The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I just need a minute to collect my thoughts here. It seems nature has decided to take care of my pecking order on its own. I was looking out the window today and saw a red fox. I ran out with the dogs yelling like fool. The fox disappeared into the woods as I looked around for my chickens. The rooster lay in the middle of the yard not moving. I feared the worst, but then as I kneeled down beside him he tried to lift his head. I checked him out, no wounds, multiple feathers missing on his back. But he's not able to lift his head completely. He stood halfway up, but kept his head to the ground. I brought him into the run to rest and then I went to find the ladies. Abby was in the coop hiding as usual. And I found one hen in the pines along the property line. It took her awhile to come to me, but all are safely in the run now. The rooster walked to the corner of the run, with his head down. I've put him in the hospital carrier inside the run. I'm hoping his neck isn't broken. I have a sick feeling that he's not going to make it and that I'm only prolonging the inevitable.

oh man, that's horrible, I'm glad you were there to stop it though. So are they all accounted for? I think if your roosters neck was broken he should be dead, perhaps sprained or muscle damage. Rest and time for him, as well as some TLC, hopefully he gets better.

 

[galefrances]

oh man, that's horrible, I'm glad you were there to stop it though. So are they all accounted for? I think if your roosters neck was broken he should be dead, perhaps sprained or muscle damage. Rest and time for him, as well as some TLC, hopefully he gets better.

No, it looks like the fox got my blue copper maran. My Delaware I found in the pines on my neighbors property. It took me over an hour to coax her back to the run. She's missing some feathers on her neck, but I'll have to wait till she goes to roost to check her. She's pretty traumatized by the whole event. The other two girls have settled down. I don't know about my roo. He's moving around in the crate, but he keeps the top of his head on the ground. It's a rather odd position. I hope you're right and it's only a sprain. His wings and feet move fine so he's okay neurologically, I think, so that's positive. I'll keep you posted.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you have a plan as far as the Fox? Or do you just have to keep your chickens locked up. I'd be pretty mad. He will probably come back so be prepared. That is strange with his neck. I wouldn't mess with it too much as I'd be afraid I would hurt him more. So much sadder that you only had a couple of chickens too.

 

[lazy gardener]

Do you have any Poultry Nutri Drench? It's my go to to help birds that need a little help. YOu could also give them some electrolytes. Are you in a no shoot zone? Is that an option for you???

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The broody got her first outing with her chicks, and the large breed group went outside while the brooder was cleaned today, they were not impressed.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@galefrances
Wow. So sorry to hear your situation. Are you able to pick up the roo carefully and examine his neck? Is it possible there is a laceration on the throat side that he's trying to keep closed?

 

[galefrances]

I'm sorry I don't know how to do multiple quotes so :

@ oldhenlikesdogs- my neighbor has a gun and he'll be on the look out for the fox. In the meantime I have them secured in the run as I know this fox isn't going to give up. I don't understand why it's after my flock when there are plenty of rabbits around. And why during the day? It's not like there's a shortage of food. I've had chickens for four years and have never had a problem until now. My neighbor just commented what smart chickens I have because he saw how the roo sounded the warning and all the hens scattered for shelter when the Hawks would fly over.

@ lazy gardener- I don't have the poultry drench, but I did put electrolytes in the water. We do have the option of shooting. My neighbor is on the lookout for us.

@ Leah's mom- I didn't think of his throat. There wasn't any obvious blood. At first his eyes were closed and I thought he was just stunned, but even though he started walking around he still kept the top of his head on the ground. I just came in from checking him and no change. He lifts his head up part way, but just briefly. I'll give him a more thorough exam in the morning.


On a positive note! When I went out to bring the food in and check on the injured my husband heard a squawking near the coop. After searching we found the blue copper maran under the pine tree!! She's has multiple wounds on her back. That darn fox ripped her open. I cleaned them up the best I could and put dressings on until I can figure out how to close them up. I tried butterflies,but they won't stick and honestly she needs to be loosely sutured. I know they'll heal eventually, but she's going to have some nasty scar tissue. Her skin is open about 4cm X 2cm and another about 3cm X 2cm. Those are the worst. The others are puncture wounds.

If these chickens survive this it will be a miracle. My rooster fought to save his girls. I pray they make it.

 

[lazy gardener]

I hope you keep a gun handy. Wonder if you can bait that fox with some road kill? What about calling your local animal control for assistance? Any trappers in your area? That might be an other option, but you'd need to be sure that pet animals wouldn't be targeted. That would be my last option.

 

[galefrances]

I hope you keep a gun handy.  Wonder if you can bait that fox with some road kill?  What about calling your local animal control for assistance?  Any trappers in your area?  That might be an other option, but you'd need to be sure that pet animals wouldn't be targeted.  That would be my last option.  

I thought about calling animal control. I'll call and see what they say, My husband is going to have to buy a gun, he just got out of the hospital and he hasn't hunted in years. My neighbor is watching for us. He has a gun,


Update: the rooster and the maran are alive this morning, I honestly don't know if I'm doing the right thing. The maran just lays on her side. I'm not sure what's wrong. When I put her down she flops to her left side. I'm giving both of them water with electrolytes with a syringe. Neither has been drinking on their own, i checked the roosters neck and there's no laceration. I don't feel anything wrong other than he can't hold his head up. I have each separated in their own hospital carrier and they are inside the run where they can see the other hens. They both let me hold them. That is a first! I'll give them a few days to see if there is any improvement. I've tried not to be attached to my chickens, but my heart is heavy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I thought about calling animal control. I'll call and see what they say, My husband is going to have to buy a gun, he just got out of the hospital and he hasn't hunted in years. My neighbor is watching for us. He has a gun,


Update: the rooster and the maran are alive this morning, I honestly don't know if I'm doing the right thing. The maran just lays on her side. I'm not sure what's wrong. When I put her down she flops to her left side. I'm giving both of them water with electrolytes with a syringe. Neither has been drinking on their own, i checked the roosters neck and there's no laceration. I don't feel anything wrong other than he can't hold his head up. I have each separated in their own hospital carrier and they are inside the run where they can see the other hens. They both let me hold them. That is a first! I'll give them a few days to see if there is any improvement. I've tried not to be attached to my chickens, but my heart is heavy.

I've had birds heal up from some nasty wounds, the first few days they are in shock and will just lay around, it can take up to a week before they start to perk up.

When my boxer dog was younger she mangled a few birds pretty bad, but after resting they all healed up after a few weeks. I would mostly leave them alone and wait to see, keep them warm enough and comfortable.

I believe you can give them some aspirin for pain and swelling but am unsure how much or how, so maybe do a search of this site because I believe I read it on here.