scarlettohara Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 Hi - was hoping my second post would be to say we had our first egg but sadly not. A fox killed Lafonda in broad daylight today and wounded the other 2. We have been at the Royal Vet College with them (they usually treat my horses but have a farm vet), they have a couple of puncture wounds which have been glued, had fluids, pain relief and antibiotics and are now home in the kitchen. They are of course very shocked and Scarlett is gurgling (sounds awful) as her air sac may be punctured - however she is the brighter one so the vet was quite hopeful. Can this repair itself? Also what do I do with Lafonda, vet wasn't sure? Sorry it's so long :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 Very sorry to hear it. Fingers crossed that they pull though. Re Lafonda, you can bury her, but cover the site well with rocks, especially as the fox is about, or you can double bag her and put her in the bin. A lot of people are upset by that suggestion, and I can understand it, but it is what I do. Another option is to ask the vet to have her cremated, but there will be a fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 4, 2010 Author Share Posted April 4, 2010 Thanks, I have put her in a bag in the bin for now as didn't want said fox to get her. Don't think I'm going to get much sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 I'm so sorry what a distressing day for you I cant add to Egluntyne's advice, I also bag and bin my dead chooks It sounds like you have given the remaining two the very best chance they could get so fingers crossed they pull through x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 How awful for you I usually bury my pets but couldn't face a fox getting my Cookie or putting her in the bin so had her cremated. Hope you had some sleep and the other girls are better this am. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 They are still here Scarlett is up and has eaten some cucumber but still making the horrible gurgling noise and they have both had their meds this am. However Hans is refusing to stand and just flops to the side if you stand her up and isn't interested in food/water, she also feels quite hot but maybe becausse she is lying down all the time? I have spoken to the vet and she said to give Hans until this evening to stand and or maybe call it a day. They couldn't find a wound on Scarlett to account for the air sac gurgling so rather than put her through x-rays that might be the kindest thing for her too Any advice welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggy-Bread Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 I don't have any advice - wish I did but I wanted to send all best wishes for recovery for your poor chooks. I know you'll do the right thing if necessary, I really hope it's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 I think your vet has given you good advise. If she still wont stand and wont eat she may be too poorly to save. If you can turn her every hour if she is on her side or ensure that she is propped up on her breast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 Thanks - she is at least sitting upright and I have syringed a little honey and water into her - she is a bit gurgley too, could it be shock as neither has a wound there? Is it OK to give Scarlett more cucumber as this it what she seems to want to eat. Sorry for all the questions - you may have guessed I'm a chook virgin Already really attached to them after 3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 I would give her whatever she fancies but avoid dairy. Cucumber will give her a bit of fluid but not any energy so perhaps try tempting her with a little porridge or mash. I wouldn't over handle her though as the less stress the better (unless of course she is one that loves handling). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Yes, if this is what she is showing an interest in. I'd keep them warm, and in a quiet, darkish place, so that they can get over their shock. Many swear by Backs Rescue Remedy for traumatised chickens. It won't do any harm, if you have some to hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear about poor Lafonda and your other poorly girls . I have my fingers crossed for them both . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 So sorry what a shock. Hope they pick up but if you have to make that hard decision you will be doing it for the right reasons.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleOwl Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 No advice I'm afraid. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, and I so hope these two are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 What a horrible thing for you to be going through - thinking about your wee ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 Just took them to my own vet (who has chickens) and we decided the best thing for Hans was to be pts, she couldn't stand and looked very poorly. However he said Scarlett seems to be making a good recovery - she's had a good look round my house ! Quick question as she is now an only chick - when should I get her some friends? Obviously she needs to get better but don't want her to pine away if she is lonely. She is in my dog crate with lots of straw and a sleeping bag over it in the conservatory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 That is a shame. Sorry to hear it. I would leave Scarlet to recover for a week or so and then reassess whether she is well enough for company. Might be an idea to beef up your security whilst she is recovering indoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Oh I am so sorry, what a horrible time you've had Good luck with Scarlett and Egluntyne has a good point as always, Scarlett might need time to recover from the shock before bringing new girls in but it's a great idea, when both you AND Scarlett have recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 Thanks - there won't be any unsupervised exercise anyway, we let her stretch her legs earlier and she just followed us so maybe she is missing her sisters. I have been and warned my chicken keeping neighbours as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Sorry you lost the other You're right she'll need company when she has recovered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 I think Scarlett should be renamed Phoenix She seems to have made a remarkable recovery (fingers crossed), she is eating and drinking normally and even had dessert (grapes !) and has now resorted to pecking the crate door to be let out. So she is now roaming around the conservatory (it's quite big luckily) s"Ooops, word censored!"ing her beak along the wooden floor for her own amusement and pooing liberally - I'm so happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 What lovely news, I am really glad that she is making such great progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Phew really good news! Well done Scarlett!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 I am so pleased Scarlett is recovering, hope she is back to her normal self soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 5, 2010 Author Share Posted April 5, 2010 Thanks everyone - I know she's not out of the woods yet but it is so nice to see her preening and looking for treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
