my chicken just barely made it out alive from a possum attack, what do i do?

[Peckyweck01]

another update, he is drinking on his own now so he will be a new chicken in no time!! i also hung up a feeder and waterer so he can get stuff when he needs.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So sorry you had an attack on your hen. This is so odd to me. I’ve had opossums in my coop before and they have never bothered the hens. Raccoon on the other hand are vicious and will kill chickens

Opossum are most known for stealing eggs or chicks but just about everything also enjoys a chicken dinner and unfortunately there's a first time for everything. One member even SAW their chicken attacked by a turkey vulture!

Now you know, please don't let your guard down. Rats have been known to eat a hen alive as well.

another update, he is drinking on his own now so he will be a new chicken in no time!! i also hung up a feeder and waterer so he can get stuff when he needs.

So glad your guy is recovering, Chickens are hardy creatures! Very sorry for the loss of you lady.

Sounds like you are taking good care of him. Since he is acting fine.. please remove the sugar from his water. Are you offering him a formulated chicken ration that is NOT "layer" feed? Or what kind of feed did you get for him? Are you giving treats? Did you already state how old he is or what breed?

Tail feathers he lost may or may not grow back in before he molts.

Thank you Dad, for handling business as humanely as possible!

Have you already shored up any entry points for uninvited future guests? I would be sure and do this before returning him. Also consider getting him some companions when you feel he is back up to par.. and YOU are ready. Many feed stores start getting chicks in Feb, I just hatched some, and Craigslist farm & garden section may be good places to look. Protect your boy and beware of ANY sneezing, watery eyes, raspy breathing like wheezing, or LIMPING)

Consider adding your general location to your profile so folks can make their best suggestion possible at a glance.

If you'd like to.. share a photo of your pair in their better days to honor your lost hens life, I'd love to to see your dear friends?!

 

[Cupcake1243]

Amazinggg Glad he is doing ok!

 

[Peckyweck01]

Opossum are most known fro stealing eggs or chicks but just about everything also enjoys a chicken dinner and unfortunately there's a first time for everything. One member even SAW their chicken attacked by a turkey vulture!

Now you know, please don't let your guard down. Rats have been known to eat a hen alive as well.




So glad your guy is recovering, Chickens are hardy creatures! Very sorry for the loss of you lady.

Sounds like you are taking good care of him. Since he is acting fine.. please remove the sugar from his water. Are you offering him a formulated chicken ration that is NOT "layer" feed? Or what kind of feed did you get for him? Are you giving treats? Did you already state how old he is or what breed?

Tail feathers he lost may or may not grow back in before he molts.

Thank you Dad, for handling business as humanely as possible!

Have you already shored up any entry points for uninvited future guests? I would be sure and do this before returning him. Also consider getting him some companions when you feel he is back up to par.. and YOU are ready. Many feed stores start getting chicks in Feb, I just hatched some, and Craigslist farm & garden section may be good places to look. Protect your boy and beware of ANY sneezing, watery eyes, raspy breathing like wheezing, or LIMPING)

Consider adding your general location to your profile so folks can make their best suggestion possible at a glance.

If you'd like to.. share a photo of your pair in their better days to honor your lost hens life, I'd love to to see your dear friends?!

He is just standing around and he is sleeping most of the day. He doesnt walk just stands unless he needs food or water. Just to verify, should i keep the sugar in or out of the water since he just stands there? All I have for chicken feed is layena layer feed from purina. The soonest i can get a different type of feed would be tomorrow sometime. Any suggestions? I am not giving treats because he isnt really "motivated" to do anything. He is a purebred black silkie bantam roo and he is 9 months. I am going to fix up the house he was in and get a better safer idea somehow before he goes back out.

 

[Peckyweck01]

@EggSighted4Life

I dont have any pictures of the hen now, but i will upload when i get the chance

 

[EggSighted4Life]

should i keep the sugar in or out of the water since he just stands there? All I have for chicken feed is layena layer feed from purina. The soonest i can get a different type of feed would be tomorrow sometime. Any suggestions?

He's probably still in a bit of shock and maybe confused as well as maybe in a bit of pain.

When you're ready offer him a scrambled egg. They are often easy to digest, as well as highly palatable and loaded with nutrients.. as a treat or quick pick up like now are great just, not too often since 34% protein but 64% fat.

Leave the sugar for now.. I'll be back shortly with some more Q & A..

Is he passing any droppings? Do you have any bird vitamin or human vitamins or baby vitamins on hand now, if so please share what? DO you have any ASPIRIN on hand?

ETA: sleeping is probably good.. he's likely exhausted and the body is using energy to repair itself.

 

[Peckyweck01]

He's probably still in a bit of shock and maybe confused as well as maybe in a bit of pain.

When you're ready offer him a scrambled egg. They are often easy to digest, as well as highly palatable and loaded with nutrients.. as a treat or quick pick up like now are great just, not too often since 34% protein but 64% fat.

Leave the sugar for now.. I'll be back shortly with some more Q & A..

Is he passing any droppings? Do you have any bird vitamin or human vitamins or baby vitamins on hand now, if so please share what? DO you have any ASPIRIN on hand?

ETA: sleeping is probably good.. he's likely exhausted and the body is using energy to repair itself.

