Possum Head Strike!

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lazy gardener said:
She looks much better than the initial description. If you can get liquids into her, you might try Poultry Nutri Drench, in addition to the electrolytes. You might also try this, and mix it into a slurry:

https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-exact-...N9t5rSEOyj7AId6ECExoCiXMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have no experience with tube feeding. How does her crop feel? Has she been pooping since the attack? Are you keeping her warm?
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Thanks...She is taking in liquids but her nostrils are clogged and mouth breathing so I just give it to her slowly while my husband holds her. I know the electrolytes are just for chickens but I will see what else the feed store has tomorrow so we can get more in her. Everything feels good and nothing seems broken, she had a lot of swelling in her head but that is going way down. Still has the black eye but eyes open a bit are a good sign. She has had two good, very smelly, poops since the attack. She is separated from the flock and kept dry & warm.
 
AllenK RGV said:
I hate suggesting this but the better way forward is to never let it happen. Armor the coop with 1/4 or 1/2 inch chicken hardware cloth. I really like your wonderfull chicken photos.
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We had a big ice and wind storm here and the coop was compromised. The possum got in before we could make the repairs. My husband is just wrecked over this. Everything is secured and double enforced now and believe me, this will NEVER happen again!! Poor girl. Clearly she really wants to live! She was just seconds away from losing her head. We just happened upon that horrific scene a minute too late but a minute sooner than the possum wished!
 
LCHack said:
Thanks...She is taking in liquids but her nostrils are clogged and mouth breathing so I just give it to her slowly while my husband holds her. I know the electrolytes are just for chickens but I will see what else the feed store has tomorrow so we can get more in her. Everything feels good and nothing seems broken, she had a lot of swelling in her head but that is going way down. Still has the black eye but eyes open a bit are a good sign. She has had two good, very smelly, poops since the attack. She is separated from the flock and kept dry & warm.
Click to expand...
She doesn't look as bad as I thought she would. Take a look at this thread and think about learning how to tube feed. She will need fluids first, then fluids mixed with baby bird food. FWIW, tube feeding is much easier *and* safer than syringing fluids. She needs no less than 23 ml fluids per pound per day, twice that would be even better. Let me know if you want to learn and I will teach you and come up with a schedule for you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/
 
Just updating everyone...Butterball has both eyes open today and wandered around a bit. She was much more uppity when I have her water tonight. Her strength is definitely returning!! You can still see how black and blue her right eye is. I think she can see OK, she went in and out of her little house today. Not eating or drinking on her own yet but we are making progress. Thank you again for all of your support and not thinking I was crazy for trying to save her!
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