Lynn in Bristol Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Haven't posted for ages, but need to share yesterday's dreadful events. We (and probably most of the neighbours) were all woken up extemely early yesterday morning by a huge commotion in the garden. Husband went down to shut the girls up by chucking some corn at them, and completely failed to notice all the feathers inside and outside the run. I went down and did a quick leg count, saw that the feeders and drinkers had been knocked on the floor, refilled them and put them back. We put it all down to an early morning fox visit (small discussion as to whether door to large run had been left open - unresolved). However, when I got back from the school run, I let the girls out and noticed poor Rue, our white star. Her normally enormous floppy red comb was no longer there, what was left was just a mess of dried blood. Odd thing was, she seemed to be behaving totally normally, just got on with her morning scratchings. Realising I had foolishly let my husband have the car, I then started trying to track down an understanding friend who could drive me to the vets (a true friend, I have now discovered, is somebody who will jump out of the shower, dress, drive round to your house and get you to the vets by the end of morning surgery, which is less than half an hour away). Vet, after admitting slight surprise at what I pulled out of a very large cardboard box with 'Christmas Decorations' written all over it, cleaned up Rue's head, covered it with some brown sticky stuff and jabbed her with some antibiotics ('let's call it a tenner', he said). Rue came home, settled into a rabbit cage in the dining room and laid an egg. Today she seems absolutely fine, and has laid another egg. I put her back in the run with the other girls, watching them carefully to make sure that she wasn't picked on. Instead, she has gone to each of the others in turn, fluffed out her neck feathers and given them all a good seeing to, as if to say 'I'm back, and I'm still bad'. She's always been quite high up in the pecking order, but I've never seen her behave like that before! Now, it's as if nothing had happened (perhaps she's forgotten, and thinks her comb is still there). We can only assume that she was attacked by a fox, who managed to get hold of her ridiculous headgear through the bars of the Omlet run. I'm amazed that she's survived with few apparent ill effects. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience, and how their chicken fared without a comb. Rue has always been a special chicken, but now she's even more precious. Once she's healed, I'll post some before and after photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 OMG! The poor girl, I've never heard of a complete comb loss before. She's obviously had a close encounter with a fox. Sounds like you've got a great vet there though. Let's hope she remains undetered by the whole precedings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 She has been through the wars hasn't she? Poor girl. Glad she is still top hen! I would just keep an eye on her for further bleeding as the others might peck at it. Seems she is doing well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Oh bless her little heart. At least she's alive and still boss chicken! I hope she heals up quickly, poor girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 My word! What a story! Poor Rue...what a brave and valiant hen. Give her a handful of sweetcorn from me. What a star your friend is too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 That is not a pleasant thing to wake up to in the morning! Hope she gets better soon, at least she doesnt sound like she too traumatised - unlike you probably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Poor little Chook. Maybe it will grow again?? You never know!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Awwwwww, I'm so glad she seems well about it all. Must have been awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 What a trauma for your poor hen and you. I'm glad all seems well now. She definately deserves some treats. Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Goodness me, and she still has more front than Brighton - that chook has spirit.. a weaker bird would've died of shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Brilliant news that she is still perky and her normal self even though she's combless!! I cant believe after an attempted fox attack she's bright and acting normal....she's one tough cookie. I expect she will be relieved to get to bed tonight so she can relax and sleep off her "eventful" day. Give your friend a big thankyou, very nice of her to help you out. Let us know how she goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 What a chook!! Will need a little spoiling for the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 What a horrible experience for her... and you. Shows the value of the eglu run construction though if there was no entry by the fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 What an awful experience for her (and you ). Glad she seems to be coping well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 What a chook and waht a friend too. Hope she's still perky today, she sounds like a real trooper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Oh crikey - having a White Star myself & knowing how huge their combs are I can only sympathise with her...........& you! Must have been a horrible shock for you both I do hope she continues to be perky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn in Bristol Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Thanks for all your concern. Rue had a day off laying yesterday (Saturday) , but produced a lovely white egg again today. I can't believe how well she's doing. She looks pretty odd though. She's always been our favourite hen and is a fabulous layer - I'd heartily recommend White Stars to anybody, especially now. She is one of those chickens who goes really calm when you pick her up - you can lie her on one hand and she will just stay there, not moving - the kids love her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...