Rescued chicken from jaws of bobcat...what now?

[lizch]

Yesterday, one of my BAs got attacked by a bobcat. By remarkable coincidence I was very close to the attack, startled the bobcat, which then dropped the chicken. I assumed she was dead at first, but I sat with her on my lap for about 20 minutes as she gradually got her voice back and stood up. I put her back in the coop. In the evening, she drank and ate a little.

This morning, she was stuck up on the roost. I lifted her down and tried to get her to eat/drink and she won't. She's very still, very quiet.

There are no obvious signs of injury--no blood, no limping. But she looks like her neck is bothering her, and maybe one wing is slightly crooked.

Is there anything I can do at this point to influence whether she lives or dies?

 

[lizch]

Just thought I'd post an update with what I decided to do and what the outcome was.

I decided to set her up temporarily in the garage. She still wouldn't eat or drink, and had really strange poop (dark green, liquidy). I read very mixed things online about whether it was OK to force fluids into her or not, so I dripped some water in from a straw once or twice but didn't really go at it with any enthusiasm.

By the end of the day, no change, and various friends were telling me I shouldn't keep her away from the flock because it would stress her out, so I put her back int the coop. The other chickens luckily ignored her.

She looked depressed, still, and uncomfortable. But over the next 3-4 days, she gradually got better and started eating and drinking. She even laid an egg (though none since.) Now she's at first glance just fine, but she never stretches out her neck and is still just a bit dopey.

So, a much happier ending than I was expecting when I found her limp in the ditch! I hope this brings some hope to others.

 

[Suzierd]

Wow lucky for her you where close by. Very good to hear she's recovering. I would watch for that bobcat to come back.

 

[lizch]

Yeah, the sad realization from this is that I can't ever let the chickens free range, even when I'm out there with them. That bobcat was brazen.

 

[DeannaOR]

Scary brazen! Glad she is alright. Maybe a chicken chiropractor for the neck? =)