The Poultry Keeper

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

The kids just went out to put the girls away for the night and one of them has been attacked. Our dog ran out whilst we were having dinner and I said then that I hoped there wasn't a fox. She seems ok but has a 1cm puncture wound on her back, I've bathed it in salty water and put a dab of sudocreme on it and put her in our big cat box on some straw for the night. Is there anything else I should do for her, I've got her indoors nice and quiet, the others are all fine and in the hen house now. I can't find another puncture wound anywhere but will look again in the morning.

Please reply and let me know what else I should do.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2041 Location: norfolk

You've done the right thing. It's just time and the hen's constitution now. Shock is the biggest killer and warm and dark is as good a way of combatting it as anything. Have a look tomorrow and if she is still alive (sorry, but she may no be) spoil her and keep her separate if she still seems a bit weak. Make sure her wound can't be seen by the other chickens.

Stujan · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 444 Location: East Sussex

A cotton bud dipped in savlon dabbed on her might stop an infection , keep the wound well aired and good luck, but I have to say be prepared !!
Changes your mind about cute foxes doesn't it!

Scoop · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Somerset

The homeopathic cream Hypercal is excellent for wounds - but I agree with kated, a dark box in a warm quiet room is the best you can do at this stage. Maybe put some Bachs Rescue Remedy in her water, too, to combat the shock. Do you have any 'purple spray' at hand? Not sure of the proper name for it, something violet I think, but it's available at most poultry suppliers. Fingers crossed for you.

Teasal · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

I have had hens attacked by dogs and a lot of feathers ripped out. After a nights rest in a quiet place, they were much better ,so fingers crossed for you hen that she will recover. The problem is they can easily die of shock, although my hens were definitely traumatised by the attack, but survived.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

She should be ok, we had a hen which had its wing half bitten off by a fox (through the chicken wire) and it healed miraculously! she now walks around perefectly happy with a bit of bone poking out where her wing should be haha.

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

Thanks everyone. She's in the cat carrier which is quite big, well she can turn round in it anyway, with some straw. Its in the hall in the dark. I pray she is ok and I'm hoping that if she stays alive tonight she will be ok. Shes only about 8 months old and quite a strong girl so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

Well she made it through the night and seems a lot more like herself this morning, she's eaten a hearty breakfast and drank lots of water but I'm keeping her in the cat box in the dark to give her a good rest.

Autumn · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 486 Location: Suffolk

Yay!!

Teasal · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

Thats good news. I am sure she will perk up now she has got over the shock, poor girl.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1277 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Glad to hear she's ok. My LS suffered bad bites from a fox last week, her back was badly ripped on one side with just one big wound on the other. I cleaned as you did and put her back in with the others and she's fine now. In fact, she's better than she's been in a long time, much bossier and perkier!!! No idea what was in the Fox saliva but it's done her a world of good.

Seriously though, I'd give her back another clean, wait for it to dry & then stick her back in with her friends. As long as there's no pecking she'll be ok!

Katiequiggle · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Surrey

Thanks for your replies. I did as you said and put her back with the others on the 3rd day and she's fine, no hobbling, completly normal in fact I have to ask the kids which one of them it was. How come they know each one so well Very Happy