veterycin, and no pain reliever neosporin. I could separate her with a crate in the coop but dont think I could keep her warm enough to keep her water from freezing... I have a new rooster (hes been in quarentine this past month. A neighbor just let him go into the woods ,and I lost my big snuggly rooster too this summer)who was going to be introduced to the girls after this weekend. Hes in a separate side where I would normally put her... the weather is forecasted to be in the low 20s for the forseeable future... normally I wouldn't think twice about keeping her inside or separating her for a few days.

I think you will have a good idea if she is going to be OK in a couple of days. If she improving then get her back with the rest. Sorry about the loss of your other hens. Is it worthwhile putting some traps out to try and catch any more weasels that may be about?

thank you. I am sorry about the hens too. I've lost so many of my flock this year. Our normal Fox, raccoons got my best broodies, then a careless person hit my beloved rooster with a car. I think preditors could just tell we were busy with a newborn! I have never delt with weasels before. This is a first. So much damage so fast. I dont know what type of trap we would use? Will more usually come? Do they live in little weasel families?

 

[CCUK]

Thank you! I will see if I can get a picture of her neck area... I do have veterycin, and no pain reliever neosporin. I could separate her with a crate in the coop but dont think I could keep her warm enough to keep her water from freezing... I have a new rooster (hes been in quarentine this past month. A neighbor just let him go into the woods ,and I lost my big snuggly rooster too this summer)who was going to be introduced to the girls after this weekend. Hes in a separate side where I would normally put her... the weather is forecasted to be in the low 20s for the forseeable future... normally I wouldn't think twice about keeping her inside or separating her for a few days.

thank you. I am sorry about the hens too. I've lost so many of my flock this year. Our normal Fox, raccoons got my best broodies, then a careless person hit my beloved rooster with a car. I think preditors could just tell we were busy with a newborn! I have never delt with weasels before. This is a first. So much damage so fast. I dont know what type of trap we would use? Will more usually come? Do they live in little weasel families?

I have no idea about trapping. Its not something I have had to do. I hope he doesn't mind me tagging him but I believe @roosterhavoc is an experienced trapper. He may be able to give you some good advice.

 

[sourland]

Once she appears to be out of shock I would move her back to the flock. You are doing all of the right things with her. Weasels (other than mothers with young) are basically solitary with one male and several females sharing the same territory. Good luck with her.

 

[CCinVT]

So you can see the scratches on her face and comb seem minor. The second photo is where her feathers seem thin and I see bruising. This is also where it is swollen. On the sides under "her ears". She is standing and alert, but didnt eat any eggs. Hopefully there wont be another one coming back. I will try to get some ointment on her when I can get the chance. I'm trying to not stress her more.

 

[aart]

I will try to get some ointment on her when I can get the chance.

No need for ointment if there's no open wounds.
Chicken bruising is often green, in case you didn't know.
Do you have other chickens?
Has the place the weasel got in been repaired?

 

[CCinVT]

No need for ointment if there's no open wounds.
Chicken bruising is often green, in case you didn't know.
Do you have other chickens?
Has the place the weasel got in been repaired?

Yes I have 8 hens left now including the one in my bathroom. It does look green. We have lost so many this summer, but the weasel was new for us. We think we know where he got in to the rooster side, but I'm gonna have to look a bit better to figure out how it got into where the hens are. My husband did see where it looked like it was trying to get out. Should I put her back with the girls during the day or slip her back tonight while they roost? She was brought in this morning, and it isnt going to get above 30 degrees today.

 

[aart]

Should I put her back with the girls during the day or slip her back tonight while they roost? She was brought in this morning, and it isnt going to get above 30 degrees today.

I's get her back out as soon as she's eating and drinking on her own.
Can you close off the bathroom and open a window so she doesn't get too warm?