Rooster survived fox attack but not well

[glassdragonfly]

Hi and Sounds like he has had some improvement, every little bit helps. Keep up the good work!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Keep doing what you are doing and offer some food (watermelon and really watered down feed. I do a mash that I put in their beaks but that may be too much for him

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Let's get an opinion from @azygous. I think she's one of our best experts when it comes to injuries. @Eggcessive ,
@aart,
@casportpony
are also excellent and very knowledgeable, let's see who's available.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh, and Hi and welcome to the BYC community! You'll find lots of caring, helpful folks here. Sure hope your rooster pulls through okay!

 

[azygous]

I suggest trying red Gatoraid. It has everything in it he needs for treatment of shock, which could be part of his problem. If you can find a pencil thin syringe, it can fit nicely down his esophagus, and that would enable you to get more fluids into him.

Is he able to hold his head up now? I'm concerned he received a crushing injury to his neck. He can have a baby aspirin once in the morning, and another at night.

Try tempting him with chopped hard boiled egg or soft boiled egg. Tofu is another food chickens love that is good for an injured bird.

You've done very well to shrink his world, making it more secure. He may be working off shock more than an injury.

 

[aart]

I suggest trying red Gatoraid.

Curious, @azygous , why the red?

If you can find a pencil thin syringe, it can fit nicely down his esophagus, and that would enable you to get more fluids into him.

Here's a good illustration of which pipe to get the syringe down:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[Ale11]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. Chester is a good boy <3 I think it is still a bit of shock as he lost four hens in the attack as well. I am only concerned that as the shock recovers that he gets enough water and food to recover. I sit with him and give him pats as well.

Today he was drinking without the dropper if I held it in a little measuring cup and stuck his beak in it. The water I am giving him has a little sugar and salt in it. I also bought some egg and biscuit and made a thin porridge, which he drank a little bit of as well - not willingly either, as he was a touch grumpy about it which I hope is a good sign.

He stands up and turns about in the cage, and several times yesterday and today he would semi stand up with his head up, but he doesn't seem to be able to keep it up for long. He prefers to squat on the bottom of the cage with his head down.

I will get to the chemist tomorrow and get a dropper and some aspirin for him.

 

[azygous]

Curious, @azygous , why the red?


Here's a good illustration of which pipe to get the syringe down:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

Red because chickens associate red with something interesting and likely good to eat. It's one reason I get so nervous when we get a lot of rain here and the red poisonous mushrooms pop out.

I think it may be time to start this patient on some vitamin E oil 400iu. to try to help repair possible neurological damage.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I wondered why the red GatorAde, too! Thanks, @aart for asking, and @azygous for the explanation.

 

[Ale11]

Red because chickens associate red with something interesting and likely good to eat. It's one reason I get so nervous when we get a lot of rain here and the red poisonous mushrooms pop out.

I think it may be time to start this patient on some vitamin E oil 400iu. to try to help repair possible neurological damage.

Thanks for the advice! The egg and biscuit mix has vitamins and minerals added; would this be enough vitamin E or should I give him the vit E oil on top?