Sad day.....injured baby chick

[mimisus]

I feel like the worst mother in the world. I've been lurking here for a couple months, learning everything I can about chickens. We finally pulled the trigger and got 7 baby chicks about a month ago.

They've been doing so well....spoiled, living in our laundry room, loving life. Going out for daily field trips to the yard, supervised, of course, for the past week and a half.

Today though, my daughter was over, with friends, and one of their dogs slipped in the yard. Thank God I was right there, but not quite quick enough. I can't stop crying. Little Dylan got attacked by a dauchshund, I was right there and pulled them apart, but little Dylan is only 6 weeks old and her eye was damaged. I think that's it.

I've been on here looking for advice. I cleaned her eye with saline and put bacitracin on it after I calmed her. Now, she is wrapped up, staying warm and (hopefully calm) on my chest. I've sent my husband to the store for more supplies, betadine, yogurt, pedialyte, bag balm, ugh, I'm so distraught I don't remember everything.

I did try to put her back with the other 6 hens, but they immediately ganged up on her, so I removed her. I brought in the cat crate, which we can put her in for now. But honestly, I just prefer keeping her on my chest, wrapped up.

So, any chance of her surviving, possibly losing an eye? It's closed, and immediately after the attack was bleeding. I rinsed it with saline water and put neosporin around the area, but am scared at how 'in shock' she seems.

I never thought I'd get so attached to a chicken.

Can I do anything else? Aside from the eye, she seems to be moving her neck and body ok.

Thank you for any advice. These are my first ladies since I was a child and I now have grandbabies, so I really know very little. Help is appreciated. Also, we live in a very small town, no way to get her to a vet this weekend.

Thank you all.
Susan

 

[av8torcrj]

Time heals most all wounds, physical and otherwise. Sounds like you are providing the best care that can be Expected. Don't beat yourself up, accidents happen and life goes on. Chickens can be vicious in the presence of a perceived weakling so the separation you've provided is a good idea. My neighbor has a blind bird that seems to get along just fine. Best of luck...To both of you.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree, don't beat yourself up. I'll bet that little one's eye will probably be fine. It was good you were right there. Tomorrow morning I would put that little one out with her buddies in a dog or cat crate. It's best she stay in with them some because of pecking order issues, maybe having a docile friend in with her some to keep her company would be good. If there are any red wounds, put some blue food coloring on them to disquise them from pecking. I know you want to keep her with you, but she needs to be with hef friends to keep her place in the flock.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, mimisus, and

! Pleased you joined us! Sorry to hear about your injured bird. I know this doesn't help but these happen. Chickens are pretty resilient so don't give up! Make sure it's completely healed though so the others don't attack it. Good luck to you and hang in there!!

 

[mimisus]

Ohhh, thank you all for your responses, she's snuggling up and seems to be doing well. I hope the best. Good advice on keeping them together, thank you, hadn't thought of the blue color...I just put her in there, and they immediately attacked her, and she's usually one of the more dominant ones, so I was horrified. so, I think tonight with Mom and Dad and tomorrow (hopefully) back (guarded) with her girlfriends. Thank you all. :/

 

[BantamFan4Life]

 

[liz9910]

sorry to hear about your chick

 

[drumstick diva]

sorry about your chick this is a story that happens all to often.

I have always wondered why people who come to visit bring their dogs with them -& turn them loose which tends to end in disaster. I had many dogs over the years and NEVER thought they needed to come for a visit when I went somewhere. I don't know something is wrong with my thinking or with theirs. Then again I have respect for someone's property and protect like my own.

 

[mimisus]

Thank you, drumstick,
It was one of those freak things. But I'm with you, i would never bring a dog visiting! The ladies and I were in a locked yard, and the dog in a separate locked area on the other side of the house, JUST for precaution. I never really thought a little dog would be able to hurt one, but I still took precaution. Little bugger managed to sneak out and into the area I was, with the ladies.and you know the rest. Lady Dylan is still alive, as of now, 2am, by my side,in a warm cat crate, just hopefully for tonight though, most likely. And I learned a sad, horrible lesson, never, NEVER let the chicks out when I KNOW dogs are around, even in a fenced yard! . Hard lesson to learn.

 

[mimisus]

She survived the night, but still seems kind of 'shocky', kind of depressed but I put her in the cat crate, next to her friends, they were very curious about her, she chirped a little then turned her back to them. Like I asked last night....is there anything more I can possibly do? She won't drink, so I have to use a syringe to drip water or pedialyte down her throat, but then she swallows good. Has nibbled a tiny bit of yogurt. Ran out of meal worms, but husband going to next town to get some today, she normally loves them. She was more vocal when I cleaned the area today, don't know if that's good or bad, I know it hurts.... Is it just gonna be time?