Hi Everyone... I'm grateful I've found this forum. Need a little advice....
I have 3 hens that we got last year. First time ever having chickens and I love them to pieces. They're very spoiled and attached to me.
Last night, we forgot to close their pen and were awaken to the horrible sound of a hen in distress while running in our backyard. I knew immediately something had her. When I got out there, we could hear something in the bushes. Thought it was my chicken, but no, it was the mean raccoon. It took off once it knew I spotted him. I quickly found my hen hunkered down by a bush. Her face was bloody.
. I held her for a couple of hours knowing she was going to die in my arms. She held on though. I found two good puncture wounds behind each eye. I didn't want to stress her any further, so I made her a bed in a dog crate and let her rest, hoping she would make it a few hours. She's still hanging on. After reading many blogs, I went to the feed store and bought some Vetricyn Plus Poultry spray and Electrolyte supplement for water. Cleaned her up with Peroxide and applied the spray. I gave her the water with a bulb syringe and she drank plenty (yaaaaay). Sad part is, her little eyes were matted shut with blood and even after soaking it off, she still kept her little eyes closed. 
So now that I've told you the long version of our dramatic event, I'm asking for advice. Is there anything else I should be doing? Also, the little openings on her beak, which I assume are her nostrils are completely clogged with dried blood and I can't get it cleaned out. Is that important for her breathing? Or should I leave it alone for now. She's resting in our dog crate and is at least on her feet now. I'm just heartbroken for her, knowing this is ALL.MY.FAULT..
Thank you in advance for any and all help.
I have 3 hens that we got last year. First time ever having chickens and I love them to pieces. They're very spoiled and attached to me.
Last night, we forgot to close their pen and were awaken to the horrible sound of a hen in distress while running in our backyard. I knew immediately something had her. When I got out there, we could hear something in the bushes. Thought it was my chicken, but no, it was the mean raccoon. It took off once it knew I spotted him. I quickly found my hen hunkered down by a bush. Her face was bloody.


So now that I've told you the long version of our dramatic event, I'm asking for advice. Is there anything else I should be doing? Also, the little openings on her beak, which I assume are her nostrils are completely clogged with dried blood and I can't get it cleaned out. Is that important for her breathing? Or should I leave it alone for now. She's resting in our dog crate and is at least on her feet now. I'm just heartbroken for her, knowing this is ALL.MY.FAULT..
Thank you in advance for any and all help.