Young chick grabbed by dog - fluffed up and very still - (SAD UPDATE)

[mariel37]

My dog grabbed a young chick - about 6 weeks old - in his mouth. I grabbed him, and he dropped her.

Since the attack, she has been lopsided, holding her right wing downward a little. Carefully lifting her wing, I saw deep puncture wounds on the body. I applied thick Neosporin and separated her from the flock last night.

Today she didn't look well. She is all fluffed up and very still, closing her eyes and her tail is down.

Checking on the flock in the run, she was that way most of the time. I did see her eating at one point, but she was fluffed and very still most of the day.

We separated her again tonight.

This is my first experience with chickens. I know dogs and horses, but chickens I'm learning! I am really worried about her, but don't know what else to do.

How can I tell if the wing is broken? I am reluctant to try to move it upwards lest I make things worse.

Experienced best thoughts appreciated!

 

[mulewagon]

Unfortunately, in my limited experience, when the chick is acting like that, it's badly injured. I tried to nurse one like that for several days, but finally had to put it down. Sorry...

 

[mariel37]

That's what I'm afraid of - she is one of my two Gold Wyandottes ...

I wonder if my dog/cat vet knows anything about birds?

 

[spiritdance]

It may simply be bruised up. Just like us, they can feel banged up after an event like that. If it's eating, drinking, and breathing normally, I wouldn't be too hasty to put it down.

 

[mariel37]

That's a last resort, for sure.

My concern is the constant "fluffed up" status. What does that mean - they are hurt? Shock? That's telling me something and I don't know what it is.

She isn't cold - I have owned large birds in my past (Mullican, amazons) and know that kind of fluffing of feathers - this isn't it.

 

[the1honeycomb]

I had a young chick that my flock was attacked she lived. she did the same thing, I had to relocate her leg and she limps but she took awhile to feel better, I lost 4 other chicks to the neighbors dog, My point is don't give up on her even if she has a bad wing and the emotional trauma she may spring back I alwasy made shure she had wet cat food for the extrra protein andkept her with the flock she is my best layer now
Best of luck

 

[mariel37]

And hopefully, she will be able to bring her wing up as she heals. i just hate that she's in pain - she obviously is and I don't like not being able to do anything about it.

 

[Sjisty]

Hi - Good luck with your little chick!

Can you keep her separate for a few days? The others will pick on her and may kill her. I would put her in a brooder with a little extra warmth. Give her whatever she will eat and fresh water.

It's amazing what chickens can recover from, given a little time. She is probably very sore from the punctures which may be why she is holding her wing "funny."

One thing I have found - neosporin and other "ointments" can also stick down feathers that may irritate sore areas. I have had two chickens attacked by dogs. I would soak her in a warm tub of water and diluted betadine (you can get it at your feed store cheaper than the drug store). That way the betadine can get into the wounds and maybe some others that are hidden under the feathers.

 

[mariel37]

Soak my chicken?

Okay. I'm better now. That just sounded funny to me.

I have betadine - having a herd of 8 horses, I have everything imaginable there.

I will pull her closer to the heat lamp - but it's hot and humid here in Florida, I didn't want to overheat her on top of everything else!

She is separated overnight. We put everybody out in the run (the coop isn't built yet) during the day, and bring them back into their tubs at night in our garage. I was watching, and so far, no other chick has been ugly to her, albeit the typical running over each they tend to do normally. (What's with that? LOL)

No one will go outside today as we expect thunderstorms at some point.

= = = = =

Everyone's sharing of experience is appreciated! Thank you - you are all good eggs.

 

[Sjisty]

LOL - keep her head above water!

It is pretty humid today. We are expecting rain here in central Fla today - hopefully a gentle rain this time! As long as she has room to get away from the heat lamp if she gets too hot, she should be okay.

By the way, even my adult chickens enjoy a good soak occasionally!