Sick Chicken

[JuChicks]

Hey guys, this is my first time posting a thread so I hope I'm doing this right...

About 3 days ago, my coop was raided by some sort of animal, probably a cat. It took 2 of my chickens and left 1 in pretty bad shape. She isn't in bad shape as in losing all her feathers or scratches everywhere. In fact, after checking her over, I found absolutely no scratch marks or anything! However, she had her eyes shut and wasn't moving much at all. I tried feeding her and giving her water but she didn't take anything. A day or two later, she partially opened one eye from time to time. Yesterday, she opened both most of the way, again, not all the time though. One eye (that she opened yesterday) is pretty dilated while the other has come back to almost normal dilation. She still fumbles around and doesn't move as much as before but she is taking food and water. I'm pretty sure that she can see somewhat because I sometimes catch her eating by herself and moving around the henhouse without bumping into things at all. I've been giving her electrolytes to give her as much energy as possible. She is still laying eggs.

Do you guys have any idea what might be wrong? Should I give her carrots (I'm pretty sure they help with eyesight)? Could it be chicken PTSD? Thanks for anything at all!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

3 days ago, my coop was raided by some sort of animal, probably a cat. It took 2 of my chickens and left 1 in pretty bad shape. She isn't in bad shape as in losing all her feathers or scratches everywhere. In fact, after checking her over, I found absolutely no scratch marks or anything! However, she had her eyes shut and wasn't moving much at all.

tried feeding her and giving her water but she didn't take anything. A day or two later, she partially opened one eye from time to time. Yesterday, she opened both most of the way, again, not all the time though. One eye (that she opened yesterday) is pretty dilated while the other has come back to almost normal dilation. She still fumbles around and doesn't move as much as before but she is taking food and water.

Do you guys have any idea what might be wrong? Should I give her carrots (I'm pretty sure they help with eyesight)? Could it be chicken PTSD? Thanks for anything at all!

These were adult hens?

I'm no predator expert, but if 2 hens were taken/completely gone - then I would suspect Fox or Coyote instead of a Cat.

You remaining hen does sound like she's been injured/suffered trauma with the symptoms you describe. Even if you didn't find a scratch on her - sounds like head trauma to me since the eyes are involved.

Keep encouraging her to eat/drink. You could give her some poultry vitamins for a couple of days a week as well.

 

[JuChicks]

Do you know if they ever recover from those traumas? I am giving her electrolytes and some vitamins to boost her energy.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you know if they ever recover from those traumas? I am giving her electrolytes and some vitamins to boost her energy.

Some birds can recover nicely, it all depends on the damage/injury.

She will need your supportive care for a while to help her out. Make sure she's drinking and eating. Secure the housing to ensure another attack can't happen.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Hey guys, this is my first time posting a thread so I hope I'm doing this right...

About 3 days ago, my coop was raided by some sort of animal, probably a cat. It took 2 of my chickens and left 1 in pretty bad shape. She isn't in bad shape as in losing all her feathers or scratches everywhere. In fact, after checking her over, I found absolutely no scratch marks or anything! However, she had her eyes shut and wasn't moving much at all. I tried feeding her and giving her water but she didn't take anything. A day or two later, she partially opened one eye from time to time. Yesterday, she opened both most of the way, again, not all the time though. One eye (that she opened yesterday) is pretty dilated while the other has come back to almost normal dilation. She still fumbles around and doesn't move as much as before but she is taking food and water. I'm pretty sure that she can see somewhat because I sometimes catch her eating by herself and moving around the henhouse without bumping into things at all. I've been giving her electrolytes to give her as much energy as possible. She is still laying eggs.

Do you guys have any idea what might be wrong? Should I give her carrots (I'm pretty sure they help with eyesight)? Could it be chicken PTSD? Thanks for anything at all!

I remember reading somewhere on line, that chickens also go through a time of grief when they lose a flock mate. Sounds like she might have also gotten knocked around, or maybe ran into something pretty hard to get away from the thief. Hope she recovers soon, just love her up, sounds like you're doing all you can, that I know of. I'm new to all this myself.