Wounded Blind Chicken

[Aylala88]

I don't know what happened for sure but I think my male goose attacked my poor chicken, "Broken Toe." She was the leader of the chicken pack and has one broken looking sideways toe. The other day I went to lock up my chicky mamas and my gander as it was getting dark and she was missing. My husband and I grabbed the flashlights to hunt for her. My chickens are free range for the most part. We didn't find her and after a day or so had passed we sort of wrote her off figuring something got her. Yesterday hubby came home and said there was 5 chickens in the yard and I ran out to check. I had just been out there for over an hour doing yard work and talking to them. I hadn't seen her. Anyway she was there and was beat to heck. Wounds tore open on her neck and part of her comb was missing. She also can't seem to open her eyes anymore. They aren't swollen but she keeps them closed. This has to be day four or her injuries. I was surprised she made it through the night. I washed her wounds and covered them with a salve that's for horses, dogs, rabbits.... it mainly keeps the flies out.

I think the gander is responsible because I have seen him grab a chicken before only by the feathers and he would not let go... even when I intervened. He had a mate and she died... He is not aggressive to people but will his at the dogs and cat. I guess my question is what are the odds she will make it? I am sure if she lives she will be blind. If she hasn't ate since she got hurt wouldn't she be dead already? She has some spunk yet (didn't like the wound cleaning) but I have not seen her eat. I am no longer putting the goose in at night he wanders with the sheep herd.

Here is a pic. Keep in mind that's the salve not puss. It's hard to see. The swelling has gone down a lot over nite.

 

[sourland]

The recuperative powers of chickens are amazing. Keep the flies away from her wounds. Try to get her to drink - dip her beak in the water or give her water/electrolytes via a syringe. They can go a relatively long period without eating, but hydration is essential. When the swelling goes down, you may discover that her eyes have not been injured. Time for the gander to get either a new mate/home/living arrangements. Good luck.

 

[Aylala88]

I will attempt to get her to drink. The goose will have his own pen soon or get butchered if I can find someone willing. Right now I am just denying him access to the chicken pen.

 

[sourland]

Is your hen improving?

 

[Aylala88]

She perks right up to the sound of my voice. She accepts water from the syringe. She took a healthy poo so I think she is eating. She can open her right eye but it's watery and she doesn't keep it open long. I gave her a sort of bath in the sink today because her wounds had so much straw and yuck in them from her trying to hide... guessing to feel safe since she can't see. She didn't seem to mind. She seems so much better today. Her wounds don't look red or infected but I am keeping the salve on so the flies don't get in. She doesn't flinch anymore when I apply it. I think she's going to be okay. Might end up blind in one eye but alive.

 

[sourland]

Good update!

 

[Aylala88]

My little lady is doing just fine these days. I had some salve that is for a variety of animals (dogs, rabbits, etc). I put it on her head numerous times a day for a few weeks. She is still alive... she can see out of both eyes... and she is tamer than ever! The only downfall is she still has no feathers on the top of her head. Other than that she is happy and healthy as ever!