autodoor light sensor questions

[Happily]

we have taken in a rescue chicken that was found roaming around and no-one claimed her. We already have 4 pekins and I knew it might be a risk to introduce a lone chicken but she had no-one to take her in so thought we would try. We have kept her seperated from the others and to be honest none of them seemed very interested in her so I thought I would let her free range with them. They were ok for a bit but then two of them cornered her and were being quite vicious although no blood has been drawn. My husband rescued her quickly and thought she was dead as she was floppy and not moving. I held her for a bit and she perked up but stayed asleep.

 

She is now back in isolation and is standing up but asleep with her head down, I can't get her to eat or drink and she will wake up if I touch her but then falls back asleep in seconds. I don't know what to do and am afraid she will die. I don't know if I should bring her in as I don't want to cause her more distress. At the mo she is in a cat carrier with straw and a warm towel with access to food and water.

 

Please help - she looks like a sultan bantam but we are not sure if that helps with advice x

[Redwing]

How long ago did the attack happen?

 

She needs sark and warmth in a quiet spot, a cardboard box would be best if you have one (cut ventilation slits in it) failing that put a tea towel over the front of the carrier and place it in a quiet warm place, if the attack happened today then leave her till at least this evening before trying her with some water and food but she could actually go till tomorrow morning with no water if she really isn't interested today, sleep is her best friend in a shock situation so if in doubt leave her

 

Try to tempt her with some mixed corn soaked in water when she is ready, it's an easy way of getting water in to her if she won't drink

 

Don't force her to drink

 

If she is going to die then that will happen whether you are watching her or not, she needs the quiet to rest

[Happily]

it happened about an hour ago, I have left her in the warmth and dark of her box, she seems ok apart from being asleep and will keep an eye on her. we will bring her inside tonight and hope she is feeling better tomorrow.

 

Thanks for replying.

[Redwing]

Bring thebox in to a warm room in the house now if you are able to, that will really benefit her

[Happily]

will do, thanks x

[WitchHazel]

Can't offer any advice, but I did want to say well done for rescuing her (both in the first instance, and when she was being bullied). Hope she pulls through xxx

[Happily]

Thanks I have had her indoors in the dark and just went to check on her and she has perked right up now , will keep her in tonight and then hopefully tomorrow she can go back outside seperate from the other girls. I think we will be taking the intros very slowly now.

[Cheeky Chooky]

Bless her. Glad she's perked up

[gongladosh]

We had similar with a chicken of fate that we rescued - she was very frightened and during the rescue she went into shock and went floppy -we were worried that we'd killed her while trying to help her!

 

We put her in a box with some corn and tiny bit of water, in a warm dark room and despite all temptation, left her alone overnight. The next day we put her in her own eglu and she ran straight into the coop. As soon as she saw our other hens hanging about, she came straight back out...

 

It took a long time to merge her in (single immature bantam in with two grown hybrids, on their territory) but after about 3 months and a very slow approach to merging they were fine. She still gets pecked from time to time (nothing too bad), but it's because she's the bottom hen, not because she's unwelcome. When merging, take it slowly, and the hens themselves will tell you when they're all ready.

 

They're all happy pottering about together as a rule now.