The Poultry Keeper

abicon · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 9

Yesterday our new neighbor's dog got into our garden. Our birds free range in a usually secure environment but Lavender (guess what colour she is?) got caught and has lost a lot of feathers from her back with a fairly large wound. Surprisingly she survived the night and the vet cleaned her up today and gave her and injection of Baytril with me continuing to dose her from tomorrow. She is eating and drinking but not too steady on her feet. My questions are: How long should is the egg withdrawal period (vet suggests 28 days but not absolutely sure)? Should I put her back with the other girls (in which case how will I know which eggs are hers!)? Are the others likely to peck at her wound? She is eating and drinking and currently in a box in the shed to allow her to recover from her ordeal. Any suggestions as to how to rehabilitate her most welcome!

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Oh, please don't put her back in with the others just yet. Chickens are attracted to anything red color and they will peck her to death on the back after the blood and scabs.

Egg withdrawl is usually 14 days.

Give her acv in her water and some good nutrition such as bio-yogurt, to build her back up.

So sorry she got mauled. Sad

NannyP · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:19 pm Post subject:

If you do want to put her back, cover the wound with Stockholm Tar, this will prevent it being pecked.
What a shame she got mauled, hope she does okay Confused

Knobby · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject:

I had a chook mauled by a fox, she went str8 back in the pen.....stayed in the house for a few days, but was fine.....the other girls all kept going in to see her which was sweet !!!

Heather · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:

Awwww bless them !

Sorry to hear of the mauling, Abicon and hope Lavender is feeling back to her normal self soon

CP · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:29 pm Post subject:

Poor girl. I hope she's feeling better soon. Smile

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7339 Location: isle of lewis

poor girl i hope she's better soon ,
suz

Aussie Chick · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

ohh, thats awful. Pleased she made it to the vets. Lets hope the treatment will bring her back to full fitmess in no time.

Lisa · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: Mauled pekin

Sorry to hear of your ordeal - must have been stressful all round Confused

I have been told 7, 14 and 28 days (all by vets) for Baytril egg withdrawl period Rolling Eyes

Unfortunately I understand the longer term is the suggested withdrawl from the manufacturers in the UK.

The problem, AFAIK, is that there could be some residue of the antibiotic in the eggs. And if humans eat them, human bacteria could become resistant to the antibiotic. And it is one of, or related to one of the ones, used to treat MRSA in humans.

AFAIK that is the risk involved...

Personally I have eaten the eggs after 14 days and not worried. IMHO it would be wrong if I sold them, or if I was feeding them, or giving them, to anyone else - especially if there was any weakness in their immune system (very young, very old, compromised immune system etc).

Regard putting her back in with the others - I can thoroughly recommend Stockholm Tar. It is icky stuff, but like a paint on antiseptic sticky plaster! It is like trying to paint on treacle to use Laughing

(useful to have a cheap paint brush or a lolly stick or the like just for the job). As Deb said, its good to hide the red that most chickens are attracted to. Gentian Violet spray is another thing used, but in my experience, Stockholm Tar is better.

If you put her back in with the others, and you can't tell the eggs apart, then you'll have to throw all the suspect eggs away for whatever withdrawl period you use. One way round this might be to confine her until she has laid each day's egg (throw it away) and only then let her back in with the others.

To help her recover, anything that might help her with shock or help boost her immune system would help: eg apple cider vinegar, garlic, vitamin and mineral supplements, live bio yogurt (to help counteract the effects of the Baytril), lots of fresh water, and all the good food she can eat!

And of course all the TLC you can give Wink

Just to add, they can be tougher than you think at times like this. Luckily I've not been through it myself, but I've often heard of chickens in a simillar situation quickly recovering from some horrific wounds.

Fingers crossed for a quick recovery for your Lavender too!

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

so sorry to hear about Lavender's ordeal. I can't add any advice to what you've already been told but I hope she soon picks up and feels better.

Mel · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 150 Location: Gosport, Hampshire

so sorry to hear about Lavender Sad

, hopefully she'll make a full recovery.

When mine had to have Baytril, we were told 14 days for egg withdrawal, hope this is of some help.