my girl didn't survive her attack by the neighbor s dog. I cleaned it and put the skin back together best I could. I cleaned it and put ointment on it frequently, but it was so infected...just awful.
I put her down tonight. My youngest and I buried her. First time I have ever had to do that myself. Part of me wanted to take her to the neighbor and have them do it...but we are friends... and besides, I wanted to know it was quick.
I do have quite the collection of first aid stuff. Bought a bottle of Batadine tonight. A little to late maybe...but I think I will be ready next time. I just know there will be one, sadly.
thanks all. the pain is the worst part. i learned so much about what to do and maybe what i should have done through here... I definately wont use the ointment as much anymore since that seems to have made things worse, and remove more feathers than i had.. i looked for antibiotics, but i didnt find anything. Then this morning i remembered my mom having to get some for a pet bird at the pet store... i wonder if that would have helped? I dont know.. too late now, but the what ifs arent helping me.
who would have thought when I got them that we would get so attached? I mean.. we raise them for meat too.. i have never had so much trouble dealing with it. Probably because the meat birds are meanies and my wyandottes are sweeties.
only other problem i see.. is that my lab looks like the one that attacked them, so now they run from him and the one rooster jumped on him last night...then I spent 10 minutes calling and looking for him.
I'm sad that you had such an experience. Dogs are unfortunately way too common when it comes to attacks. The real shock/anger is that the bird was stolen from you; she endured severe stress that she wouldn't have gotten from a proper culling. This is why we must protect our meat birds as well as our egg layers or pretties. If they must die to be eaten, better it be humanely than tossed around as a plaything.
I would ask your neighbour what they will do to make sure this does not happen again & to make sure they recoup the costs of raising the bird. Now that the dog has a taste for the bird, and it is a lab (which are very much hunter/flush breed) it may try again. You need guarantees, not guesses. As well, if you haven't already, I would find out what you can do legally about trespassing dogs/cats & defending your flock. If not for the lab, maybe another stray or wild animal that comes into the yard.
Please don't worry & wonder "what if" about the hen, she's no longer suffering & I'm sure she'd be happy to know you two cared and gave her a funeral.
my girl didn't survive her attack by the neighbor s dog. I cleaned it and put the skin back together best I could. I cleaned it and put ointment on it frequently, but it was so infected...just awful. 