He is passing droppings. How often should I put eye drops in his eye and for how long? Im not sure how long but a guess for how often to put a drop in his eye is twice a day? Also, I think I may have some vitamins or aspirin. if not i will get some along with the feed but i will probably only be able to get things as soon as tomorrow sometime.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

He is passing droppings. How often should I put eye drops in his eye and for how long? Im not sure how long but a guess for how often to put a drop in his eye is twice a day? Also, I think I may have some vitamins or aspirin. if not i will get some along with the feed but i will probably only be able to get things as soon as tomorrow sometime.

What kind of eye drops are they?

I tend to leave things alone and let the body do it's amazing self healing miracle. But if using Vetricyn antibacterial eye wash or something like that.. then I would follow the directions on the package.

If you have a human B complex on hand.. that can be added just to boost his immune system. Don't buy it on purpose though. Maybe a little wet feed can be offered.. sometimes this adds extra interest. But do not worry about food.. drinking is the MOST important thing to avoid dehydration... offer him extra drink of water directly to see if he takes them even though he wasn't actively thinking about drinking.

Aspirin can be used over the counter for pain relief SHORT term, once the extent of injury is identified.. if it deemed needed and NOT going to allow too much freedom of movement so as to cause more injury.. Pain and swelling is technically a good thing when it is protecting nerves, bones, joints, etc.. but if it allows enough relief to eat and drink AND importantly relax/rest and ultimately recover.. I believe dosage is included in the following link.. If actively eating and drinking, it may not be needed. It does alter water flavor so careful not to decrease actual drinking..

Avian pain relief

Get an unmedicated "starter", flock raiser, grower, all flock, meat bird, broiler.. Anything but layer or breeder formulas and he'll be good. Don't panic about it not being until tomorrow. The difference is always protein and calcium content.. Layer/breeder will have too much calcium LONG term for birds not in lay like roosters.. The other feeds mentioned will be a little higher in protein and amino acids.. thus also offering a little more immune system support to get through hard times when they present. When you have layers again.. just offer oyster shell free choice on the side and ALL will fine with the SAME feed.

If you WANT to give him a boost and have something on hand for future use..

Poultry Nutri Drench is a very good choice.. even for chicks. (direct dose or mixed in water)

Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell - product (mixed better in moist food or snack than water)
~ OR ~
Rooster Booster brand Poultry Booster - product (not sure about solubility since I haven't used it yet but I do like the analysis)

Are also good choices.. please compare them and see if any make sense to YOU and pick ONE or two IF it's within your resources.

Injuries are not an area I have a lot of experience in. I mostly keep the environment clean and dry to HELP avoid infection and offer extra nutrients to boost NATURAL immunity.. I wonder if @Wyorp Rock has anything to add or anyone to call on? TIA!

 

[Peckyweck01]

What kind of eye drops are they?

I tend to leave things alone and let the body do it's amazing self healing miracle. But if using Vetricyn antibacterial eye wash or something like that.. then I would follow the directions on the package.

If you have a human B complex on hand.. that can be added just to boost his immune system. Don't buy it on purpose though. Maybe a little wet feed can be offered.. sometimes this adds extra interest. But do not worry about food.. drinking is the MOST important thing to avoid dehydration... offer him extra drink of water directly to see if he takes them even though he wasn't actively thinking about drinking.

Aspirin can be used over the counter for pain relief SHORT term, once the extent of injury is identified.. if it deemed needed and NOT going to allow too much freedom of movement so as to cause more injury.. Pain and swelling is technically a good thing when it is protecting nerves, bones, joints, etc.. but if it allows enough relief to eat and drink AND importantly relax/rest and ultimately recover.. I believe dosage is included in the following link.. If actively eating and drinking, it may not be needed. It does alter water flavor so careful not to decrease actual drinking..

Avian pain relief

Get an unmedicated "starter", flock raiser, grower, all flock, meat bird, broiler.. Anything but layer or breeder formulas and he'll be good. Don't panic about it not being until tomorrow. The difference is always protein and calcium content.. Layer/breeder will have too much calcium LONG term for birds not in lay like roosters.. The other feeds mentioned will be a little higher in protein and amino acids.. thus also offering a little more immune system support to get through hard times when they present. When you have layers again.. just offer oyster shell free choice on the side and ALL will fine with the SAME feed.

If you WANT to give him a boost and have something on hand for future use..

Poultry Nutri Drench is a very good choice.. even for chicks. (direct dose or mixed in water)

Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell - product (mixed better in moist food or snack than water)
~ OR ~
Rooster Booster brand Poultry Booster - product (not sure about solubility since I haven't used it yet but I do like the analysis)

Are also good choices.. please compare them and see if any make sense to YOU and pick ONE or two IF it's within your resources.

Injuries are not an area I have a lot of experience in. I mostly keep the environment clean and dry to HELP avoid infection and offer extra nutrients to boost NATURAL immunity.. I wonder if @Wyorp Rock has anything to add or anyone to call on? TIA!

The eye drops are more for humans, but it is called Systan. I will look into feed. He is doing good tonight, he talks to me if i say his name! He isnt sleeping as much so I think he is feeling a little better. On the container of the eye drops it doesnt have directions, so I guess i will do 1 to 2 times a day and see how that works. Or i can just leave it alone. Thank you for your help!

 

[Peckyweck01]

Also, he is eating an drinking fine. I may try some treat or egg tomorrow.