The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

I've got a young (8 week) rooster that is the only survivor from the fox attack last night (see pests and predators) since then he has not eaten anything or drank anything. I found him huddled in a corner of the garden when he was out of the coop and inside the coop run he did the same, found a corner and lay down.

I put the light sussex in with him in the hopes that they would perk him up but he is just stood at the back of the run with his eyes closed, the sussex aren't bothering him at all but he is just shell shocked, I don't know what to do with him or whether to cull him as that was his destiny anyway and I've got 6 others to do today.

it's so frustrating that the only one left from the fox attack was the only one that we weren't keeping.

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

I would say cull kitsune, it's a tough call but there will be many other cockerels - as you know it's a lot easier to grow them than hens!

CP · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject:

If you were going to keep him then some TLC would be needed but I agree with kated - cull him & put him out of his misery. Sad

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

Well he is separated in the outhouse now, I found a really nasty puncture wound on his back, small but deep - I don't know how he's not paralysed! He's not though and I'm going to see how he is in the morning.

He's got purple spray on the wound, garlic in the water and plenty of food. I thought about putting up a heat lamp in there and might actually bring him in overnight. Will see how he is in the morning.

I don't know why I'm resisting culling him now, since that will be his fate anyway...

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1282 Location: Dublin, Ireland

So shocked and sorry to read of the attack, poor you! Sad

Maybe the bit of tlc will sort him out, and then you'll be delighted you took the time. It's a lot to get your head around, I don't blame you for not wanting to cull him yet, it's been a rough day or two, and you both might benefit.
Best wishes!

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

Well he's still going, can't decide whether to call him 'lucky' or 'kiev' since the outhouse now smells like a garlic factory!

He's brighter now, cheeping away, eating and drinking. I brought him inside again last night as the temps dropped to below 5 deg. When the new coop is built I think I'm going to put him in the old coop with the female light sussex and just put the male light sussex in the new one. That way there will be be less chance of testosterone induced fighting but he'll still have some company.