dogs and chickens Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 (edited) Currently I have 2 broodies in a cage in the garage, at about 3p.m this afternoon they started making a right old noice. I eventually (about 3mins)decided I should go see what all the noice was about, not really feeling worried as they quite often make a lot of noice for no reason. Plus our dog Blake was outside laying on the patio so he 'would' have told me if there was a problem. How wrong can someone be A fox has had a merry time with my chooks 3 are dead and 10 are injured, in other words every chicken that was in that pen was muled by the fox. I had no comprehension how AWFUL a fox attack is, although I had the Omlet netting round the girls I never really thought a fox would get in, in the middle of the day. You had all told me, and now I feel like a very very upset stupid fool. I'm not sure how many of the others will survive. one I found hanging from the netting still alive. 2 are very badly bitten (both of which have laid eggs since!), but the blood has already formed a kind of scab. They all look like ex batts. Is there anything I can give them for the shock? Obviously I have moved them all with great difficulty into the Cube run, and locked the door. It seems to really stress them when I go anywhere near so I'm trying to keep my distance. The fox has already been back about 10 ins ago and tryed to get into the run. Oscar our little dog barked and we all went up there, What annoys me the most is the fact he did not even take anything, I guess he was disturbed but this is such needless killing. I am so sad and upset and I feel so guilty that it was my fault. Thanks so much for reading a very upset womens rambling! Michelle Edited July 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh no how awful for you. Don't feel bad we all do things that with hindsight we should have not done, done quicker, etc etc. I have no idea what you can do to calm them, I am sure one of the others here will be able to give you some excellent advice, I just couldn't let the post pass without saying how sorry I am. Nasty Nasty Fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 What a dreadful shock for you I think you girls might like some rescue remedy if you can get some, but keeping them warm and safe will also help. I hope the injured ones pull through, they may need to be seen by a vet as fox carry some horrible bacteria on their teeth that can cause infection if they have bitten into the muscle Take care, Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh no, I'm really sorry for you. I've never used it myself, but others on here swear by Rescue Remedy, and just give them chance to calm down before checking their wounds. Fox bites can be full of nasties so you may need a vet visit and/or antibiotics for some. Hope the survivors make it Poor girlies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh no I have not got any rescue remedy, I live quite a long way from town, and don't want to go out in case he comes back again Maybe hubby can get some, how do you give it to them, in there water or direct and what doseage? Thanks so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I'm so, so sorry to hear about this . Your poor girls and poor you . You mustn't blame yourself, it's just one of those things. I leave my girls out unsupervised quite often and it's always in the back of my mind, what if .... . I hope your injured girls recover soon and you get over the shock too. Have a stiff drink tonight, you may have a delayed reaction to this awful event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 How dreadful Michelle Rescue Reemdy can be given by dropping it directly into their beaks. It would also be helpful to pulverise some Arnica pillules and Aconite too (for the shock) to give to them. If they are in shock, they will stop eating and drinking, sso the main thing is to try to tempt them into at least taking on some water. If you have some Avipro in stock, then add that to the water. Cover over the run so that they are dark - this will keep them calm. If they will let you pick them up, them bathing in warm weather with tea tree oil added will help with the germs. If you can get them to the vet, or he will come out, then they may well benefit from an anti-b shot. Poor babies Poor you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh you poor thing! So sorry to hear this.. not sure where you are but if you are nearby to any of us I'm sure someone could lend you some rescue remedy? Don't blame yourself.. as many people have told me recently accidents happen and it sounds like you are doing everything you can for the injured girls. Big hugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lapinou Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I was going to suggest the same as Claret about the arnica for shock. You can just dissolve pillules in water. How terrible for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh you poor thing, what a terrible shock! <> to you and your girlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear your news. I can't imagine how I would feel if it happened to us. Take care and I hope your remaining girls pull through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh what a dreadful thing to happen and such a shock. Rescue Remedy is EXCELLENT, they cannot overdose with it. I think you should have some too if you can get any, seriously!! Maybe get a vet out to take a look at them when they have had a chance to calm as anti b shots will probably be a good precautionary measure to take. You are NOT stupid either, hindsight is a wonderful thing, I've been there myself with rabbits some years ago and it is horrific. If you have any lavender oil that will calm you, maybe even dot a few drops inside the cube? (3) Take care, love and best wishes and hope everyone else is ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thank you all for your kind words, I still keep crying. One of the girls is not too good. I have put the broody girls back with the others and have moved her into the cage in the dark of the garage. She has no (well hardly any feathers left and is so bruised her skin is purple I can't actually see any teeth marks on her, so fingers crossed she will heal perfectly well. She's not moving at all. I don't want to stress her by bathing her tonight, but I