- Oct 24, 2009
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Last night a raccoon got into my coop and did some real damage. I had 6 Rhode Island Reds, one of the was killed pretty quickly and two others were attacked before I was able to get in there and chase it out. One of the attacked hens got a bit beaten up but seemed like she'd be ok. Unfortunately the other one was so badly hurt that I had to put her down. I've never had to do anything like this before, never raised meat-birds (although even that seems like it would be easier than what I had to do this morning. I keep second guessing myself... but I know that she was suffering pretty badly, having trouble breathing, there really wasn't any choice but it was still kind of heart wrenching. The rest seem a bit shaken up but are acting relatively normal today, though the one who was attacked and survived is exhausted and seems pretty traumatized, though she's trying to peck at some greens that I threw in their yard which gives me some encouragement. Also, she seems to have lost a good deal of color from her comb.
Does anyone know if it would be a good idea to separate her from the rest of them for a while until she's recovered a bit? She's with the rest of them now but is just standing still with her head under her wing, semi-sleeping I think. Anyway, thanks for "listening," any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone know if it would be a good idea to separate her from the rest of them for a while until she's recovered a bit? She's with the rest of them now but is just standing still with her head under her wing, semi-sleeping I think. Anyway, thanks for "listening," any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.