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

[Judy]

I have one who was grabbed by a coyote maybe 2 months ago (seen by a neighbor, too far to do anything.) I found her laid out on her side, looking dead til I got close and saw she was breathing heavily. I picked her up, expecting to have to cull. Immediately she stretched out her neck and looked around, so I set her on her legs and she walked, albeit slowly and unevenly. Superficially she had only a few minor scrapes, no puncture wounds. Obviously there was more internally, though. She limped for a month and spent her days standing or sitting around. She has slept in a low nest box since, instead of getting on the roost; I haven't interfered with this. During the first two weeks she somehow got onto her side a few times, and apparently couldn't right herself, but walked away when I picked her up and set her down on her feet. Now, other than the nest sleeping, she acts normal.

Just one story of how well they heal, hoping to give a little cheer.

 

[mariel37]

Thank you.

 

[mariel37]

UPDATE: 4 days post attack

"Presently Unnamed Chick" is still being very quiet and we are keeping her separated from everybody.

She only lays there, and is fluffed out and flat as a pancake! I am amazed at how flat and spread out she can be - like a flounder!

I have been putting the waterer and feeder right in front of her beak, so she just has to tip her head and she can eat and drink. I don't think she was getting up to do that herself.

I just read on this forum about putting Chicken Saver into the water for electrolytes, which I just did. She drank and drank and drank.

Unnamed Chick is still just laying there and looks like she's sleeping a lot. When I pick her up to move her from the wheelbarrow where we have her separated, into the fenced off portion of the run (our coop isn't built yet) she does the chicken distress chirping, then quiets. I hope I am not hurting her by moving her, but I think sunshine and fresh air is important for her healing.

I would add a picture here so the more experienced chickeners (what do we call people who raise chickens?) can see her, but don't see a link on this post to be able to do that.

 

[mariel37]

UPDATE: one week since attack

"Unnamed Chick" is still laying there and not moving. Last night I ran her backend under warm water since she isn't moving and poo is collecting at her back end.

I am not certain she's even eating or drinking now, to be honest.

Not sure if she's resting and healing, or if she's just waiting to die or what ... ?? Her head is very still and I have the waterer and feeder right up at her cheeks so she can get it.

When I pick her up, she keeps her feet curled under her body.

This is when it would be great if they had a ticker tape that would print out what the heck is the issue and what does she want me to do for her!

 

[ScotianChick]

Let her soak in the bath a little, not too hot though and get all the gunk off of her. Give her some scrambled eggs, they might pep her up a bit.

I had two hens injured by a rooster, one had a huge gash in her side and it really could have been stitched up if I had the balls to do such a thing but I washed them up with iodine and kept polysporin on them. They healed but it took a long time.

 

[mariel37]

I can try the scrambled eggs again. Because I read on here the other day that people feed protein this way, I dutifully went about it.

She didn't touch it.

This morning I saw her flopping her left wing out and sort of tipping over a little - she did this a couple times and I'm not sure if she's adjusting herself, moving because she hasn't, or what. She did manage to turn herself about 1/4 turn.


YESTERDAY: had her out in the warmth and fresh air (behind two wire barriers so the others wouldn't peck at her) and she was very still.

I picked her up and looked underneath - her legs were curled up underneath tightly. I gently pulled her legs down, and her right foot was all gnarled up and not with her toes straight out. Don't know if that means anything, but her right side is the side where her injuries appear to be.

After the attack a week ago, she DID walk around that day.

 

[mariel37]

Well ... sad update: this morning, found sweet chick not amongst us any more.

She seemed to have been more alert yesterday, "talking" to me a lot as I would hold her or give her yogurt or take her outside for fresh air.

Checking on her before I went to bed last night, it did take a close look to see her breathing ... maybe I had an inkling then ...

 

[definetlydeb]

So sorry for your loss

 

[schellie69]

so sorry for your loss.

 

[mariel37]

Thanks everybody. In some ways, I am kind of relieved. I didn't want her to suffer (even though it's been a week but she didn't seem to be in pain except she slept alot) and if she wasn't going to be viable in the long run, am glad she passed quietly.