South Carolina

[RockerHen]

I have put neosporin on it and colloidal silver ointment. He's come to a couple times, freaks out a little (seems extremely disoriented, and quickly passes back out. I'm not going to check on him again for a bit b/c it seems to upset him more. I'll wait a few hours and see if he gets on his feet. Thank you, everybody, he is FAR from out of the woods, but we've seen glimpses of hope!!

It's possible he has brain damage. Does he have a vaulted skull (did he have a lump on his head) as a chick? They are more sensitive to trauma and damage to the back of the head, as their skull doesn't completely cover their brain. I've had a silkie cross (with a vaulted skull) who was 4 months old and was attacked by a wyandotte rooster, and a peck to the back of the head killed him instantly. I've also had a silkie rooster who was knocked on the back of the head by an easter egger's wing and it gave him a concussion. Another silkie I had suffered a head injury and now bobs her head to the side uncontrollably after she sneezes. The electrolyte water should definitely help with the healing. Keep him as still and calm as possible, and in a quiet darkened room.

 

[Sunshinejammer]

It's possible he has brain damage. Does he have a vaulted skull (did he have a lump on his head) as a chick? They are more sensitive to trauma and damage to the back of the head, as their skull doesn't completely cover their brain. I've had a silkie cross (with a vaulted skull) who was 4 months old and was attacked by a wyandotte rooster, and a peck to the back of the head killed him instantly. I've also had a silkie rooster who was knocked on the back of the head by an easter egger's wing and it gave him a concussion. Another silkie I had suffered a head injury and now bobs her head to the side uncontrollably after she sneezes. The electrolyte water should definitely help with the healing. Keep him as still and calm as possible, and in a quiet darkened room.

He does have a vaulted skull. Praying, if he makes it, he's not permanently damaged. We are doing exactly that (calm, dark, warm room).

 

[RedBugPoultry]

He does have a vaulted skull. Praying, if he makes it, he's not permanently damaged. We are doing exactly that (calm, dark, warm room).

Here's hoping and thinking really positive thoughts!

 

[mjanderson437]

Sunshine, wishing your roo a speedy and complete recovery.

On a lighter note, check out our new rooster from TSC :

 

[Avonshire]

Chicken troubles can be so traummatic for everyone involved. I hope he recovers! It always sseems to be the favorite! My first chicken that we ever lost was our favorite. That was in the summer and we still have not recovered!

Mjanderson I do believe that may be the cutest roo i have ever seen!!!

 

[KrisH]

URGENT PLEASE HELP!!! We have had a terribly devastating turn of events here today. Even though I've told them NEVER to play in the coop, my little boys (age 8 and 6) went in the coop and left the door between the Orpington & Silkies open. All of my birds are about about 3-4 months old. My little black Silkie Rooster "Meany" (The head of his lil young flock) is now hanging on to life by a thread. He's got a large bare/bloody patch where they have plucked his feathers out on the back of his head. He was just lying in the pine chips, he looked dead when I found him, it was all so traumatic, I believe one of the Orpingtons (BIG & HEAVY Roo) may have even been standing on him I can't recall. I don't know what to do. I don't believe his neck is broken (a miracle looking at his condition). He is breathing very shallow & moving a little. He may have internal injuries? What should I do now? I have a quarantine carrier I can put him in. Right now he is just being held by my oldest son (12) as the Silkies are his flock. Should I clean the wound up now while he's out of it, hoping by the time he might gain his strength back that it won't be infected or will this just stress him out further & cause him to die? Is there any hope for him? Should I just put him out of his misery?

He's my favorite rooster. He's not mean. He was named that b/c as a small chick he was a bit of a bully to the others. He grew out of that, but was definitely the leader of his flock & was defending his family in this situation. All the other silkie roos (3 others in the young flock) are just fine. We're just heartbroken for our brave lil guy.

This is our first experience with chickens. Please, any advice would be appreciated. It goes without saying the little boys have learned a very hard lesson today & will be dealt with accordingly.

How is he this morning?

RobertH

 

[Avonshire]

Yes please update us ... I hope that e is doing better this morning. I had some attacked by dogs--one that the dog dropped when I yelled at her and the hen is now laying eggs for me daily! They are resilient. However my silkies I have not as much good luck. I do know my silkie roo and my BLRW roo got out together the other day and I had to break up their fight. I am glad I was there to stop it--the silkie roo had no idea he was sooo out sized! They have big hearts!!

Did I ever share my baby pictures? I know I tried once. OK so we hatched one BO/BLRW mix and on D'anver(thanks Robert and Kris) and I bought an EE(labeled as an Americana) and a blue silkie. I am also including my Cuckoo maran pictures--anyone want a rooster cuckoo maran??? I have 2(I think based on color and comb)!

 

[Sunshinejammer]

How is he this morning?

RobertH

He is sitting up a little. Very out of it. Won't eat or drink on his own. Still giving him drops of electrolyte water with a syringe. He did poop & he had relocated a bit in his cage. Every once In awhile he'll come to, even get on his feet, but he flails & flaps around in freak out mode, back into shock so I just try to disturb him as little as possible, but I don't want him to dehydrate. It's a waiting game at this point. Idk how long he can hang on like this. Idk how much longer it's humane to let him do so. I want to have hope for him but I don't want to prolong his suffering if there isn't any. He was my first crower. So sad not to hear it this morning. And yes, Avonshire, he's very big hearted... Small but mighty. I'm sure he never backed down until he had nothing left.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

He is sitting up a little. Very out of it. Won't eat or drink on his own. Still giving him drops of electrolyte water with a syringe. He did poop & he had relocated a bit in his cage. Every once In awhile he'll come to, even get on his feet, but he flails & flaps around in freak out mode, back into shock so I just try to disturb him as little as possible, but I don't want him to dehydrate. It's a waiting game at this point. Idk how long he can hang on like this. Idk how much longer it's humane to let him do so. I want to have hope for him but I don't want to prolong his suffering if there isn't any. He was my first crower. So sad not to hear it this morning.

And yes, Avonshire, he's very big hearted... Small but mighty. I'm sure he never backed down until he had nothing left.

Just got on and had hoped for a little better news. I am really sorry he is still having problems. I would give him at least one more day and see how he is tomorrow.... My finger are still crossed for him!

 

[Sunshinejammer]

Just got on and had hoped for a little better news. I am really sorry he is still having problems. I would give him at least one more day and see how he is tomorrow.... My finger are still crossed for him!

Thank you so much. Sure wish I had better news to give. He can stand on his own now, but he just stands there. He's still not taking any food or water on his own. How much water should I be giving him? I have just been going in there about every 2-4 hours and giving him as much as he'll let me of the electrolytes in a syringe. I'm not forcing him, he accepts it & takes usually at least 3 ml. And he clucks a lil, Thank you all so much for your concern & help. It feels like a hug from an understanding friend.