night time preadator attack Help!

[odphi18]

Hello just looking for advice/opinions on predators. I Live in a subdivision and we are not supposed to have chickens. Doesn't stop me. However, i haven't had problems with predators until tonight. Tonight i half stopped whatever was going to eat one of my RIR. She is tore up pretty bad though. Not sure if she will make it.

Here's what went down. It happened at about 3:00am. Heard a ruckus, went out side, chickens squaking. try to find out whats going on. hear something jumping and then as my light shines toward the noise i see the bushes move at the top of my fence. Didnt get a look at the predator, But whatever it was it tore up the back side of my hen.

I know i have been having problem's with cats (lost some baby chick's) but would a cat do this. What would you do to get rid of cats. Would increasing the light around the coop by chance deter the predator. If it is not a cat what should i do. I have seen possums around the neighborhood a long time ago. stole some eggs but didn't hurt the chickens. How do they operate?

What should i do for the hurt RIR should she make it through the night?

sleepy and angry,

Mike

 

[froggie71]

First of all your hen will most likely be in shock. She needs to be brought inside to a quiet room. Cleaned and dried. I'd put her under a heat lamp. Given electrolytes, have a triple antibiotic without pain reliever in it applied to wounds.

As far as predators, Don't know where you live, there are many that could do what you are describing.

ETA: I hope she'll be ok

 

[patyrdz]

Oh no! That is a heck of a way to wake up! It might be a racoon! I would keep the chicken warm and calm. Put her where the others can't bother her. Then give her some sugar water to boost her a little. If she is cut up I woukd get her on some antibiotics to keep the infection at bay. Clean her wounds with warm water and dry her good, make sure she does not get chilled.

If it is a cat you can live trap them and haul them in!! Racoons need to be put down. Good luck!

 

[odphi18]

For the cats how would I live trap them. What is the best way and where would i get the trap?
Thanks for the treatments

 

[patyrdz]

You can get a live trap at the feed store, or tractor supply. Use tuns or something the cats can't resist and you will catch them.

 

[patyrdz]

This thread has a good picture of a live trap!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=182783

 

[odphi18]

I have been staying up and guess what. Its a raccoon. I saw his bandit eyes from the bush. So now that i know what it is, what should i do? Is there Raccoon traps?

 

[Cetawin]

I am sorry you are going through this but let's get to the bones of the matter...

When you say backside...is it her vent area or her actual back that was injured. Coons usually go for the throat and crop first...they behead most of the time.

Fox take the bird and carry it off usually.

Mink & weasels will attack the vent area as well as the throat/neck area.


How did the predator get inside the coop to the chicken?

Get her inside, clean the wounds with a sterile saline solution, betadine or the like. Examine the injuries and wound carefully. Put neosporin or antibiotic ointment without pain reliver...the pain reliver in it will kill the bird. If you can lightly bandage her to keep her from possibly picking at it the better.


If you have electrolytes, get them in her water asap...let her rest, keep her warm and check her when you wake up.

 

[odphi18]

Actually its her left back side around her her butt region.. I am not good with anatomy but it looks like i can see her organs.
I have cleaned and sterilized as best i can.

as to how the predator got in i say from the top of the run. I haven't finished the coop and since i havent had a problem before this one it was easy pickings once it got in.

thanks for the advice. mike


after doing some learning. it is near her vent

 

[odphi18]

actually now looking at minks and weasels it could possibly be one of those. any who it came back, so it will be back again. Suggestions for defense. Mike