Raccoon attack - help asap please

[Erin80]

Hi everyone,
We went away for the night last night and came back to a racoon attack. My 12 year old said she shut the coop door properly before we left, but I don’t think she did because our coop is bomb proof. She feels horrible and responsible.
One of my gorgeous Ameraucana pullets is dead and another is badly badly beaten - seemingly all in her face. Mostly her eyes. Both are swollen shut and one is oozing badly. I don’t even know if there’s an eye in there.

I have cleaned it as best as I can. If I use a dropper she will drink, I imagine she’s dehydrated as she would have been in the hot sun all day laying there. She alternates between laying and standing. I’ve given her many droppers of water. I have cleaned her face with antiseptic. Her nose is swollen almost shut and her beak is coated in hard dry dirt which I’ve attempted to wash off.
What else can I do for her? I do have antibiotics left over from when they had an upper respiratory infection in the spring, I was thinking of starting her on those tomorrow in her water. I’m not sure what to do about her eyes....other than applying antiseptic. Not sure when I should try to feed her, for now we are focusing on water. I honestly don’t even know how she’s still alive. I feel horrible. And am so sad to have lost my other. They are such sweet girls and only just hatched in April.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I am so sorry for your loss and injuries. I think you have done a great job. Post photos if you can. Very helpful always. Keep doing what you are doing. I'd use Neosporin (without the pain relief as the pain relief Neo is bad/deadly to chooks) to coat all of her wounds for as long as needed. If you have any human antibiotic eye drops I'd consider that. Def get electrolytes, a save-a-chick, Gatorade to help with the dehydration. Put her in a quiet and safe place solo. Give her soft food- you may need to help her eat until you can figure if she has sight.
No need worry about an antibiotic yet- and that one won't help her. Again, post photos ♡♡♡

 

[Erin80]

I am so sorry for your loss and injuries. I think you have done a great job. Post photos if you can. Very helpful always. Keep doing what you are doing. I'd use Neosporin (without the pain relief as the pain relief Neo is bad/deadly to chooks) to coat all of her wounds for as long as needed. If you have any human antibiotic eye drops I'd consider that. Def get electrolytes, a save-a-chick, Gatorade to help with the dehydration. Put her in a quiet and safe place solo. Give her soft food- you may need to help her eat until you can figure if she has sight.
No need worry about an antibiotic yet- and that one won't help her. Again, post photos ♡♡♡

 

[TropicalBabies]

Oh such a little angel. She looks ok. Just keep her inside, separated and quiet with fluids and make sure she eats. Can try softening her food, adding favorites,, just keep the calories in her and make sure she gets good protein for healing. This may take a few weeks but I think she will surprise you with her strength and healing with your good care. I always keep a good poultry vitamin around. Would be good to alternate electrolytes, fresh water and vita water to help her be her best. She will heal with your support ♡
Please keep us posted.
I would not let your daughter feel too bad. She may have saved you an even bigger mistake down the road. Now you know you have evil raccoons out there who know you have delicious chicks. Act accordingly.

 

[Outer limit]

Hi everyone,
We went away for the night last night and came back to a racoon attack. My 12 year old said she shut the coop door properly before we left, but I don’t think she did because our coop is bomb proof. She feels horrible and responsible.
One of my gorgeous Ameraucana pullets is dead and another is badly badly beaten - seemingly all in her face. Mostly her eyes. Both are swollen shut and one is oozing badly. I don’t even know if there’s an eye in there.

I have cleaned it as best as I can. If I use a dropper she will drink, I imagine she’s dehydrated as she would have been in the hot sun all day laying there. She alternates between laying and standing. I’ve given her many droppers of water. I have cleaned her face with antiseptic. Her nose is swollen almost shut and her beak is coated in hard dry dirt which I’ve attempted to wash off.
What else can I do for her? I do have antibiotics left over from when they had an upper respiratory infection in the spring, I was thinking of starting her on those tomorrow in her water. I’m not sure what to do about her eyes....other than applying antiseptic. Not sure when I should try to feed her, for now we are focusing on water. I honestly don’t even know how she’s still alive. I feel horrible. And am so sad to have lost my other. They are such sweet girls and only just hatched in April.

I am so sorry to hear this! I’m not sure what advice to give you, but will sure pray for comfort and direction for you and comfort and healing for your sweet hen!

 

[Erin80]

Oh such a little angel. She looks ok. Just keep her inside, separated and quiet with fluids and make sure she eats. Can try softening her food, adding favorites,, just keep the calories in her and make sure she gets good protein for healing. This may take a few weeks but I think she will surprise you with her strength and healing with your good care. I always keep a good poultry vitamin around. Would be good to alternate electrolytes, fresh water and vita water to help her be her best. She will heal with your support ♡
Please keep us posted.
I would not let your daughter feel too bad. She may have saved you an even bigger mistake down the road. Now you know you have evil raccoons out there who know you have delicious chicks. Act accordingly.

Thanks so much!!
What kind of high protein foods would you suggest? Scrambled egg? Cat food? And how do we go about feeding her if she won’t open her mouth? I haven’t tried yet but I’m assuming that’s what’s going to happen.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Yes, yes and yes. Scrambled egg, softened feed, I do canned cat food or people meat if and when I think they could use. Make it small and easy.
IF you have to syringe feed her- I was told and I found it best to use a 10 mil syringe. You can get a small clear tubing meant for fish water pumps. Cut about a 2" length, burn to soften the edges on one side and slip the other side over the nipple of the 20 mil syringe. This you will be able to slide down her throat and bypass her treykia, you may need to lube the tip with a coconut oil. Sit her on your lap and wait till she is calm, use a hand towel to wrap or cover her wings, you don't want her struggling. If she stops eating on her own, she will need you to give her @ least 3x10mls per day for her to get her nutrients to survive. The 10 mil and the tubing are not as bard to find as they sound, feed store, pet store should have one or both. Just make sure she is calm by taking your time and being gentile and go slow and deliberate with her feed -if she won't eat on her own.

From the photo her beak looks ok, just her face got tore up, eyes and head need some time to heal. You got this ♡!

 

[TropicalBabies]

 

[TropicalBabies]

I thought the tube length was 2+" but this gals got it going on so follow her lead. My tube feeder is not with me so I don't have it for reference, you just HAVE TO make it past the treykia. Hope this helps.

 

[Erin80]

So far I haven’t had to tube feed. Syringe feeding is going fine. I can open her beak, squeeze some in, and she swallows. We do it over and over again. So far I’ve only been able to do smooth foods like yogurt and applesauce followed by water. I’m going to try blending some chicken food with water to see if I can make a smooth consistency out of that for her. We follow it with a few syringes of water. She’s pooping pretty much water poop, similar to when I give them watermelon.....so I know she’s getting enough water.