My dogs plucked my hen!!!

[Island of Parker]

Help!! My dogs think this game hen is a chew toy...they touch NONE of the other hens, but this morning I found her plucked down to the muscle! She seems stressed but alive...now what do I do to help her heal? She WILL heal, right??? Am I the worst chicken Mama ever to want her alive instead of culling her?

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

She could possibly heal with very intensive care but personally I would put her out her misery and do the humane thing. If you plan on attempting recovery apply some antibiotic ointment and maybe someone with more medical experience will chime in. Her plucking is far to invasive for my knowledge and I'm surprised she's survived the shock so far.

 

[Sonya9]

They only pick on her? How many times have they done this?

 

[BGcoop]

Oh my!! That is a LOT of skin missing. Animals can recover from a lot but this seems extreme. You have to remember that skin is an organ, it has a job to do- like keeping out infection and helping to regulate fluid balance.... could she survive if properly cared for? Maybe, but is it fair to her, is she in pain- animals tend to hide pain. I know you want her to live but attempting to make that happen humanely may not be possible in this case. If she does end up passing, you will want to watch the dogs as they may choose another favorite chew toy to “play” with.

 

[Trisseh]

That’s some extensive damage and skin loss. Personally if I was going to attempt to keep this bird alive and go through the weeks and months of care she’s going to require, (which I wouldn’t for the sake of the bird) my first step would be an appointment at the vet. That being said, birds can come back from some pretty horrific things. But with a wound that’s this extensive, the chances of infection and other complications is very high. I assume you’ve brought her inside already so she’s not susceptible to flies.

I also would evaluate how and why the dogs have been doing this. Chances of them choosing a new target is high and may not stop at degloving the next one they go after.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Oh my!! That is a LOT of skin missing. Animals can recover from a lot but this seems extreme. You have to remember that skin is an organ, it has a job to do- like keeping out infection and helping to regulate fluid balance.... could she survive if properly cared for? Maybe, but is it fair to her, is she in pain- animals tend to hide pain. I know you want her to live but attempting to make that happen humanely may not be possible in this case. If she does end up passing, you will want to watch the dogs as they may choose another favorite chew toy to “play” with.

I absolutely agree and I also never let my dogs show any interest to any chicken or small mammal like cats or rabbits. It leaves the door open to pip their natural play/prey drive when the small animal/bird reacts.

 

[Island of Parker]

She could possibly heal with very intensive care but personally I would put her out her misery and do the humane thing. If you plan on attempting recovery apply some antibiotic ointment and maybe someone with more medical experience will chime in. Her plucking is far to invasive for my knowledge and I'm surprised she's survived the shock so far.

Thanks for your help. I too am surprised she survived this far...

 

[Island of Parker]

They only pick on her? How many times have they done this?

This is the first time they have touched her...one pup did perhaps have her cornered once but I actually thought she was just stuck behind her mirror and he was barking to alert me of it. We have 5 dogs and they sleep under whatever the chickens are sleeping under...never touched, chased, or bothered any until now. However, this particular game hen sometimes stays outside the coop at night (she can fly out at will unlike my other hens) and we have had a large coyote problem of late...hmmmm all this is just making me think so many different things...I did not actually see any dogs chasing or chewing on her.

 

[LaFleche]

They rather skinned her alive, poor thing. I would like to see her other side and how is her underbelly, skinned too?

Chickens can survive gruesome injuries if provided the right care, but I would always take into consideration the amount of time the injured animal has to suffer, the chance of survival and the animal's shown determination and will to live.

How is she reacting, does she drink and eat?

 

[cooingdove]

oh poor thing I would probably cull her personally but it is your choice