have got T Tree oil (thanks for suggestion) left over from after I have my baby, so I will give her a bath tomorrow. If she does not get too stressed by the whole thing ! Maybe a daft question but the eggs that have been laid and may be laid will they be OK or will they be 'weird' in some way? I have kept the 2 from earlier in a seperate box for now. They are both covered in blood, but having said that. It was their normal time of day to lay (sorry avid writer down of who has laid and when here ) I'm guessing it was the shock that made them covered in blood? One of the girls was badly bitten but she is eating and drinking and apart from obvious she seems fine in herself - bless her. What have others done with there pasted away chooks? I did discuss with hubby digging a hole, but he said something would come and dig them up Oh dear I'm crying again. Thanks for all your advise Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 You poor thing, I'm not surprised you're crying . I've got tears in my eyes reading your post . Sorry to be practical at such an awful time, but I think if you choose to bury them, you have to dig pretty deep and put slabs or something over it to prevent digging. If you're going to the vet, he may dispose of them for you (but there may be a charge ). I'll be thinking of you. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi Michelle, I'm so sorry this has happened to you and your girls. A fox got my rabbit a few years ago and its horrible. I hope they all recover soon. Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 With regard to going to the vet I'm going to wait and see how they are tomorrow. I think if I go in there and try and catch them at the moment it will just scare them more. Fox has been back 3 more times . It's daylight! My choooks will never be able to free range again . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Bless you & yours. So gutted for you Michelle, absolutely gutted . .have tears at the very thought of what you've all been through. Sooooo sorry for your loss & so many healing prayers with the injured chickens. Hope they & you rest well tonight, if you can't get out see if you can order some rescue remedy from the internet, Hollands & Barratt etc might do next day delivery. Thinking of you all. Ms Tillysprayersarewithyouandyourchickens.Godblessthemandkeepthemsafe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi Michelle Just a suggestion but if the girls are in the eglu can you move the whole thing into the garage or somewhere to keep them safe until you can do something else tomorrow. I just think for your piece of mind as much as anything they may be better off in there for the evening, especially if the fox is still lurking. At least they would be in semi darkness in there which would help to keep them calm. Jue x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 at the risk of being awful, don't bury them, you've got enough trouble with the dastardly fox already, he will almost certainly dig them up and it will be awful and upsetting all over again. I'm sorry to say ours had to go in the bin, yes it sounds awful, but I couldn't bury them for the above reason and wasn't going to pay £10 for the vet to put them in his incinerator. It sounds callous but it was their quality of life that meant the most to me not the method of their disposal. I really hope your other chooks pull through. if you are rural have you considered asking someone to dispatch the fox for you? Again, sorry if I'm upsetting anyone but this is what foxes do and once they find a source of food they are understandably very reluctant to leave it. Failing that I think you WILL have to be out there when they free range, it might restrict their movements but they will be safe and still in a far better place than thousands of other chickens. It's so upsetting, if you have no rescue remedy then just try and take a moment out to breathe and try to be calm, hopefully by putting all the hens together it will instill a feeling of safety and calm in them too. thinking of you all Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh no I have not got any rescue remedy, I live quite a long way from town, and don't want to go out in case he comes back again Maybe hubby can get some, how do you give it to them, in there water or direct and what doseage? Thanks so much what about a bit of sugar water? supposed to be good for shock, donno about use on hens tho, no halm in trying it tho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Sorry to hear about your awful afternoon. Hope the others all recover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 what an awful shock. im so sorry. I really hope your girls pull through. That is one cunning fox to come back so many times, remain vigilant as it will keep coming back now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs and chickens Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Finally sat down with a glass of wine, and heard the chooks squarking, ran up there and oh my god the fox is sat there cool as a cucumber! Hubby is sat up ready and waiting, so let's hope he has a little of the same kind of 'fun' the fox had earlier. No go with putting them all in the garage. It would not fit. Plus I also think moving the whole thing that distance would be quite stressful for them, and we would also have to take a hedge out to get them there ! The chook who is in the garage is looking more chearful, she at least lifted her head when I looked in just now - Yippee! What a stressful day. I want the chooks to get inside the cube now so I can lock the door,then I will feel better for tonight at least. Plucky fellow that fox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Poor you - I hope you husband sorts it out for the ones that our injured. I think you should pour another glass after the day you have had. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Good for your hubby Michelle - I hope that the fox stays away now. Chooks die easily from shock, so keep them warm, calm and drinking plenty of fluids. You're doing the best things Michelle - go to bed now and see what tomorrow brings, the brave little babies will be much better then I hope. Can I recommend that you buy a foxwatch? Whereabouts are you located? If you're near me, I can pop over to help you dose them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
