I just recently bought 10 chickens about two months ago. Today, my rooster was attacked by a black lab. The lab punctured the top and bottom of the thigh, but he mainly got his tail. The tail has a large chunk missing out of it and all the feathers look like they are hanging off, like the entire tail is barely hanging on. Any ideas as of what i should do.....??????
Help. I have my first injured chicken.
First and foremost I would suggest neosporin or any other antibacterial cream on the wounds. That will prevent infection. I would possibly wash the wounds first as well. If you have BlueKote, us it also. I would cut off the feathers that are hanging off and make sure he is isolated from the others, preferably in a clean-as-possible environment. The others will pick at blood and further injure him. Give him minced garlic in with his food for his immune system to help battle any infection. Clean water always available of course.
Well with all that good advice i have nothing to say but hope your roo gets better^_^
I guess I should also say, if you cut away some of those feathers and you see a very considerable gash in the tail flesh area, like the kind that probably needs sutures, you might want to take him to a vet. Some people with medical experience are comfortable doing their own sutures on chickens, but don't try this unless you really know what you are doing. A vet may prescribe an antibiotic as a preventive for possible infection.
When you cut feathers back, don't cut them right at the base - they will lose more blood. Cut them part way up, but enough so they aren't hanging on the ground, or liable to get all mucked up with poo, etc.
I agree more very good advice^_^
Ditto - what Harmony and Claire said.
I hope your roo gets better soon! Tail feathers grow back fairly fast if no one is picking at them, also, just so you know. My cochin had her rump picked bare when I bought her. She had them all grown back and looking gorgeous after about 4 weeks.
well, I just looked at him a little closer because he looked like he was in alot of pain. He was taking very quick, short breaths. I took him out of the box and set him on some blankets on the floor and he calmed down. He even drank some water and ate a little food. I took a closer look at his tail feathers and the feathers aren't hanging off, it's the actual skin of the chicken that is pulled back causing the feathers to sag. I have called every vet around here and we don't have any avian vets at all. I have gotten no help. They just tell me to let him sit there until he dies or kill him myself, which is not going to happen. I don't think he is going to sit still long enough for anyone to do any sutures. He's kind of a feisty one. Hopefully that will help him pull through. I am hoping with some TLC and the minor care I can provide him, he will get better. Thanks for all the info!!
~Lisa~
P.S. I think I have a claustrophobic roo!!!!
Poor baby! If you aren't up for stitches what about some of that butterfly or surgical tape? Is there someone that could hold him down while you tended to his rump?
I'll be thinking of you and your roo!
Hang in there!
Kristin
Maybe you could use some of that stuff, I forget what it's called, second skin or something. It's like a paint-on bandaid stuff for humans, but I bet it would work while he is healing, to protect from infection.
Sounds like maybe the box is a bit small. Perhaps find a bigger box, and cut "windows" in it so he gets some light? I usually isolate mine in pet carriers, like those plastic doggie crates with a handle on top.
Keep us updated!
I know for a fact that "second skin" burns really bad. It's really nothing but high tech super glue. HAHA! I could probably try the butterfly stitches. I honestly just don't know what I'm doing here. And no vet will offer me any help. I am actually in Nursing School.....not Vet School! I thought vets took a vow to help ANY animal in need.
He's actually doing alot better this morning. I have him shut up in my bedroom on some blankets with some food and water. He is drinking very well on his own but still not eating. He doesn't seem to be stressed or atleast not like he was last night. He still won't walk on his own. Now I'm worried that all his wounds will heal and he'll be gimpy and can't walk. LOL. If he makes it, I think I'll name him "Lucky".
I really appreciate all of your help. When it comes to chickens, I'm as lost as a fart in a space suit......
~Lisa~
Glad to know he's a little better sometimes the trauma of and attack leaves a chicken traumatized and just like when we get scared it takes a few days just to get over the fear.
I know about Vets they laugh at us chicken folks.
Lisa,
When I've had sick or under-the-weather birds, they almost always will still eat cottage cheese. All my chickens LOVE cottage cheese. It has good protein in it and can help them get back on their feet a little bit when they are feeling low. I would suggest trying cottage cheese - feel free to mix in the garlic or other yummies such as chopped grapes or tomatoes, or a little bit of oatmeal. That's the favorite treat of my Rosie who was a rescue hen and was terribly thin and sad when she came to us.
Wishing him well,
Claire
So, my roo is doing a little better. He's eating now and drinking water on his own. I gave him a bath today and saw how severely bruised he is. All the wounds are scabbing over and seem to be healing nicely.
BUT........he won't walk.....There is something wrong with one of his legs. I am not a chicken expert but I don't think it's dislocated or broken. I don't know for sure. He can move it some but now as well as the other. He can't bear any weight on it. I have felt the entire leg and moved it myself....I don't feel any breaks or bumps or swelling.
I am wondering if the dogs tooth may have damaged a nerve because it is right on the base of his spine...??? Any ideas???
Lisa,
We have a hen that doesn't walk on one of its legs. Actually she is blind in one eye too. We think she may have had a stroke, because she was never attacked. She just started looking like she wasn't feeling good and stopped eating. We housed her away from the other chickens, because we know that chickens will pick on the weaker ones.
That was over a year ago, and she is still with us, even laying eggs for us ^_^.
She started out by hopping around on just the one leg, but now I have noticed that she does use the other leg just a little bit to limp around on.
In time I think he will learn to adjust to only being able to use one leg.
Keep us updated, and good luck to you and your roo