4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Scotty]

Dear All,

 

I've just had a fox attack in the garden, Hens were free ranging while I hung the washing out. I rang my vets but because they are not classed as domestic pets my vets wont see them. So any advice would be good..

 

One hen has since died but Flossy just has puncture wounds to her back - any suggestions welcome. I have her in a carboard box in the conservatory at the moment, She is just sitting there with her eyes shut. Should I attemt to clean her wounds or leave them alone?

 

The other is fine but making a hell of a racket - so I've locked her away again, I tried to put them all back together but Margot seems to be pecking flossy's wounds is this natural or should i keep them apart?

 

vicky

[Old Speckled Hen]

So sorry, dreadful, about the attack.

You chooks will need warmth, take them into the house and put them into a cardboard box with a hot water bottle.

They will need antibiotics. like REALLY NEED.

Take them to the vet.

Ignore the "we don't see chickens' bit.

Just go to the surgery ..... the vet may mumble and stumble but at least they will get treated.

I hate the we don't see ..... bit.

All vets have to offer relief of suffering to all species.

If he/she doesn't know tell them it's baytril at the normal dose rate.

Best of luck

[Guest]

you'd think they would be safe if you were with them! How awful.

 

Ring around a few other vets in your area as she will need antibiotics. For now, bathe the wound if you can with a mild solution of warm water and antiseptic and keep her warm and quiet. Try and get her to drink some water with a drop of rescue remedy, most chemists stock this if you don't have any. Might be an idea to give your other hen some rescue remedy as she will be in shock too.

 

Poor girls, hope they pull through.

[sandyhas3chucks]

go here

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/

use the advance section in "find a vet"

There are lots in essex you justr need find nearest.

don't leave wounded chook with others they will attack sick one.

Arnica good until you get there.

good luck

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that . I hope you can get a vet to see Flossy .

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear about the fox attack. Stick to your guns about getting her seen.

 

I bet they'd treat the bloomin' fox if someone brought it in.

 

In the meantime, keep her warm and hydrated, and bathe the wounds with a saline solution.

[Scotty]

My vet has now agreed to see Flossy at 4:30 today - thank you all for your support, she is currently sitting on a hot waterbottle in her cardboard box. but the holes in her back are massive. such a shame, she's only just regrown all of her feathers from when she was an exbat

 

I'll keep you all posted

[Seagazer]

I'm so glad your vet has agreed to see Flossy. I had misunderstood my vets when I talked to them about chickens. I thought they said they didn't do chickens but it was just that they hadn't done any chickens before but were willing to give it a go.

 

I really hope Flossy is ok. I've seen foxes around my house every day since last week now so there is no way unless I'm cleaning them out that they will be free ranging anymore. It really is such a shame.

[Groovychook]

How awful for you...

Sending positive vibes for Flossy xx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Any news after your visit to the vet?

[poachedegg]

Hope Flossy is doing fine.

[Scotty]

Hi everybody,

 

Just got back from the vet. he tells us that although the wounds on Flossy's back are deep they are superficial and that the fox hasn't pierced any organs, its as if he has used his paw to grab at her as she's tried to make her escape. (back to being featherless)

 

The vet gave a shot of anti-Inflammatory, a Short of Pain killer and a shot of Antibiotic, bandaged her up in a bright pink bandage and gave us a week’s supply of antibiotics to help her on her way.

 

She is currently sitting in a cardboard box on a hot water bottle in the kitchen, she has drank and eaten her boiled rice and sweet corn.

 

Lets see if she makes it through the night.

 

I've got to mention that the fox did come back again for another go at the other hen, thankfully Margot was safely locked in her cube so he couldn't reach her, but I reckon he will be back again tomorrow.

 

Just one question - Will my remaining hen Margot, be ok out there on her own? I did try and put Flossy back in with her but Margot started to peck her, so she is home alone

 

 

thanks everybody

[chelsea]

Margot will be fine.

 

I am so pleased you persevered with the vet and he saw you and your chook.

 

Fingers crossed for a full recovery, I am sure with lots of love and TLC from you and she'll be back with Margot soon. If you havent got any purple spray it may pay you to get some in the next few days or so, so you can cover any scars/sores when you eventually put them back together.

