Raccoon attack, really bad neck injuries

[roosterhavoc]

You might think about killing the raccoons too. This way when you inevitably make a mistake again they won’t be waiting to kill your chickens.

 

[CluckinClegg]

I found a vet that sees chickens, and we’re going to take in Jane this afternoon. I think Priscilla (my Barred Rock)will be fine, her injury isn’t as deep. We’ll just keep it clean. My poor, poor chickens.

 

[CluckinClegg]

You might think about killing the raccoons too. This way when you inevitably make a mistake again they won’t be waiting to kill your chickens.

Yeah, we’ve definitely been thinking about this. My daughter’s bunny died the night before (no injury we could see, we think he died of fright), and I’m sure this raccoon caused that heartache as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks, y’all! They were drinking a little and eating some mealworms this morning. I flushed out their wounds again, which they didn’t like. Gave them more aspirin water and I tried to put on some antibacterial ointment. It was kinda hard to on Jane (my Rhode Island Red) because her wound is deeper and more choppy. I’ll post more pics in a bit to show how bad hers really is.

It's hard to know how quickly she can recover from that.
It's good that you can see the vet, hopefully they will give you some antibiotics.

I would not wrap the wound at all, continue to treat it as you've been doing.

 

[CluckinClegg]

It's hard to know how quickly she can recover from that.
It's good that you can see the vet, hopefully they will give you some antibiotics.

I would not wrap the wound at all, continue to treat it as you've been doing.

Yeah, I’m worried, but she just laid an egg, and has been eating and drinking more. Maybe these things mean she can get through this? Anxiously waiting our visit with the vet this afternoon.

 

[CluckinClegg]

I usually just put neosporin on injuries like that and they heal up pretty well. If someone like @Momma_Bear suggest a different way of keeping the cut clean then do that, I do not know much about keeping cuts clean.
I have used these pictures so many times, I am surprised that they have become so useful, here they are again-
It's a cockerel that was scalped by 3 turkey poults this picture is from July 12th

And here are some pictures from August 15th

And here are two pictures from November 3rd, they are not close ups but the neck injury has completely healed and has feathers, the head is healed but bald.

So scalpings usually heal up pretty well if they don't get infected. This guy has PTSD or something though, he is very skittish and when he gets into a fight with another bird he will run away after a few seconds, even if he is winning.

Seeing this makes me hopeful for my poor gals. Thank you.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yeah, I’m worried, but she just laid an egg, and has been eating and drinking more. Maybe these things mean she can get through this? Anxiously waiting our visit with the vet this afternoon.

It's good that she is eating/drinking and was able to lay her egg!
Given time and barring infection, I think she has a good chance of recovery.

 

[CluckinClegg]

That’s some pretty yucky scalping. My best suggestion would be to clean them up and spray them daily with vetericyn. Atleast 3 times a day for now. Keep them in a dark warm quiet place for tonight

Thank you. They’re in the garage with the heater on to keep them as comfy as possible.

 

[CluckinClegg]

I'm sorry about your losses
It looks like you cleaned the wounds really well.
I would put some triple antibiotic ointment on the wounds or if you have it Vetericyn Spray.
I see you are planning on speaking with your vet, that is always a good idea.
If those plans fall through, then continue to do as you have been - try to get them both hydrated. Electrolytes, sugar water or vitamins in the water.

Even though the wounds look clean, since this was a raccoon, I would give them antibiotics as well. You can find Procaine Penicillin G at feed stores like Tractor Supply in the refrigerated section. Dosage is 1/2ml per day injected into the breast muscle for up to 7 days. Alternate sides each day to help avoid soreness.

Alternatively, if you can get it fairly quickly, order some Amoxicillin - dosage is 57mg per pound of weight given 2 times a day for 7 days.

Hope they recover quickly, please keep us posted.

Thank you for this very informative advice! I will post again after the vet visit!

 

[CluckinClegg]

yikes! shouldn't you wrap it to keep out infection? i did this to the dog when they got cut digging under the fence....but, never had a chicken look like that, sorry for your loss.

I’m not sure how to wrap it. I probably need gauze, which I don’t have and can’t get until later. We’ll see what the vet says. Thank you.