Raccoon bit chicken's comb

[flowera]

This morning at 4am we found one of our chickens dead with the raccoon close by.

Today, I see that one of the other's had it's comb bit and some is missing. There is still blood. I am going to clean it up but I know the bird needs antibiotics.

Are antibiotics for chickens available from feed stores or does it require a vet visit?

A little background on me, I worked for a vet for 5 years and did wildlife rehab for 4 years so I'm not a novice at animal care. My question is whether feed stores can sell you antibiotics without a prescription and what type is for this type of injury?

 

[ten chicks]

This morning at 4am we found one of our chickens dead with the raccoon close by.

Today, I see that one of the other's had it's comb bit and some is missing. There is still blood. I am going to clean it up but I know the bird needs antibiotics.

Are antibiotics for chickens available from feed stores or does it require a vet visit?

A little background on me, I worked for a vet for 5 years and did wildlife rehab for 4 years so I'm not a novice at animal care. My question is whether feed stores can sell you antibiotics without a prescription and what type is for this type of injury?

Depends where you live,in Canada i have to purchase all my meds through a vet.

 

[flowera]

I'm in Oregon

 

[farmer boy]

the other day I lost 7 chicks in one night they were around 2-4 months so it must be a big family to eat all of them plus my garbage .. how many do you think there would be to eat all of them and the garbage ? and sorry for your lose

 

[Peaceeagle1]

Antibiotics are available at Tractor Supply. I'm sure other feed stores carry them too. I've never seen any specific for chickens. Most are sold for cows, goats and such. I use Tylan for resp. problems with good results. It is an injectable for cows bur for chickens , give an oral dose. I was taught to use 1/4 cc for small/young bird, 1/2 cc for adult/larger birds. I use 1 cc for my turkeys. Give 1x/day for 5 days. I've also used 1/8 cc on week old chicks. Good stuff. Advantage, big 1- you can treat single birds as opposed to everyone in their water.

 

[Peaceeagle1]

oh, no prescription needed.

 

[flowera]

Thank you, is it okay to eat the eggs while they are getting antibitoics. Let me preface this by saying I wormed them with Albendazole a few weeks ago and still ate the eggs after despite mixed reviews of doing this.

 

[flowera]

The farm store has Tylan but it's $60! They also have Tetracycline for $10. Will this suffice?

Will just a topical treatment suffice? Raccoons have nasty little mouths I know. =(

 

[Peaceeagle1]

Trouble with Tetracycline is, I have no idea how to give it to 1 hen. And you don't want to medicate the others unnessarily. Topical antibiotic could probably work just as well. Clean everyday, maybe with a little bit of peroxide(make sure to wash it off with water after it stops bubbling) Dab some triple antibiotic ointment on and good to go. Betadine scrub might be a good thing for a day or too also.
As for eating eggs while the birds are on antibiotics....you're not supposed to. From experience I can say- it doesn't change the flavor.
I opted for the Tylan when I had a large respiratory breakout. Kept the bottle for a year before getting a new one. It was very much worth it for me to pay the extra as I have had to use it many( too many) times. But I am glad to have it because it has saved many of my chicks. Was the feed store Tractor Supply? I don't remember paying that much for it. You might try looking online for it. May be able to get a better price. Won't help now, but it is good stuff to keep around.

 

[flowera]

Thanks! I will consider the tetra because I now only have two chickens. I have separated them because the other was pecking at the injured ones comb =( =( =(