- Apr 29, 2014
- 5
- 0
- 7
2 days ago my Precious Golden Wyandotte didn't come back to the coop at night. When she didn't return the following morning I was sure she was taken by preditors.
Today she was found tangled in some fencing. She is cold, wet (it has been raining for 2 days here and the nights have gotten down into the upper 40s) and the right wing is now featherless. I'm not sure if there is damage to the wing itelf (though there are some open wounds) as I have never seen a wing without feathers before. She drank water and is talking to me. We have her in a smaller container with a heat lamp on her.
I tried to get her to stand, but she stumbled and laid down again right away. I'm thinking she is exhausted from surviving for 2 nights and 2 days in the cold wet with potential preditors around.
Here are my questions:
1) How do I tell if there are missing wing parts?
2) How long does it take to regrow wing feathers...and without them will she be able to keep herself warm as the temps continue to drop?
3) Do I need to wait until she is fully recovered before reintroducing her to the flock? Will they pick on her because she is weaker?
4) If there are missing wing parts, will she be able to keep her balance (eventually) and move around "normally"? I know that without equal "wings" she won't be able to fly.
Any feed back on helping her recover or what I can expect would be greatly appreciated. If I could figure out how to add a photo of the injured wing I would... the "paperclip" seems be hiding from me.
Winnie and I appreciate your help and feedback.
Today she was found tangled in some fencing. She is cold, wet (it has been raining for 2 days here and the nights have gotten down into the upper 40s) and the right wing is now featherless. I'm not sure if there is damage to the wing itelf (though there are some open wounds) as I have never seen a wing without feathers before. She drank water and is talking to me. We have her in a smaller container with a heat lamp on her.
I tried to get her to stand, but she stumbled and laid down again right away. I'm thinking she is exhausted from surviving for 2 nights and 2 days in the cold wet with potential preditors around.
Here are my questions:
1) How do I tell if there are missing wing parts?
2) How long does it take to regrow wing feathers...and without them will she be able to keep herself warm as the temps continue to drop?
3) Do I need to wait until she is fully recovered before reintroducing her to the flock? Will they pick on her because she is weaker?
4) If there are missing wing parts, will she be able to keep her balance (eventually) and move around "normally"? I know that without equal "wings" she won't be able to fly.
Any feed back on helping her recover or what I can expect would be greatly appreciated. If I could figure out how to add a photo of the injured wing I would... the "paperclip" seems be hiding from me.
Winnie and I appreciate your help and feedback.