likeastar--x Posted December 26, 2008 Author Share Posted December 26, 2008 Bless my dad, he was so upset about the chickens he set out on christmas eve to straight away start to build them a new run to keep them safe. he worked even on christmas day and he just finished this morning, and now (we hope!) its fox proof. the 2 healthy girls were so happy to be outside again after being cooped indoors with florence, it was lovely to see ill post pictures of the new house/run soon! i wish i had asked the vet more questions, im so confused about whats happening to florence. some of the green areas have gone down or dissapeared, but all the dead skin is coming loose (which i suppose is what we want) but now there are deep open pockets around the wound what do they plan to do? im not sure they thought this all the way through because they thought she would die! a bit of her skin has gone orange and sort of flaky, i think thats a good thing though and its healing...though at the same time it could be infection and then some of it has died and gone black. one of these areas are just over the crop, which the vet said was not good (if so much then why didnt he put her down???) in herself florence is much happier - she will wobble a few steps and stand up now, and she goes for food and water with her usual gusto and she looks round when you go in the room and is generally a lot perkier. it would be a shame for her to die after all this upset and effort on ours and her part, but at least shes feeling better now hope you all had a good christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 ok, lots of questions LAS and as there appears to be no one else on just now I will do my best. It is difficult without actually seeing but sounds like it is all going well. Yes bits will flake of good that the greeny bits have gone, I expect you are bathing the bad bits off. My hen had a hole right through her neck, food & wayer leaked out I wasa horrified but the vet looked right in & said it was quite clean inside. It healled in about 2 weeks. Not able to say about the black bits though it could be bruising coming out. Are you giving her Arnica? 1 Tab 3x daily, same stuff we use. it is good for bruising and can get it in mosdt chemists now onty a couple of £s. It sounds very good to me that she is perky, eating & drinking. well done. There may be more opinions later. Sandy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 we are keeping all our fingers toes and paws crossed here for Florence... Much love Sue XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 I'm new to chicken keeping, but trying to help - as a rusty ex-veterinary nurse (and human nurse ), I'd say if Florence is up and looking perky, and above all is eating and drinking, it sounds hopeful that any infection is under control (can't remember if you said she's on antibiotics). Wounds often look terrible, don't they, but once the dead tissue comes away the new healthy stuff can develop, and wings and chicken legs crossed, she will make a great recovery. It's really encouraging to read Sandy's hole-in-the-neck success story. Keeping everything crossed, and hope a more experienced chicken person can give you some more encouragement soon. Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 When one of ours had a bite wound, the vet told us to regularly pick the scab off as that would encourage growth of new tissue. I'm squemish so this was no easy task. However, my girl has healed completely and there is no sign of any wound now. I'm sure that it's a good sign that the old, damaged tissue is coming off. Fingers crossed for a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted December 26, 2008 Author Share Posted December 26, 2008 do you think i can post a picture or give a link to a picture? or is it too graphic for the site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 Maybe post a link with a warning or change the title of the thread warning of graphic pics in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 just waiting for the photo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Maybe post a link with a warning or change the title of the thread warning of graphic pics in it! As Tasha says, just add a warning to the title. Photos may help others as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 yes photos of other peoples chooks made me realize that my girls new growing feathers were normal and they didnt have the spiky diease....... Sue xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 So sorry to hear of your problems with Mr. Fox. Your Dad is a star to build them a safe run, especially giving up his Christmas to do so. I am so glad you have founfd a kind, chicken-friendly vet. I do hope your surviving girls pull through and enjoy their lives in their new run. I made a big walk-in run earlier this year after losing one of my girls to a fox. It has been a real success. I do let my girls come out and free-range still, but only when I am in the garden as Mr. Fox still visits very regularly to check if I've been negligent and left them exposed. I had to chase one out of my garden border only a few days ago in broad daylight! All the best for you and your girls. *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 well, weve come to the end of this story. we took florence to the vet this morning, and she was put to sleep. the dead tissue ran very deep and the vet said the chances were slim. i think she was trying to encoarage me to put her down to be kind. she would have had to stay indoors for so long, and if she did go back shed have no feathers and likely would not lay again. i saw this coming a long time ago, but it was still very hard. I just WISH the vet had encoaraged us to do it straight away, instead of making the poor thing suffer through a week. she was improving exactly as she should have been, nothing had changed for the worse since last sunday, so why did they not think this through and just assume she would die? it sounds mean but im now kind of relieved tahat i dont have to worry about her any more, it would have gone on and on for months. now im concentrating on maybe getting some friends for saffron and rory, now the run is done. and sorry but i didnt manage to get any pictures of florences injurys before she died. thanks for your support and advice - at least we can learn from this experience! RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Brave decision. Guess the vet does their best for what the owner wants and its hard for us to say its time to stop. New start for you now with your dad's foxproof run. Good luck and put some picks up of your new run and chooks when you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I'm so sorry she didn't make it but you did your very best for her and she's not suffering now... Best wishes and hope that your new run will give you some peace of mind. Sending you lots of love, xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I'm so sorry LaS. I think from the sound of her wounds though you have made the right decision. You gave her a good life and tried hard to save her, but enough is enough sometimes. Hugs to you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 You made the right decision. it is never easy. RIP . Bring back fox hunting, they really are murderous vermin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 So sorry she didn't make it - she sounded like she had a chance with all your love and care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 So sorry to hear this. I'm glad for you that it's over, and there's of course the relief in that, even though it's sad and you'll miss her. You tried your best, and the vet seemed to think it was worth having a really good go for Florence. Thinking of you Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear about Florence, but you did all you could and it's excellent that the run is now secure for your other girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Sad news, but a brave decision and for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I agree. It was very brave of you. *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 You tried your best for her and made the right decision. Now you must look forward to introducing some new friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I've just caught up with this sad tale & it sounds like you all tried your hardest, but poor little Florence just wasn't strong enough to fight the infection which had obviously spread further than anyone had really anticipated. Don't blame the vet, he obviously felt that with your help she could have made it, but he's only human & can't see into the future. It's always hard saying goodbye to a family member - which she was, albeit an outdoor one. Look to the future now, and enjoy the new run which Dad has built, maybe a couple of new "sisters" in the future would be good for you all. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 That's so upsetting. Please don't let it put you off keeping hens. Take more precautions next time. We have four foxes which keep our hens in sight most days, but we have a run with a roof, the sides and roof of which are made of sturdy wood and strong mesh (not chicken wire). We have put paving slabs round the entire base of the run so it can't be burrowed under and we have pegged the run down with long pegs under the slabs. The foxes can't get in, the chickens are safe. Give it a go. Don't let the foxes win! Anna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 ((HUGS)) a very hard decision but the right one, its hard to say goodbye to a loved pet but we all have to do it eventually. You have your girls safe now in their new run and some newbies on the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
