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

[Henry&Friends]

I can try but nobody's available to help me at the moment and I'm afraid that I'll accidentally injure her further while cutting the feathers.

If you trim slowly, I think you’ll be okay. You can hold her head still by having her beak between your pointer and middle fingers, upwards from the neck. Hold gently, but firm enough that she doesn’t jerk out of your grasp. I’m going AFK for an hour or so, but I think she’ll be okay. Try to stay calm.

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

You can sure corn starch if you don't have stypix to stop the bleeding and let it start clotting. will help until someone else is there to assist you.

Ok, thank you so much I'll try that

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think she is too stressed to eat right now and anything you do is going to stress her out more. Do you have a dog crate you can put her in and cover it with a towel so it's fairly dark? I would leave her alone for about half an hour and then do as the others have suggested. Rinse gently with warm saline (not peroxide), try to get an idea of the extent of the injuries, use neosporine that does not have anything in it for pain, and let her rest in a warm place. Water with Nutri-drench or electrolytes is good, but aspirin will make the water bitter and she won't drink it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@casportpony is really good with injuries. So is @WVduckchick.

ETA: They may have additional suggestions.

 

[It_is_I_Rae]

I think she is too stressed to eat right now and anything you do is going to stress her out more. Do you have a dog crate you can put her in and cover it with a towel so it's fairly dark? I would leave her alone for about half an hour and then do as the others have suggested. Rinse gently with warm saline (not peroxide), try to get an idea of the extent of the injuries, use neosporine that does not have anything in it for pain, and let her rest in a warm place. Water with Nutri-drench or electrolytes is good, but aspirin will make the water bitter and she won't drink it.

Currently she's sitting in a box and it's not dark but it's not bright either. Unfortunately i don't have any neosporin or electrolyte water so I can't do that

 

[slordaz]

most important after cleaning and getting the bleeding stopped is to get her drinking and keeping flies away from her , a hen is usually put in isolation to keep the others from pecking at it. my rooster when this happened took about 6 weeks to recover but he wasn't happy away from the girls he almost gave his life protecting. Said Predator was dispatched. once she is stable see what you need to do to reinforce your coop p against attacks on your hens. and the guys are usually good at helping with that as i'm not the builder type.

@azygous
@aart

 

[Eggcessive]

If they seem in shock, and not actively bleeding, leave them alone for a bit in a basket or dog crate. Can you get some supplies at a feed or grocery store? Vetericyn Wound Sray is good and easy to use, but saline is fine. Hibiclens with a little water is inexpensive—about $6 at Walmart, and probably the best to clean wounds and rinse twice a day. Plain old Neosporin or generic Triple Antibiotic Ointment is necessary to put on the wounds twice a day. Peroxide should not be used, at least more than once, since it prevents healing.

That is about it, just make sure they can reach food and water, and if they are not seeing those, feed them several times a day. The more severely hurt one may need to be fed out of a small bowl some wet chicken feed made like oatmeal with lots of water. Scrambled egg bits, tuna or salmon, or canned cat food are also good to feed if not taking the wet feed.

Most wounds will heal, but if eyes or organs are pierced, or if they were squeezed, their could be internal injuries. Good luck.

 

[EggWalrus]

You can sure corn starch if you don't have stypix to stop the bleeding and let it start clotting. will help until someone else is there to assist you.

If you don't have corn starch, you can use flour in a pinch. I've used for several times when cutting combs/wattles, and haven't had a problem with using flour yet.
Good luck!

 

[azygous]

Uncontrolled bleeding in an injured chicken is very rare so it's really not an issue. Styptic bleeding control stuff is toxic to chickens. Use flour or corn starch in bleeding comb or foot wounds, usually the only kind that can be an issue.

Shock is a very real issue following a predator attack. Electrolytes should be given to counter this stress and shock. Here is an easy electrolyte recipe.

You can make your own electrolytes.

1/2 cup hot water 1/2 tsp salt 1'2 tsp baking soda 1tsp jello powder and 1 1/2 tlbs sugar Mix and then combine with 3 1/2 cups cold water.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Any updates?