Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[beach chick]

Chardonnay, my oldest girl, came through the fox attack 10 days ago. she was very shocked, and a bit 'off' ever since, but today is the first time I've been able to get hold of her (so she is pretty mobile!). eating, drinking, just a bit hunched.

 

anyway, I finally got hold her today, and have found 2 healing wounds, one sort of where her wing joins the body and the other a bit lower down towards her bum. I have trimmed them both clear of feathers so I could have a better look, and they are well-scabbed, one a bit better than the other, but I would say they are healing up well. She's also got a daggy bum, so I've trimmed that as well - could be shock, could be she needs worming, more worried about the wounds.

 

to be on the safe side, I now have her in the broody coop so I can keep a close eye on her. should I do anything else, eg try and clean the wounds a bit (seems a bit late...) and if so would salt water do or should I try and get some chicken antiseptic? - and if so what does anyone recommend? should I try and remove more feathers? I dont want to pull the scabs off if they are healing up properly as I think this would be painful and could open her to more infection, or leave her with an open wound which the others would go for. I do have some baytril, but again it seems a bit late for antibiotics.

 

I really dont think she needs the vet, I think she'll come through without because she's made it this far, and weighing up the stress of a vet trip against peace and quiet in the broody cage, I think she's better where she is.

 

any advice anyone please?? (not posting and running, got to head to school for youngest's leavers' assembly now...)

[Jools]

One of my RIR decided to explore the garden a month or so ago and unfortunately she met my terriers (and lived to tell the tale!) so I recognise those symptoms!

 

If there's no sign of infection by now, I'd leave well alone. If there's a doubt, you could try lifting a corner of a scab and press gently to see if any puss comes out. If there is infection (which I think is unlikely at this stage), she will probably need the vet for antibiotics.

 

Mine had a daggy bum (aka dirty knickers) too, so I kept her trimmed (and added Herban to the water). It's more or less cleared up now and she's laying again, but I do think it was just a reaction to the shock of it all.

 

If the others haven't been pecking her wounds, I wouldn't separate her as this will be stressful too.

 

She sounds like a strong thing to survive the fox, so hopefully she's well on the road to recovery now.

[The Dogmother]

If the wounds look dry and aren't hot, red or swollen, I'd leave them be.

[beach chick]

great, thanks for that. I will release her from the broody coop then!!

[beach chick]

actually decided to keep her under lock and key for a day or so - broody coop is in the run so she is not excluded, and all the 'old' girls sit up near her anyway. I think a bit of enforced rest for a couple of days might help her heal better. plus I can keep an eye on her bottom!!

[Jools]

You're best placed to make the call and it's good she's in sight and sound of the others so they remember who she is!