sambee Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 We had 10 chickens in a cube. A fox came this morning at about 5:30 and killed 3 of them, heads severed, the other 3 were missing, and we have 4 left. Got 3 rabbits too. The missing chickens I assume it took away for family as they were too big to fly out on their own to get away. One of the survivors, Boots, when I found her was crouched under the cube, she's in obvious shock, and is bleeding slightly on either side of her head. We've sprayed the violet spray for now just to keep her from being pecked by the other 3. She now keeps one eye constantly closed, I think it's possible she's been blinded in it. She also wont move around much, and is not interested in food. How do I help her, do i need to keep her warm, how do i find out if the s"Ooops, word censored!"es (if that's what they are as they don't appear to be bleeding as heavily as a cut) are more serious? PLease any help would be good. And whoever says chickens are less of an animal just needs to see how distraught Bluebelle is that her best friend Margaret is missing, she keeps calling and calling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Oh that is awful I assume that your chickens were not locked up safely in the cube? I hope that your remaining girls are ok. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Goodness, that is terrible. I really feel for you... As for your little chook, i'd wrap her up and keep her warm, bring her inside somewhere quiet and try to get her to have some water during the day. If she doesn't perk up you may need to take her to the vets...... Hopefully a more experienced Omleteer will be along shortly to put me right if i'm wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 How awful for you, I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Sorry to hear this has happened. I would keep her warm (prob bring her inside) and try not to stress her out with too much handling I found this by googling which may help "Mix up some wet hot mash for her ... only a little ... some grated apple (not chopped must be grated) some rolled oats and some beef cat food its high in protein and it will help her to recoup... also boil up an egg and crumble half the yolk into the mix and drizzle just a little honey.. not much at all to help her with her energy level". Do you know how the fox got in?? Be extra vigilent as I think they do come back if they know there is a food source. Hope she is all ok x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hello Sambee Oh thats just soooo awful. My heart hurts for you, its so devastating & awful for the chickens. I am NOT the more experienced omleteer but after our fox visit, killing 3, our remaining survivors. We were absolutely devastated seeing how shocked & frightened our surviving girls were. I would, if possible, take her into the house & keep her warm, she may be hurt & in shock & if the others would peck her she wont be able to rest & heal. Trust how you feel, - if you have the time just hold her wrapped in towel on your knee for a little while, they seem to respond to the TLC. Or if you have a separate box somewhere she can rest & recoup safely, pop her in there with her towel. She may respond to a little treat like a grape...or maybe some rinsed tuna. So sorry, hope you have somebody to help you. Also, as you've said, we had a couple who were inseparable & she was frantically looking & calling for her mate. She even kept walking - pacing backwards and forwards around the area in which she last saw her mate, she would return daily & we'd have to gently walk her back It was so sad but they do eventually heal & forget?! We luckily had no injuries, so to soothe & calm them we just, sounds mad, but we became part of their flock, and kept the chickens doing chicken things but stayed with them as long as we could so they regained their confidence, as one wouldn't even come out of the cube the following morning. Took about 5 days then they seemed to get back to more normal behaviour, except the mate who did take a little longer but eventually she did gel with the others and became a close knit flock again. Many thoughts and prayers are with you & your chickens Ms Tilyhopesyouhavesomeoneclosetoyoutosupportyouthroughthisawfulday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Oh how awful for you, I'm so sorry! As the others have said, bring her in and keep her warm, tempt her with some porridgey mash. A few drops of Bachs Rescue Remedy would be helpful. If she has open wounds you need to clean them well with salt water - fox bites are very prone to infection. You should really consider a trip to the vet for some antibiotics. How did the fox get into the cube - it would be worth knowing if there are any vulnerable points Hope she makes a full recovery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I am sorry to hear you news. Generally when in shock the best thing is calm, often dark, and quiet. I tend not to say keep warm in this sometimes humid weather in case she overheats so just keep her somewhere where she is out of the wind and is sheltered. Only bring her in if she is happy indoors as you obviously don't want to add to her stress by changing her surroundings too much. She may be happier shut in the nesting area maybe. You know her best and so will know where she is happiest. Keep her wounds clean with saline 2-3 times a day. If the wounds are deep she may need antibiotics but if she needs a trip to the vets which will be stressful see if you can wait somewhere away from barking dogs so perhaps wait in the car with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear that, what a horrible shock for you . I hope she pulls through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Sambee, what a dreadful shock for you all, I can add no more advice, just some {{{hugs}}}. I hope the survivors all pull through & settle back together quickly . RIP lost ones , Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 So sorry to hear of the attack. Agree with the other advice given about keeping her somewhere quiet and calm. Just wanted to add if she does pull through she will cope fine with just sight in one eye (we have a chook with one eye) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 poor chooks, and poor you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm really sorry to read this I'm curious to know how the fox managed to get your girls, being a owner myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 How awful, what a shock for the poor girl, I hope she pulls through ok x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smanners Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 We had a fox visit last friday Three were killed and 3 were injured Two had puncture wounds and feathers missing from their neck. One had feathers ripped out from one side under her wing and grazes. I was in the house and this happened in 10 minutes. I applied purple spray to the wounds and gave the girls rescue remedy. They were very scared but were able to eat corn. All of them laid eggs within an hour and have continued to lay them since The wounds didn't get infected thank goodness and no vet treatment has been necessary. The fox has been back since and they are still terrified but luckily s/he can't get get at them in their WIR. Sending you ((((hugs)))) and I do hope your girls recover. They do seem to be quite resilant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Oh I'm so sorry, I hope she pulls through, how awful for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 What a horrible experience. Much sympathy and best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 how horrible - hope the poorly one is feeling better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 I'm sorry to hear it. You've had good advice from the other Omleteers about keeping her calm etc. Did the fox dig its way into the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Hi I am sorry to read what has happened. Hope your girl is feeling better. Incidentally what is the purple spray and where do you get it from please? My girls free range all day and every day and I live in a semi rural area so perhaps I should consider getting a 1st aid box ready just in case. Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Hi kit it's gentian violet. You can usually get from where ever you get your chook supplies from, or I noticed they are selling in the Omlet shop now!!!!! http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken%20Extras&sub=Health&product_id=2768&sort=popularity&start=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smanners Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Incidentally what is the purple spray and where do you get it from please? It's Gentian violet spray often just called purple spray and you can get it from horsey suppliers, some farm shops, country stores ( Scats) etc. It's antiseptic and the purple colour disguises bloody wounds to stop the others pecking at them (they are drawn to red/ blood and can cause damage to the injured hen) One word of warning........ it colours everything else purple too so don't wear your best clothes when applying it Makes the hens quite colourful too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
