Lost my 4th girl in 2 days tonight...

[staceyj]

I recommend being seen at an urgent care of you don’t have a primary physician.
A round of antibiotics could be your friend in many ways but especially in documentation of this dangerous encounter protecting your livestock on your property.

Aside from the risk of rabies, those scratches can lead to a serious infection.

If you feel the least bit sick, flu-like, run a fever, feel any swollen lymph nodes in your brachial area, your armpit, neck... get seen.

And I am so very sorry for your losses.

 

[Fishkeeper]

People aren't allowed to kill raptors and cats because, if they were, there are people who would kill off every predator in the area. That's a massive impact on the ecosystem. Not saying you would, just saying some people would. It's been done in the past, there's a reason these laws are in place. The predator population in a lot of areas still hasn't recovered. Raptors, large predators, and the like aren't able to breed at high enough rates to keep up with their numbers being picked off by humans, whereas raccoons and the like, prey animals, breed faster.
Raptors in particular need the protection, partly because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is the law forbidding the possession of all but a couple dozen or so native bird species in America. Any parts of them, including feathers, are illegal to own. Long story short, a number of bird species were nearly wiped out by people hunting them for feathers to put in hats and the like, when mass-production was invented, and the solution was to make it illegal to own those feathers. Nobody wants a hat you can't wear in public. If raptors became one of the exceptions, a lot of people would start shooting them to make hats out of, to have as trophies, and all sorts of nonsense.
I'm sorry for your losses, and I'm sorry you can't get rid of the culprit, but there are a few idiots in every batch of humans who ruin things for everyone else and give us the need for laws like these. The best thing I can suggest is to put some kind of roof over where your gals are.

Did you get rabies shots? Probably smart to do so. Bobcats aren't normally bold enough to put up a fight against a human, I don't think. Rabies shots are cheap, dying of rabies is not. And in case you aren't aware, rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms show up. Don't take that risk, dude.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

So sorry for your loss you did what you could to save her, and I think that actually tangling with a bobcat is more than most would try to do. May she rest in peace.

Appreciated @Abriana ... life is funny this way, bitter sweet... had a few in the incubator, 2 babies hatched tonight, sooner than expected and they look to be in good shape; both so far from he girls I lost this week...

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

People aren't allowed to kill raptors and cats because, if they were, there are people who would kill off every predator in the area. That's a massive impact on the ecosystem. Not saying you would, just saying some people would. It's been done in the past, there's a reason these laws are in place. The predator population in a lot of areas still hasn't recovered. Raptors, large predators, and the like aren't able to breed at high enough rates to keep up with their numbers being picked off by humans, whereas raccoons and the like, prey animals, breed faster.
Raptors in particular need the protection, partly because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is the law forbidding the possession of all but a couple dozen or so native bird species in America. Any parts of them, including feathers, are illegal to own. Long story short, a number of bird species were nearly wiped out by people hunting them for feathers to put in hats and the like, when mass-production was invented, and the solution was to make it illegal to own those feathers. Nobody wants a hat you can't wear in public. If raptors became one of the exceptions, a lot of people would start shooting them to make hats out of, to have as trophies, and all sorts of nonsense.
I'm sorry for your losses, and I'm sorry you can't get rid of the culprit, but there are a few idiots in every batch of humans who ruin things for everyone else and give us the need for laws like these. The best thing I can suggest is to put some kind of roof over where your gals are.

Did you get rabies shots? Probably smart to do so. Bobcats aren't normally bold enough to put up a fight against a human, I don't think. Rabies shots are cheap, dying of rabies is not. And in case you aren't aware, rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms show up. Don't take that risk, dude.

I did @Fishkeeper, blood tests this am, some biopsy on my arm too.

great post btw. Agree, with all you said. Hard not to get defensive. But like my neighbor said, they do need to eat too...

I do have a fully enclosed run but the girls are used to free range so it's been hard to keep them inside. Anyone but me going to feed them in the AM, chances are they'll bum rush their way out and roam all day. We never had "area predators" issues before, except for one baby chick few week ago, so it's never been a concern. This winter season seems different here for some reason.

Much appreciated!

 

[CCUK]

So sorry you lost your hens. Pretty awful stuff. They are pets and not just chickens. I'm kind of glad I'm in UK as we don't have as wide a range of predators. We do get hawks, foxes, polecats, weasels and others but luckily we don't get raccoons and such. They have them over the channel but not here yet! Congratulations with the hatch! Hopefully that may go some way to sooth a broken heart.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

So sorry you lost your hens. Pretty awful stuff. They are pets and not just chickens. I'm kind of glad I'm in UK as we don't have as wide a range of predators. We do get hawks, foxes, polecats, weasels and others but luckily we don't get raccoons and such. They have them over the channel but not here yet! Congratulations with the hatch! Hopefully that may go some way to sooth a broken heart.

Much appreciated @CCUK !

LOL it kinda does, circle of life. 4 hatched last night and they're doing great! Another 2 months ahead of stinky and poopy garage-office but that's ok lol.

 

[Lyranonamous]

There are predators wherever you go. What concerns me is that the bobcat got close enough to injure you. When dealing with animals especially wild animals there is always the possibility of exposure to rabies. What were the circumstances involved in the interaction ? Did the bobcat come at you ? If so I would seek medical input from a professional.

X2-the bobcat attacked you, it seems that would put all of this in another light for the state. If a dog attacks a person it generally needs to be put down, I guess depending on the state. I'm wondering do you have dogs of any kind? If not can you get some big dogs to at least pee around your chicken area ? (if not can you ?)
at least get treated for rabies, this will also help with your documentation later.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

Wish it was the hawk... Bobcat did .... but thanks JudysMuscovy.

Oh sorry I guess I misread it -

 

[MROO]

Appreciated @Abriana ... life is funny this way, bitter sweet... had a few in the incubator, 2 babies hatched tonight, sooner than expected and they look to be in good shape; both so far from he girls I lost this week...

View attachment 1638054

Life does have a way of coming "full circle," doesn't it? Congratulations on a successful ... and I'm sure a very welcome ... hatch!

 

[Lyranonamous]

https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Wilder-Vermont-Woman-Recounts-Bobcat-Attack-502724052.html