I am new to this site and have a question. I came home tonight and went to close up the coop and realized one of our chickens was missing. It was already dark but we ended up finding her (a Barred Rock-6 mos) crouched under my basil plants in my garden. I'm pretty sure she was attacked by something?? We lost a chicken last week, not sure what did it? She felt wet and looked injured so we brought her in to take a look at her. She has labored breathing, mouth open, scratches on her legs and under her wings, and she is standing crouched-like with her tail feathers down. She isn't interested in food or water, should I try to make her drink? She won't move around at all, nothing "feels" broken but I'm worried. I've always heard that labored breathing is a death sentence for chickens. Should she go to the vet? Please help! Not a seasoned chicken farmer!
Thanks
Injured Chicken
hi sonomachicken,
I really wish I could help. I'm new to chickens too. The only thing I can think of is to make sure that you keep her isolated. Do you have somewhere you can keep her, for example, I have a sick chicken in a dog crate in my garage right now?
If I were you, I'd take her to the vet, because my chickens are more like pets to me, but that's entirely your call.
There are lots of very experienced chicken folks on here, I sure hope someone sees your post soon.
In the meantime, you could also do a search for "injured chicken" to see what other previous topics might relate and give you some guidance.
Harmony! Claire! Cat! ChickenFairy? Anybody? Can you hear me?
Thank you for answering. I did put her in our rabbits exercise pin in the garage. I put one of our really docile bantams in with her to keep her company. I felt bad for her in there all by herself:( All of my animals are like my babies too.
Thanks again!
PS.
Grownut has recommended a number of times to others to make a paste of triple antibiotic ointment and black pepper (as much black pepper as the ointment will take) and put that on the scrapes and cuts.
There's also an "emergency room" forum I just found on "The Classroom @ The Coop" that you may get a quicker answer. http://www.the-coop.org/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=19
Well, that's about all I've got and DH is going to get irritated if I don't get my butt off the computer.
I'll be thinking of you and your chicken.
Hang in there,
Kristin
sonoma,
If she was attacked and the only injuries you see are small, superficial (now deep, puncture, slice, or gash) scratches, then she is just very stressed. She could use some electrolytes or vitamins or ACV in her water to feel better.
Tomorrow examine her more thoroughly. If she has obvious wounds, it would be best to not have the bantam in with her, as Chicken Instinct could take over and cause pecking problems.
Then try some nice treats to calm her down and help her perk up somewhat. Watermelon and garlic come to mind first. Also Dandelion leaves or green onion tails. These would help restore her immune system in case there is a possibility of infection in them. Best to gently wash wounds with warm water using a sterile sponge.
Please post pictures if possible so more folks can help you and your hen.
Best Wishes*********************************************************************
CF
Thank you Chicken Fairy!
I have inspected her a couple of times to make sure I didn't miss any wounds. There aren't any open wounds so I'm thinking she is super stressed or in shock. I hope she doesn't have any internal problems. Do chickens put their tail feathers down when they are stressed? As far as electrolytes go, what do you give them? As far as the garlic goes, do you give it raw? In something? I'll try to post a pix.
Thanks again!
Sonoma, that is terrible. I'm so sorry that happened!
I found out by accident how much they love raw garlic. I just slice/dice it up into bite sized pieces.. my babiez loved it!
Is she breathing any better? Hopefully she will bounce back now that she knows she is safe.
Poor baby.
For the electrolytes you can give them pedilyte or any generic brand like that. ACV stands for apple cider vinegar. It also helps there immune system.
Hope she is doing better in the morning
Sheila
Garlic raw is best. Add it to something appealing. Mine love it in cottage cheese, which is also high protein and good for them. Yes, chickens who are feeling stressed or unwell can put their tail feathers down. Agreed that isolating her in a "safe" feeling place (small crate is good) will help her calm down. I hope she is doing better this morning. They can get really stressed out quite easily. It's lucky that you found her at all.
Poly-vi-sol infant vitamins are good too - a few drops in the water. They are made by enfamil. You can get them at Walgreens, etc.
Sounds like maybe some predator proofing of your coop is needed?
Keep us updated!
Whoo hoo! I just went to check on her and she seems to be doing a lot better. She is breathing normally, her tail feathers have perked up a bit, she is eating and drinking
(though not as vigorous as usual), and she even laid an egg (which seems kind of early, she usually lays mid-day). Should I put her out for a bit with the other chickens to see if she does OK?
Also, about predator proofing, we usually let them out in the am around 8:ish, and put them up at dusk, they all go in their coop about 30 min before dark than we close and lock the door. It is when we get home a little past dark that there have been issues, they all are in the coop, but the door is open and the ramp is still up. Any thoughts or ideas that could help?
Excellent news - thanks for the update - always a relief to hear they are doing better. I am pretty sure, based on your news, that it was primarily stress. Probably fine to put her out with the other girls, see if she acts normally or frightened, and then either leave her be or isolate her again, based on how she behaves.
Gosh, no ideas come to mind on what to do. You must have a predator who knows they are there and waits for the right opportunity. That's crummy. Maybe someone else will have a good idea...
I do know when my birds get stressed and look close to death just isolating them and let them recoup, they usually come around. Lets see, some got caught out in a rain storm brought them in the house to dry off did great, then had one get stuck between the 4x4 and the metal, could not get it out until the next day, put her in a pen by herself to recoup, fine the next day.
What I have is 2 small dogs that are outside most of the time. They will NOT get the chickens, they had to learn the hard way............... And they will run off any predator. Just by their barking. So far so good. NOW.
sonomachicken,
that was going to be my suggestion too. my beagle is awesome with the chickens and we leave the gate open so that he can get to their coop when we know we'll be returning after dark. he'd run off any predator that tried anything.