Pullet attacked by fox and saved by cockerel

[Kkoleckar]

So I wasn’t sure which feed to post this to but I guess because it includes a predator I went with this. I have a pullet that was attacked 3 nights ago by I fox. I’m at first, I thought it had got her because she was gone and there was a significant pile of feathers left behind. Lo and behold the next morning she come staggering out of the chaparral near the house and after a few minutes of observing I noticed that the fox took her eye unfortunately. When my partner walked out that night he saw our 5 month old cockerel trying to attack the fox as it was dragging the pullet away (which is why I spoil my rooster rotten I fricken love those guys!!). I immediately picked her up and put her in my bedroom for her to recoup in peace and feel safe. My question is, should I be looking for anything specific after an attack like that? What should I be aware of with this sort of situation? It’s so incredibly important that is ok. Thanks!!

 

[swamphiker]

Wow, you have quite the brave cockerel! I'm glad your pullet has survived the attack. You're off to an excellent start by bringing her to a safe place to recover. Chickens are generally hardy to injury, but keep the wound clean and keep a close eye out for any signs of infection. You can also begin a course of antibiotics to prevent infection before it starts; I have used one I can buy at my local feed store and inject intramuscularly with good success.

After an injury, chickens usually go into shock and will not move around much and seem very weak. It's important to keep her warm and hydrated during this time. You may need to use a dropper to carefully ensure she is drinking, and you can add electrolytes to the water to give her a bit of a boost. She might not want to eat for awhile, which is okay, but if she's taking water you can try to tempt her with foods such as scrambled eggs, plain yogurt, or food wetted with electrolyte water. She may be off-balance for awhile due to swelling and getting used to having one eye.

More resources here:
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/predator-attack
https://bitchinchickens.com/2021/08/05/treating-chickens-for-shock/

Best of luck to you both!

 

[Kkoleckar]

Wow, you have quite the brave cockerel! I'm glad your pullet has survived the attack. You're off to an excellent start by bringing her to a safe place to recover. Chickens are generally hardy to injury, but keep the wound clean and keep a close eye out for any signs of infection. You can also begin a course of antibiotics to prevent infection before it starts; I have used one I can buy at my local feed store and inject intramuscularly with good success.

After an injury, chickens usually go into shock and will not move around much and seem very weak. It's important to keep her warm and hydrated during this time. You may need to use a dropper to carefully ensure she is drinking, and you can add electrolytes to the water to give her a bit of a boost. She might not want to eat for awhile, which is okay, but if she's taking water you can try to tempt her with foods such as scrambled eggs, plain yogurt, or food wetted with electrolyte water. She may be off-balance for awhile due to swelling and getting used to having one eye.

More resources here:
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/predator-attack
https://bitchinchickens.com/2021/08/05/treating-chickens-for-shock/

Best of luck to you both!

So I wasn’t sure which feed to post this to but I guess because it includes a predator I went with this. I have a pullet that was attacked 3 nights ago by I fox. I’m at first, I thought it had got her because she was gone and there was a significant pile of feathers left behind. Lo and behold the next morning she come staggering out of the chaparral near the house and after a few minutes of observing I noticed that the fox took her eye unfortunately. When my partner walked out that night he saw our 5 month old cockerel trying to attack the fox as it was dragging the pullet away (which is why I spoil my rooster rotten I fricken love those guys!!). I immediately picked her up and put her in my bedroom for her to recoup in peace and feel safe. My question is, should I be looking for anything specific after an attack like that? What should I be aware of with this sort of situation? It’s so incredibly important that is ok. Thanks!!

UPDATE: so we ended up live trapping the fox that was persistently at our coup every night and were able to successfully(for the moment) relocate the fox, and this was done after a whole lot of research and consulting with wildlife experts on doing this properly to ensure its survival in a new territory. But anyhow, my poor pullet seems to be just fine health wise, aside from her missing eye which looks like it’s healing ok, but man, I can tell she is traumatized (for good reason for sure) I’ve spent so many hours just literally watching my birds, doing there thing, and have become very aware of their emotional states and I just know she’s struggling a bit but I’m hoping she gets to feeling herself a bit more as time passes, she’s still in our bedroom and i even considered maybe keeping her inside as a house chicken. Thanks for the great advice and reply! Do you happen to remember or know the brand of antibiotics you used? Thanks again!

 

[CrimsonIdol]

keep a close eye out

Eye see what you did there...

 

[swamphiker]

UPDATE: so we ended up live trapping the fox that was persistently at our coup every night and were able to successfully(for the moment) relocate the fox, and this was done after a whole lot of research and consulting with wildlife experts on doing this properly to ensure its survival in a new territory. But anyhow, my poor pullet seems to be just fine health wise, aside from her missing eye which looks like it’s healing ok, but man, I can tell she is traumatized (for good reason for sure) I’ve spent so many hours just literally watching my birds, doing there thing, and have become very aware of their emotional states and I just know she’s struggling a bit but I’m hoping she gets to feeling herself a bit more as time passes, she’s still in our bedroom and i even considered maybe keeping her inside as a house chicken. Thanks for the great advice and reply! Do you happen to remember or know the brand of antibiotics you used? Thanks again!

I'm glad your girl is coming through it okay! I use liquamycin since it's what is available and easily accessible for me at the feed store.

 

[Kkoleckar]

Eye see what you did there...

lol I’m dead

 

[user651618]

Get that roo a wheelbarrow to carry around his big brass spurs in.

 

[Kkoleckar]

Get that roo a wheelbarrow to carry around his big brass spurs in.

I know right. Love that guy

 

[Lelilamom]

First of all, CLONE that rooster!
Second of all, you're kinder than I am. Predators around my coop don't get a free ride to anywhere except a big hole in the ground.

 

[Kkoleckar]

First of all, CLONE that rooster!
Second of all, you're kinder than I am. Predators around my coop don't get a free ride to anywhere except a big hole in the ground.

I understand that for sure I am partial to foxes but anything else I’ve had no issue. However if that fox found its way back somehow that would probably change things but i suppose you are right that taking that chance is putting my flock at risk once again when it could have been dealt with when I caught the thing. I appreciate the insight, it’s hard sometimes to know what’s an appropriate response in this situation for me too so it’s nice to hear others way of doing things experiences.