need recovery advice from dog pack attack on small mixed flock

[pamelajy15]

sorry for the late reply, it has been busy her the last two weeks ...
I lost my araucana hen Sable...Sunday after the attack. The two worst survivors, a black jersey giant hen and my mixed buff orp roo made a trip to the only avian vet who would see them. Lets not mention cost. I have them indoors in an office, administered subcutaneous fluids for two weeks, 50cc ea twice a day. Each on SMZ480, 1/4 tablet 2x daily (antibiotic) and rimadyl chewables for pain. No one is chewing them...Cleaning wounds 2-3xs a day with Nolvasan Otic cleaning solution and silver sulfadine. Seeing improvements everyday.

Difficult to get them to eat... feeding live meal worms( homegrown) and organic, watermelon, Sweet potato, butternut squash, rice, fresh kale and complete feed, electrolites in water. So far worms, watermelon, rice and kale are the favorites that at least get eaten. beginning to scratch and eat some feed.

Roo still has major holes, smaller wounds have healed well, big holes, still working on...missing skin in many areas. he seems depressed...tried a day outside 2 days ago and had to bring him inside after he wore himself out crowing, calling for his flock for two hours...he is exhausted and just stands in a corner...will just sit on your lap for cuddles when picked up. This man would filet you if your path crossed his too close. Still on antibiotics and medsfor pain.

Jersey giant hen did not stand for two weeks...same as above...treating wounds. Most are healing well... only one deep puncture still open on her back and one huge open hole on her belly below her vent. Scabbed belly at breast bone, adhered to bone, treating with silver sulfidine and desitine. She is just beginning to eat on her own from diet above and standing for 15 mins at a time.

Have started an incubator filled with eggs from the last two weeks before the attack...hopes of the flock revival...thanks for the advice, thoughts and concerns...and thank you so much for caring to help.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm so glad they seem to be doing better. I'm really sorry for your loss, but you are doing a wonderful job caring for them.

Best of luck with your hatch and healing!

 

[Sjisty]

My hat is off to you! There aren't many people out there who will care and care for "they're just chickens" the way you have. I'm so glad the two, at least, are on the mend.

 

[Sjisty]

If you lived closer to me in central Florida, I would be happy to give you a couple of girls to help rebuild your flock.

 

[Sabz]

Hey Pam

I just lived similar to what you are going through.

I tube-fed my attacked roo. This helped him gain forces to "repair" the wholes in his skin.
I applied Bag balm on the would and in about 12-14 days it's almost completely shut now.

Your roo is so cute. Just like mine. At night, everyone goes in the coop but he is not strong enough yet. I find him perching on a low branch.. take him inside, he cuddles on me and sleeps.

You are so nice for caring for them like you do Not many people care so much! hehe

 

[teria]

Oh your story just breaks my heart. What an amazing Roo you have, though. To think of him crowing and crowing for his missing flock members is so sad. I'm sorry you and they have to go through this and wish people were more responsible pet owners. There's no excuse for dogs to be running loose.

 

[Sabz]

I agree with that. A dog came on my property and also attacked my flock, before attacking me. They keep coming to my house (that dog has a bother also). I was a marathon runner and since I live here, I don't run anymore because those dogs will chase and attack me all the time.I called the police a few times but.. I suppose that since no one got killed or injured, they won't do anything.

Really un-responsible to let a dog run loose

 

[teria]

I will say , speaking as a police dispatcher, that if the dog is not found running at large when the officer drives thru the area, and no one signs a complaint, the officer can't do anything. It would be no different than if your neighbor decided to call the police and tell them your chickens were on his property. If he doesn't see the chickens off your property when he drives thru, and that neighbor doesn't sign a statement saying they witnessed the chickens on his property and are willing to testify to that in court if necessary, then the officer will do nothing. He can't cite someone for something he has no witness for and he doesn't see happening himself. We get calls all the time from neighbors upset about another neighbors dogs, but, they rarely want to sign an official complaint, because they don't want the neighbor knowing they were the ones who complained. It's understandable. You don't want trouble from that neighbor, and in some cases you like them otherwise and wouldn't want them to stop being your friend.

My suggestion is to either confront the neighbor calmly and discuss what is happening, or, sign that complaint and let the chips fall where they may. Some people actually believe their neighbors don't mind their dog wandering around, or even that the neighbors love their dog and want it to visit them. Perhaps finding out that this is not the case would be a revelation to them, but, it may solve the problem immediately. If they really like their neighbors and care about the relationships they have with them, the problem will be taken care of. If they don't take care of it, then it doesn't really matter if they know you signed the complaint because they aren't a good neighbor after all. In that case, it's better to let them know you aren't going to allow that to continue and they will pay a fine for every time the dog runs loose.

 

[Sabz]

In my case we are past talking to each other I have tried to talk to the neighbours many times but they don't care.

As for the police, they have already talked to the neighbours and told them it was me that reported them hahaha. I don't mind if they know. I need to fix this before a kid gets hurt . I understand the police can't do anything without proof, it's normal. Otherwise too easy to get someone to pay a fine if you don't like them!

I hope it goes well for Pam. Pam's situation is a lot different.

I hope your rooster doesn't remain "nervous" after this episode! I know my hen's were freaked out for weeks after the attack :S

 

[LeafBlade12345]

How are the chickens doing? I would definitely talk to the neighbor about the dog attack. Before taking any drastic measures such as lethal control, remember that dogs are predators, they don't know what they are doing wrong by hunting prey. Hope your chickens do well in the future! Keep us posted
Good luck