one thing after the other

[Growingthehome]

so everything was looking up from the end of last week until yesterday, our neighbor's dog (who he said he took care of the issue of her running loose onto other peoples property) was set loose and, of course, made a b-line to our chickens. We lost three girls. Now, out of nowhere every single chicken we got back into the coop is bleeding on their comb right between the nostrils at the top of the beak. it's not coming from their noes though and there are no black or white spots and it happened literally overnight!
could it be caused by stress? heat? its been pretty cool the last few days (in the 70-80 is cool here in TX). could the dog have given them something? I'm so lost.

 

[coach723]

Pictures would help. They are likely very skittish and flighty due to the attack, that can take time for them to get over. Since it's all of them, it sounds like maybe they were startled by something and maybe ran into fencing or something in a panic and injured themselves. Flour or cornstarch can help stop the bleeding if necessary (combs can bleed a lot). A bit of plain neosporin or blue-kote applied with a q-tip may help.

 

[Growingthehome]

it

Pictures would help. They are likely very skittish and flighty due to the attack, that can take time for them to get over. Since it's all of them, it sounds like maybe they were startled by something and maybe ran into fencing or something in a panic and injured themselves. Flour or cornstarch can help stop the bleeding if necessary (combs can bleed a lot). A bit of plain neosporin or blue-kote applied with a q-tip may help.

just seemed odd that it would be ALL of them, in the same spot you know. But they did run through the fencing up into the woods to get away. definitely not letting them out of the run for a while and letting them calm down with treats and "indoor" entertainment (since they are mostly pasture-raised and not used to the coop). I'll be going in and trying some cornstarch on them right away. Thank you for the advice. they are our first flock so I freak out anytime there is a death or sign of sickness or blood, or... well... you know. ha

 

[Ebony Rose]

With several birds no longer in the pecking order, they are probably reestablishing who's who.

 

[Growingthehome]

With several birds no longer in the pecking order, they are probably reestablishing who's who.

I didn't think of that. We didn't lose our cockerel so I guess I just thought that would make it an easier transition. *sigh* They didn't even want to come out of the roost to the run today even with frozen watermelon and mealworms. they are really shaken.

 

[Growingthehome]

It probably also doesn't help that they have to be in the run until the weekend when I can get an electric fence to put up around the coop. They are not at all used to being in the run all day and don't play well when confined.

 

[coach723]

Once when I had a hawk attack they didn't come out of the covered run for 4 days and they were very skittish about everything for over a week. Just a leaf blowing would cause my roo to alert and mass panic would ensue. Their world is shaken and it takes time for them to calm down again. When they run, they just scatter and run, they don't think or look, so running into things is common. And no matter where the birds that were lost were in the pecking order, some adjusting will happen. I hope the dog problem will not be an on going one for you. I had a similar problem and I put word out through the 'grapevine' that the dogs would be shot if they came after my chickens again (perfectly legal when protecting livestock where I live) and the problem finally stopped. That was after speaking to the owners more than once and being ignored. Some dog owners just are not responsible.

 

[Growingthehome]

Once when I had a hawk attack they didn't come out of the covered run for 4 days and they were very skittish about everything for over a week. Just a leaf blowing would cause my roo to alert and mass panic would ensue. Their world is shaken and it takes time for them to calm down again. When they run, they just scatter and run, they don't think or look, so running into things is common. And no matter where the birds that were lost were in the pecking order, some adjusting will happen. I hope the dog problem will not be an on going one for you. I had a similar problem and I put word out through the 'grapevine' that the dogs would be shot if they came after my chickens again (perfectly legal when protecting livestock where I live) and the problem finally stopped. That was after speaking to the owners more than once and being ignored. Some dog owners just are not responsible.

I went to put cornstarch on some beaks and my bottom of the flock chicken was looking WORST. I definitely think they are stressed and trying to find out who is who and where everyone goes now. Should I move their food from the run to the roost so they can eat? They are only coming out to the run while I sit there but... I have other things to attend to.... like my human babies.

 

[coach723]

I don't like food and water in the coop, too messy, attracts pests. But you have to decide based on your conditions. If it's really hot I might put water in there so they drink. I would just move it closer to the door, encourage them to come out even if it's just for a bit, but close enough to run and hide if they need to. If they absolutely are not eating and drinking then I might move it in there for a day or two, then start moving it gradually back to where it was before.

 

[Growingthehome]

good news! the bleeding stopped after some cornstarch and chilling out. they went out of the rooster yesterday and today I let them out of the coop with word that animal control had a talk with the neighbor informing him that under TX law I have the right to shoot his dog for killing or even trying to kill our livestock (not that I would but the threat seemed to work). Under the watchful eye of our dog, all the girls seemed safe, but a little standoff-ish to ours (who is being trained to watch them), rightfully so. All is looking up.