Possum attack

[Ladyxan]

It stinks, but predators are everywhere. Where you live does not discriminate. We are in a trailer park.

My girls were hit last night. A possum took the life of one of my girls and left the other one in shock. Pennie is now alone and super tired. She walks with a slight limp (hoping it’s just muscles), talks a bit, but no open wounds anywhere that I saw. She has one bald spot on the back of her neck and her tail hangs most of the time.

It was 100% my fault. I was not paying attention to the time and sunset as I was cooking. When I looked up, I noticed it was dusk and went out to close up the coop. Found the possum and Hennie (dead) in the coop, but no Pennie. I found her a bit later huddled between the fence and bags of litter. She looks so ragged today. I pray she snaps out of it. For now, I’m keeping an eye on her and when I go out, I try to give her food and water. She’s been pooping, which is good, but not much else.

Any recommendations to help with energy other than letting her rest? TIA

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It stinks, but predators are everywhere. Where you live does not discriminate. We are in a trailer park.

My girls were hit last night. A possum took the life of one of my girls and left the other one in shock. Pennie is now alone and super tired. She walks with a slight limp (hoping it’s just muscles), talks a bit, but no open wounds anywhere that I saw. She has one bald spot on the back of her neck and her tail hangs most of the time.

It was 100% my fault. I was not paying attention to the time and sunset as I was cooking. When I looked up, I noticed it was dusk and went out to close up the coop. Found the possum and Hennie (dead) in the coop, but no Pennie. I found her a bit later huddled between the fence and bags of litter. She looks so ragged today. I pray she snaps out of it. For now, I’m keeping an eye on her and when I go out, I try to give her food and water. She’s been pooping, which is good, but not much else.

Any recommendations to help with energy other than letting her rest? TIA

I'm sorry to hear about Hennie

If Pennie is in shock, you will want to see that's she getting hydrated. A little sugar water may help. Check her over again in the morning for any wounds or just bruising. Sometimes a chicken will bang themselves up when in a panic to escape, so she may just be bruised a little (let's hope). Losing her friend, she will be lonely for a while, but should adjust if you take give her some attention a couple of times a day. A stressed chicken can also benefit from electrolytes/vitamins to give them a boost - if you have those add them to her water, but see that she's drinking. If not, then plain water is fine.

You are right. Predators are everywhere no matter where you live.

 

[Rldad1]

You might try putting some apple cider vinegar in her water. I think it is 1 tablespoon per gallon. Other folks with more experience than me can chime in.

 

[Ladyxan]

I'm sorry to hear about Hennie

If Pennie is in shock, you will want to see that's she getting hydrated. A little sugar water may help. Check her over again in the morning for any wounds or just bruising. Sometimes a chicken will bang themselves up when in a panic to escape, so she may just be bruised a little (let's hope). Losing her friend, she will be lonely for a while, but should adjust if you take give her some attention a couple of times a day. A stressed chicken can also benefit from electrolytes/vitamins to give them a boost - if you have those add them to her water, but see that she's drinking. If not, then plain water is fine.

You are right. Predators are everywhere no matter where you live.

I pray you are right. Looking at her face, I thought bruising as well. It is a little darker than normal.

She’s awake this morning, but not interested in coming out yet. Tried to give sugar water and she just sits there. I’ll get my dropper and give it to her at lunch. I work from home, so I’ll try to take breaks and check on her. Tonight I’ll try the Apple cider vinegar as well.

Thanks all! I love this group!! so much experience and info. I’ll check in with you all tonight.

 

[Ladyxan]

Oh, I forgot to say that she had a pasty white and green poop that was stuck to her butt feathers this morning and I had to clean them off so she’s not too thrilled with me as far as that’s concerned. But that saying that she isn’t hydrated, correct?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I pray you are right. Looking at her face, I thought bruising as well. It is a little darker than normal.

She’s awake this morning, but not interested in coming out yet. Tried to give sugar water and she just sits there. I’ll get my dropper and give it to her at lunch. I work from home, so I’ll try to take breaks and check on her. Tonight I’ll try the Apple cider vinegar as well.

Thanks all! I love this group!! so much experience and info. I’ll check in with you all tonight.

Do you have photos of her?
What's your weather like right now?

I would continue to see if I could get her hydrated, then offer her a little feed.
Isolating herself can be from a number of things - her world has changed, so she may need a little time, but it's concerning that she's not drinking/eating on her own.

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. Give her some Poultry Nutri-Drench or something like Poly-Vi-Sol WITHOUT IRON. Even some Gatorade. I have mixed it into a mash and fed it to birds that need some TLC with good results. It might take her a few days to really perk up. Good luck...

 

[Folly's place]

Applesauce is good too, and adding warm water to her normal feed, making a warm mash. Maybe she'd eat some scratch, and get some calories that way.
So sorry!
Mary

 

[Ladyxan]

She did some foraging today. Pecked at the snow here and there. Picked at some of her feed, but not much. Didn’t finish her small handful of worms and barely touched her cucumber. I even took the skin off. I went out a few times. Offered water in a small bowl. She’d take one drink and walk away. I’m thinking she’s wondering why I keep trying to make her do stuff. I’ll pick up some Gatorade and see if she drinks that. She didn’t drink much of the sugar water. She’s walking a little better, but it might hurt to go up and down the steps. She goes really slow up and bobbles a bit going down. I’ll try to take a picture tomorrow.

The weather is mild, but windy... in the thirties and forties. Better than it has been that’s for sure!!

 

[Ladyxan]

Applesauce is good too, and adding warm water to her normal feed, making a warm mash. Maybe she'd eat some scratch, and get some calories that way.
So sorry!
Mary

Speaking of scratch, it’s odd to see lots of scratch, for two days, in her (soda bottle) boredom buster.

I will definitely try applesauce!