Raccoon attack

[BlindLemonChicken]

Blinky has eye issues that get exacerbated when she sleeps in the coop so she likes to sleep on top of it. Some nights I put her in the run to sleep but she ends up in the coop and her eye gets bad again so I have been letting her sleep on top. Its not smart and I've been lucky so far...until this morning when I found her standing off in the run, feathers everywhere and a good size wound on her neck. Her bad eye is damaged underneath as well. I separated her, washed the wound with saline and globbed antibiotic ointment in there, gave her mash with Nutri-Drench and electrolyte water. Trying to find a solution to her sleeping arrangement while she heals. I have another flock in another coop but she doesn't get along with them. My question is do I have to clean the wound any better? Last time I gave a wounded chicken a bath it died so I'm inclined to just keep rinsing and globbing ointment in it. Good? Not posting pics right now because I have to get to work but if necessary I can later. She's eating and drinking fine and acting normal but I know that could be temporary.

 

[SmiYa0126]

You're doing the right things, clean twice a day with saline, spray with bacitryn if you have it, cover with Neosporin to avoid fly strike. Give her some sweetened water as well to help with shock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Blinky has eye issues that get exacerbated when she sleeps in the coop so she likes to sleep on top of it. Some nights I put her in the run to sleep but she ends up in the coop and her eye gets bad again so I have been letting her sleep on top. Its not smart and I've been lucky so far...until this morning when I found her standing off in the run, feathers everywhere and a good size wound on her neck. Her bad eye is damaged underneath as well. I separated her, washed the wound with saline and globbed antibiotic ointment in there, gave her mash with Nutri-Drench and electrolyte water. Trying to find a solution to her sleeping arrangement while she heals. I have another flock in another coop but she doesn't get along with them. My question is do I have to clean the wound any better? Last time I gave a wounded chicken a bath it died so I'm inclined to just keep rinsing and globbing ointment in it. Good? Not posting pics right now because I have to get to work but if necessary I can later. She's eating and drinking fine and acting normal but I know that could be temporary.

What is it about the coop that seems to exacerbate her eye issue?
What's wrong with her eye?

Photos of the damage may be helpful.

If it's just the eye, then rinsing well with saline and applying ointment is fine.
Does she have any other wounds on her body that need attention?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

What is it about the coop that seems to exacerbate her eye issue?
What's wrong with her eye?

Photos of the damage may be helpful.

If it's just the eye, then rinsing well with saline and applying ointment is fine.
Does she have any other wounds on her body that need attention?

The eye is an old ongoing thing. I have another thread on here about it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/blinkys-eye.1537367/

I think her eye was actually damaged in the attack but I haven't had time to do a thorough inspection. It is still there so that's good but it was shut and gunky this morning with dirt and blood from the attack. It is open and clear now. My real concern is the gaping wound in her neck. Its probably nickel sized but like I said I am scared to actually bathe her-i just rinsed with saline, applied a hot compress for a few seconds, rinsed again and globbed antibiotic ointment on. She is eating and drinking and separated but I haven't been home long enough to get a better look today. Because of course that's when it would happen is when I can't be home to tend her properly.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You should not have to bath her.
Rinse/flush wounds on the body with saline, chlorhexidine or betadine, trim feathers away from the wound if needed, then apply triple antibiotic ointment.

For eyes, use saline.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

After cleaning this is the damage:

 

[SmiYa0126]

If you follow Wyorp rock instructions, she'll make it through, no problem. Chickens are risilient.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If you follow Wyorp rock instructions, she'll make it through, no problem. Chickens are risilient.

My mom said the same thing that they are resilient. I'm going to put her in the garage tonight and set a live trap for the raccoon. Stupid trash pandas.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Can you put 1/2 inch hardware cloth in the area where she likes to perch? The racoon won't be able to get at her

My neighbor uses marshmallows to bait his traps for racoons. We have a booming population, he's killed over 70 in the last two years, they go after his chickens

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Can you put 1/2 inch hardware cloth in the area where she likes to perch? The racoon won't be able to get at her

My neighbor uses marshmallows to bait his traps for racoons. We have a booming population, he's killed over 70 in the last two years, they go after his chickens

The way my set up is, no. The coop is attached to a six foot high enclosed run but the coop is just a prefab coop that sits on the ground. I have tried putting her on a perch in the run but she just hops down and goes to sleep in the coop. The coop is in another, much leas secure run. It has netting over half the top (which includes the coop). If she would stay in the run to sleep she would be perfectly safe but she has always been a high maintenance chicken.

Thanks for the marshmallow idea-I will definitely try it!