We just heard a commotion in the backyard and found a squirrel in the brooder cage in our chicken run. The chicks (about 4 weeks old) were all piled up and panicked. I let them out to get away from the squirrel and they all fled but one who was bleeding. My daughter wrapped it in a towel and held it while I moved the cage to the porch and got them settled.
I put the injured chick in a box with shreded paper and some water and covered it with a towel and put it in a dark, warm room. I wiped some of the blood off with a damp paper towel. She is holding her wing out funny (or it is broken) up near the top but is not bleeding too much. I can't tell if it is bit or scratch or what.
I just want her to rest but want to know if there is anything else I should be doing. I feel terrible and even though I know this is the reality of chicken keeping it is so sad. I have never even seen a squirrel in our (urban) yard.
Any advice on helping her heal, or knowing that she won't is much appreciated.
Also, how do you deter squirrels? The gage on the brooder cage wire is pretty narrow--so idea how it got in so not sure how to keep it out!!
I put the injured chick in a box with shreded paper and some water and covered it with a towel and put it in a dark, warm room. I wiped some of the blood off with a damp paper towel. She is holding her wing out funny (or it is broken) up near the top but is not bleeding too much. I can't tell if it is bit or scratch or what.
I just want her to rest but want to know if there is anything else I should be doing. I feel terrible and even though I know this is the reality of chicken keeping it is so sad. I have never even seen a squirrel in our (urban) yard.
Any advice on helping her heal, or knowing that she won't is much appreciated.
Also, how do you deter squirrels? The gage on the brooder cage wire is pretty narrow--so idea how it got in so not sure how to keep it out!!
