Rooster

[Chickencluckery]

Hi y'all we had a massacre about a week ago. A family of 4 coons and a fox broke into our chicken coop and killed over 20 of our birds(turkeys and guineas included. We have them on camera so that's how I know what it is. We have completely reconstructed our chicken coop so nothing can get in. We set up traps and caught 2 coons, and 3 skunks... my rooster was attacked and survived he is an Americana . However, I clean his wounds every day put ointment on him. Both of his eyes were swollen shut. Ive got the swelling down and got one of his eyes open. The other is just now starting to open. He seems so depressed and he isn't eating or drinking much. He's looking weight. I bought a couple chicks to put in with him to try to perk him up. I've given him fresh water and any fruit, veggie, treat, chicken food I can get my hands on and nothing. I know it's only been a week now but he's really starting to worry me. One of the hens we lost was his mate and they were inseperatable and he never left her side. I'm not sure if he's just heart broked or what but I just need help..

 

[red horse ranch]

He has had a shock to his system. And I do believe birds get depressed when they lose, not only their mate, but the whole flock. His wounds should heal but the horror of what he lived thru may stay with him for a while. Just give him time and some new friends.
So sorry you and your birds had to go thru this.

 

[Chickencluckery]

Is there anything I can do to coax him to eat a little bit?

 

[red horse ranch]

Just make sure he is drinking water with vitamins and electrolytes. He can go without food for quite a while. He probably still hurts too. If he had any favorite foods before this you could try them. I usually have good luck with giving them scrambled egg. But I don't know any way to make him eat if he doesn't want to.

 

[Celeste Cannon]

I'm so sorry that happened to your birds. Sending love to you and your roo

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Poor guy. I'm so sorry about your loss. Does he have any favorite treats you could try? Mealworms, scrambled or hard boiled eggs, yogurt? I would probably offer him some Nutridrench or electrolyte water in addition to the fresh water. How severe are his other injuries?
We rescued a rooster from someone my husband works with about 3 months ago that had a similar situation, except it was only one eye. I of course had to quarantine him for a month, because bio security. I felt so bad about it though, I know he was lonely. We really thought he had lost one eye to whatever killed his flock. He never developed any respiratory issues or any other visible symptoms so we integrated him. He perked up instantly, and after about a week actually opened his eye! Maybe you could find him a couple of started pullets/hens that are older?

 

[1muttsfan]

Just keep trying treats, and don't forget scratch grain. If you do offer water with electrolytes be sure to offer plain water as well, some animals do not like the taste of the additives and will not drink as much if only offered altered water.

Some people give chickens a small dose of Aspirin to help with pain. The dose for chickens is 2.5 mg/pound; for a normal standard bird, at around 7-8#, that would be around 20 mg, or 1/4 of a low-dose (81mg) aspirin tablet, 3 times a day. Some people give a higher dose every 12 hours, like 10 mg/#, which would be about a full tablet twice daily for a 7-8# bird. You should be able to do that safely for a few days. Crush it up, dilute it in some water or runny fruit baby food, and syringe it into the back of his mouth. If he starts eating you can mix it into a small treat.

Since aspirin is a blood thinner it is not indicated for recent trauma, but at this point the risk of bleeding is much less than immediately after an injury.

Best of luck! And welcome to BYC