*OWL* 2 injuries

[Miss Lydia]

Hi, I am curious as to why your chickens aren't locked up tight at night? Just wondering

 

[JANAE]

because I am an idiot......and I have been spoiled.......and we have never had any issues........esp at night........so I have just gotten used to not having to go out there and close the coop door........I know....shame on me....but life gets so busy I just couldnt find the time or see the need.......but...when a tragedy happens it opens our eyes doesnt it......so the door is shut tonight and I have been out there with the red eye spot light looking for the owl.....not that there is anything I could do if I saw him since they are protected......

 

[CMV]

Don't beat yourself up over it. It happens. We all get complacent sometimes. Lesson learned the hard way, but not the hardest way. You'll be more vigilant in the future, no doubt.

 

[staplehead]

WOW... you have got to be a vet..or either you missed ur calling....sure do know about chickens.....i'll be sure to contact you ....if i have an emergency...!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Don't use peroxide on them, either!

No aspirin until the bleeding stops! Oh and don't give Tylenol, either. I think it shuts down their livers....

I would keep them separate from each other, feed them lots and give electrolytes in their water.

Get some water-soluble Tylan and give that...other than that, trim the feathers from around the wound so you can figure out what you're really dealing with...but be careful not to trim any skin!

Wash with slightly diluted IVORY soap and warm water. Coat with Neosporin (plain not the kind with the pain killers in it)--I use Q-tips to apply.

Lastly, if you can find it--there is some stuff called NPZ Puffer. I buy at the feed store...it works really well--it's like an antibiotic powder that gets into all of the nooks & crannies of the wounds and sticks to the bloody/pus parts that are harder to get at with an ointment and it helps to dry it out slowly, too.

 

[rockinpaints]

Good luck! It does sound like you have your hands full. I haven't had the experience with my chickens but an Owl did try to get my cat one night. He was not successful but only because we came to 'Lucky's' rescue and he was too big for the owl to carry.

They can be a little nasty sometimes.

 

[JANAE]

@ staplehead.....no I am not a vet......and ironically enough I have been told many times that I "missed my calling" because not only do I LOVE animals....but I love to care for them no matter if they need it or want it....

@ CMV...thank you.....you have answered a TON of my questions and I cant thank you enough.....I have been REALLY ANXIOUS these last few days and you have really put my mind at ease......with direct answers and right on top of my posts....thank you....

@ rare feathers farm....thank you I will do that first thing tomorrow morn....as I am sure they will love a bath.......and I have already trimmed back the feathers and I used the diluted peroxide as I was afraid soap would brun their already tramatized area....but I will crush up the buffered asprin and feed that to them before I wash so they wont hurt as bad...and thank you and I will call tomorrow to several feed stores and see if I can find the NPZ puffer.....that would be perfect.....

I feel so bad for them....I know its not totally my fault....(the owl is mostly to blame) however it hurts me to see them in pain....and their sad eyes.....they will be so spoiled after this I have no IDEA how the will adapt back to being in the coop.....

thanks for all the help and I will post soon with the recovery efforts.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Janae hope I didn't hurt your feelings, asking about why you didn't have them locked up. I am so gad to hear they are better. You are doing a great job. After I posted this one of my hens went missing and had to lock all up without her I was so sad, well next afternoon there she was back home I have no idea where she was she's always been one of the first in the coop in the evenings. I had myself convinced a hawk had flew off with her since shes small. Anyway I know know how it feels to think I could have done something different or not knowing what happened. Like CMV said don't beat yourself up about it. I am sorry if you felt a blow from me. Didn't mean to hurt ya. Hope they heal quickly.

 

[JANAE]

Miss Lydia.....no worries......I felt no blow.....and sorry if I sounded defensive because I did not mean to come off that way.....I do beleive I was an idiot.....and should of locked them up.....but since we built the new coop and run they had isolated one of the hens on the lower pecking order in the other coop and I felt bad for her so I didnt want to lock them up.....I also wasnt getting up until around 8:30 in the morning with my other daughter so I didnt want them trapped in the coop most of the morning since the sun was coming up over here around 5am.....but now with the time change and the situation change with hubby and his accident I am up a LOT EARLIER and can tend to them the way they need.....but thanks.....I appereciate the sentiment.....but no worries.....