 

keep us posted on her progress

[sandyhas3chucks]

good luck, glad the vet saw her!

[Scotty]

Glad to tell you all that Flossy made it through the night, she's even had her breakfast and a good drink. She's been chatting away to us while we all had our breakfast together in the kitchen.

 

When should I introduce her back to the other hen? All of her wounds have been bandaged up by the vet so Margot can't peck them?

[Clur]

I think Margot will peck her regardless of the bandage (probably because of the bandage). You are best of keeping them separate until everything's started to heal. If Flossy's ok, you could try putting them together at night to sleep, but sure someone else may have some better advice.

[Seagazer]

I'm glad she made it through the night

[Nicola O]

Sorry to hear about fox attack, Scotty, I hope everyone (including you) is doing OK.

 

In case this helps, there is a vet in Upminster called Wylie's - they have a poultry expert who is really good. They are at 196 Hall Lane, Upminster - just off the A127. Their number is 01708 251200..

 

They are really easy to get to - literally just of the A127 - not in Upminster itself. I'm in Basildon and it only takes me 15 - 20 mins to get there (depending on traffic) and you are only a couple of miles further on from me.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Nicola.

[MedusA]

Sorry to hear of your problems, Scotty. I lost a hen and had the other bitten by a fox about 18 months ago. You did the right thing to get Flossy treated with antibiotics, as fox teeth carry loads of bacteria which infect the wounds. My hen, Scully, made a full recovery from her ordeal, but her feathers did grow back in a different colour, where she lost them in the attack. She's my little two-tone hen, but still manages to be top chook.

 

You may need to gradually reintroduce Flossy to Margot, once she's recovered. It depends on how long she and Margot are kept apart. It will be a small price to pay though, to have her back to full fitness, I'm sure.

 

I'm afraid all my girls only have very limited free-ranging under close supervision these days. They are mainly in their big walk-in run. Urban foxes are just so bold, and aren't even scared of humans. I recently had to chase one out of the garden in broad daylight, by running right up to it and shouting in it's face. Since the first attack, we have them visit our garden every night, in case I've been lax with my security.

 

Although your local vet was able to treat her on this occasion, it is worth finding a vet with experience of chickens. We now have one in Solihull. It's a bit of a trek, but definitely worth it for her knowledge and experience with other types of chicken illness.

 

Here's hoping Flossy makes a full recovery. Good luck! *hugs*

[Egluntyne]

Glad to hear that the vet saw her and that she is doing well.

 

I'd be inclined to reintroduce her as soon as you can, so that they don't forget each other which will lead to problems in itself.

 

There is bound to be some pecking of the bandage, but if you supervise for a while, and put some distractions in the run, they should soon be friends again.

 

Good luck.

[Scotty]

I've got the Omlet cube with the run inside another bigger pen, Im thinking I might put the poorly hen inside the cube pen and lock the door and just have margot in the "outter" pen. this way they can still see each other but they can't get to each other, lots of advice has reached me to say introduce them slowly back, so Im thinking about 2hr a day for the time being, BUT do you think they might be ok to sleep together or would margot peck her at nighttime? i suppose its a difficult question to answer but wondered if "after lights out" they might just settle down together??? or should she come back inside the house.

 

Also i'm concerned about the dressing - the vet put a "Ooops, word censored!"e bandage on Flossy's wounds, as she was pecking herself. its bright bright bright pink would you be inclined to remove this and let the air get to the wounds or leave it on for a while longer? I've heard that hens go for the colour red and would be inclined to peck - although I've got to say she's stopped pecking herself its just the other hen at night time that raises concerns.

 

Sorry so many questions.

 

vicky

[KAZAROO]

I have been so nervous and have just set up a big cattery pen for the girls so they are safe from mr red.... even when im home I get so worried

 

Hope it all works out; sorry you had to loose a girl.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so glad to hear Flossy made it, Scotty . I've no experience of re-introducing but from what I've read it's usually OK to let them sleep together. Perhaps if you left it as late as possible so Margot is very drowsy it might work OK? I suppose you'd have to check on them quite early in the morning to be on the safe side.

 

Hope you manage to get them together safely soon .