URGENT: predator got in coop, killed 2 chickens and injured 2 others

[glassdragonfly]

Good news! Spunk is always a good sign!

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

Update: She's doing pretty good, behaviorally. She's now eating on her own and I don't have to force feed her. However, I do have some concerns. The previously infected wound, while I don't think it's infected anymore, is starting to peel off and there is raw skin/tissue underneath and I'm not sure what to do about it. Also, her eye isn't doing too well and I think she got some debris in it. Also, she's losing feathers on her face. Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[Morrigan]

I was wondering how she was doing. It's good to hear that she's eating and acting herself again.

Would it be possible to post some pictures of her injury? Hopefully what you are seeing is part of the healing process, but I'm just not sure.

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

Here are some pictures. They're not very good but hopefully they will give you an idea of what I was talking about. Also, I just want to clarify again, the shiny gel stuff is neosporin, not pus.

 

[CindyinSD]

Update: She's doing pretty good, behaviorally. She's now eating on her own and I don't have to force feed her. However, I do have some concerns. The previously infected wound, while I don't think it's infected anymore, is starting to peel off and there is raw skin/tissue underneath and I'm not sure what to do about it. Also, her eye isn't doing too well and I think she got some debris in it. Also, she's losing feathers on her face. Any suggestions on what to do?

That’s great news! Good job! This is what I would do (but I am no expert—it’s literally just what I’d do because I’m up for trying what sounds good to me):

1. I would spray blucote on the wound, using a rag to shield the parts of her I don’t want sprayed. I would also use rubber gloves on both hands because last time I didn’t do that.
2. I would add a few drops of my best, most natural honey to a Tbsp or two of rose water, mix well until dissolved. (I happened to have some rose water ice cubes from making rose jelly, but I think you can find it at a health food store or fancy cooking store. If you can’t, just use water, but I think the rose water probably helps.) With an eye dropper, put a few drops in her sore eye several times a day. This worked for me on a duck with infected eyes when nothing (including commercial meds) worked at all. I was jazzed. After the first drops his eyes were significantly less matted and they cleared up by the next evening.
3. I’ve had this feather loss happen when a hen has suffered pecking to her head. I think it’s just part of the healing process, but it wouldn’t hurt to wash the area. If you have comfrey (root or leaf), you could make a strong tea by soaking a teaspoon or so of comfrey in enough water to cover. Strain off the water after ~10 minutes and use it to daub the area. If you don’t have comfrey, just use some of the eye drops. Be careful not to contaminate them.

The feathers will grow back, but it will take a while. Make sure she’s eating enough protein. A scrambled egg fried in a healthy natural fat will give her lots of the protein and calories she’ll need to heal up.

Congrats on your most excellent nursing/doctoring care!​

 

[CindyinSD]

I just saw the pics. I think the skin needs to dry off a bit. You might consider patting off some of the ointment with a soft cotton cloth (think old t-shirt).

 

[CindyinSD]

Also, She could have ointment in her eye. If you dab it thoroughly, especially around her eye. It will clear out after a while. I’ve had ointment in my eye like that and it does take an hour or so, at least for humans. It’s not like you put it in on purpose, but your skin warms and thins it, then it drips into your eyes.

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

That’s great news! Good job! This is what I would do (but I am no expert—it’s literally just what I’d do because I’m up for trying what sounds good to me):

1. I would spray blucote on the wound, using a rag to shield the parts of her I don’t want sprayed. I would also use rubber gloves on both hands because last time I didn’t do that.
2. I would add a few drops of my best, most natural honey to a Tbsp or two of rose water, mix well until dissolved. (I happened to have some rose water ice cubes from making rose jelly, but I think you can find it at a health food store or fancy cooking store. If you can’t, just use water, but I think the rose water probably helps.) With an eye dropper, put a few drops in her sore eye several times a day. This worked for me on a duck with infected eyes when nothing (including commercial meds) worked at all. I was jazzed. After the first drops his eyes were significantly less matted and they cleared up by the next evening.
3. I’ve had this feather loss happen when a hen has suffered pecking to her head. I think it’s just part of the healing process, but it wouldn’t hurt to wash the area. If you have comfrey (root or leaf), you could make a strong tea by soaking a teaspoon or so of comfrey in enough water to cover. Strain off the water after ~10 minutes and use it to daub the area. If you don’t have comfrey, just use some of the eye drops. Be careful not to contaminate them.

The feathers will grow back, but it will take a while. Make sure she’s eating enough protein. A scrambled egg fried in a healthy natural fat will give her lots of the protein and calories she’ll need to heal up.

Congrats on your most excellent nursing/doctoring care!​

Thank you! I unfortunately don't have any bluecote or rose water, but I can possibly try mixing honey with just regular water like you suggested.

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

I just saw the pics. I think the skin needs to dry off a bit. You might consider patting off some of the ointment with a soft cotton cloth (think old t-shirt).

Okay, I'll do that

 

[CindyinSD]

Next time you go to the farm store you should pick up some blucote. It’s pricey but it doesn’t take much and it’s seriously handy to have around. It’s antiseptic plus it disguises bloody boo-boos so they don’t get pecked—and the blue color stays. (Which is why you want the gloves.)