Rooster injured after fox attack.

[Clarkland2022]

Hi everyone. I have a question obviously. So Monday morning a fox attacked my flock again (we’ve been having issues early mornings when the birds come down from roosting they are free range). The fox hurt my rooster pretty bad thought he was dead. But he is not his head was hanging to the ground rear in the air. This has happened before to a previous rooster and I put him down. After reading some posts of others having success with recovery. I brought him inside and syringe feed him water and head feet crushed quail feed. It’s now Friday and he seems no better. He stands but his head is to the ground. I do feel what seems to be a break in his neck if that makes sense. I’m not sure what to do for him other than what I am doing. I just don’t know if I’m prolonging the inevitable. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[nuthatched]

Have you tried vitamin therapy? Sometimes an attack triggers wry neck.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

@Kiki @azygous @casportpony

@Wyorp Rock

@dawg53

@rosemarythyme

Apologies if I tagged someone inappropriately... I am worried the poor dear is suffering.

 

[yeahkimmy]

Just had to put 2 down from a coyote attack. I am sorry!

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Is there any chance of having an x-ray done?

 

[Clarkland2022]

No, have not heard of that. What is vitamin therapy?

Have you tried vitamin therapy? Sometimes an attack triggers wry neck.

 

[azygous]

Vitamin therapy consists of vitamin E in at least 100mg once a day directly into his beak along with a little egg or a sliver of selenium for absorption.

He should also be treated for shock. Electrolyte water with a little extra sugar.

Have you treated his wounds? Infection will set in quickly unless they're also treated.

 

[azygous]

Here's what you do in the event of a predator attack to treat the survivor.

1. Treat for shock as the number one step. Give warm Gatoraid or mix a half teaspoon of sugar into a fourth of a cup of warm water with a pinch of salt and baking soda. Have the patient drink it all or syringe it into the beak.

2. Flush the wound well with saline. This is better than soap and water as it maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm soap and water will do. You need to wash away the bacteria from the wound.

3. Inspect the wound carefully. If it has a skin flap dangling, keep that. Do not cut it off. Look for bite, tear or puncture marks indicating a puncture wound. If you see this, the patient will need an oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Bacteria from the predator’s mouth can be injected deep into tissue and can kill in as little as 24 to 48 hours. You can order this https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/250mg once a day for ten days. Or you may be able to find this or something similar at TSC or a pet store.

4. Spray with Vetericyn wound treament and let dry. Use a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or a generic without pain killer in it to coat the wound. If there's a skin flap, lay it across the wound that has just been coated with the ointment. Then smooth on a generous amount over the top of the skin flap to hold it in place.

5. It's useless to try to stitch a wound on a chicken. Don't even try. It's also useless to try to bandage a wound other than on the feet. The chicken will not tolerate it. It will be pulled off faster than you can blink an eye.

6. Clean the wound every day following the above steps. Keep the wound covered with the ointment. Never allow the wound to get dried out or it will not heal.

 

[Perris]

Hi everyone. I have a question obviously. So Monday morning a fox attacked my flock again (we’ve been having issues early mornings when the birds come down from roosting they are free range). The fox hurt my rooster pretty bad thought he was dead. But he is not his head was hanging to the ground rear in the air. This has happened before to a previous rooster and I put him down. After reading some posts of others having success with recovery. I brought him inside and syringe feed him water and head feet crushed quail feed. It’s now Friday and he seems no better. He stands but his head is to the ground. I do feel what seems to be a break in his neck if that makes sense. I’m not sure what to do for him other than what I am doing. I just don’t know if I’m prolonging the inevitable. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

this happened to two of mine in 2019. This is a photo of one of them when I found him

Your boy is now five days in if the attack was Monday, so maybe mine's experience is useful. I didn't do anything except put him in a crate by the door (for his own safety), provide food and water and a clean environment (changed the towels several times a day). I don't think he ate for days, or indeed even stood up for several, but he did heal (there were bite wounds on his neck too, and his head hung during that time). Two and a half active years later, this was him 4 months ago

full of life and looking after a broody and her chicks (and molting). So I wouldn't give up on him until and unless he gives up. Good luck to you both.

PS I did not force feed him; I offered him soft food - milk-soaked bread, and I offered him water by syringe at the side of the mouth. He sometimes was interested and sometimes not. I don't think we humans are much interested in food after an accident or when we're really poorly, so I assume for chickens likewise.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

this was him 4 months ago

What a beautiful (tough-as-nails!) boy you have.