sadietoo Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Ok so Attie survived unscathed physically from her encounter with the fox yesterday, but the poor little girl is in shock. She won't eat or drink and is just standing around in the far corner of the cube (under the cube). I have brought her in (she doesn't really like being handled but was amazingly placid this morning...that's how shocked she is!) and given her some nutridrops and offered her treats but she is having none of it. I've put her back out in the run and put a coop cup of water and food at the end of the run where she is hiding is there anything else I should be doing for her? As ever the timing is awful, as I would have brought her in for the day (but not sure that with her that wouldn't stress her even more) , but it is my daughter's graduation in Exeter tomorrow and so we are leaving this afternoon and not back until Thursday evening. I have a friend coming in to collect eggs and feed the cat but she isn't experienced with chooks and I don't think I can ask anything else of her.... Most worried about the not drinking thing.......anyone had any similar experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Sorry to hear about your poor girl. As you say, these things always seem to happen at the worst times, but I would still be tempted to bring her indoors and keep her warm and quiet, with food and water, and let nature take its course one way or another. You can't force her to eat, but you could try giving her some Nutridrops. Also, Bach's Rescue Remedy is supposed to help with shock, so it may be worth a try if you have got some or can get hold of some. I hope she recovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 Tweety thank you for your reply. Things have moved on since my first post this morning. I found that the fox had indeed made a hole in Attie..but unbelievably no blood! As I type she is at the vets. If she survives the shock, the anaesthetic, and has no further internal damage (they can't look until they've anaesthetised her) then hopefully she has a reasonable chance..., and my lovely vet has agreed to keep her in the wildlife area of the practice until we're home on Thursday so she'll get all the treatment she needs.I'm keeping everything I've got crossed. I can't believe I missed it last night poor little sausage.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her too. At least you can go away knowing that she is in the safest hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Hoping things went well for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Awww, poor chicky. At least she will be in safe hands while you are gone. What a nice vet you have offering such a good service. I hope you enjoy the Graduation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Fingers crossed xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 We could do with more great vets that know about chickens and care enough ..I would keep his address secret if i was you I am sure she will be well cared for .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 my lovely vet has agreed to keep her in the wildlife area of the practice until we're home on Thursday so she'll get all the treatment she needs.I'm keeping everything I've got crossed. I can't believe I missed it last night poor little sausage.. That's great news, and a relief to know she will get the best attention and care. What a great vet's practice you have Hope your girl is much better when you pick her up to take her home! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grier Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I had a fox catch my cockerel years ago, which resulted in my Mum running up the garden after it. The fox dropped Colin, but similarly, he had puncture wounds around his neck. Mum took him straight to the vets, but I don't remember what they did for him, presumably cleaned up the wounds and maybe gave him something for shock? I think he was quiet for a while after that. I would have been tempted to keep him warm, dark and quiet, the three golden rules for birds. If she's still acting shocked, hopefully the vets have given her something for this, and maybe an appetite stimulant. You could drop some water into her beak if she's still refusing water. When chickens get ill, I often find they get fussy, so you may need do wean her back onto her normal diet, using Complan, mealworms, cake, whatever you can think of! It often works for me. I really hope she's made it, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed, along with everyone else! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Happy Update!!! Yay, we are home, Attie is doing very well, although having settled up with the vets she is now Gold Plated . She is currently living under our kitchen table (only place we could think of to put wire around last night after picking her up from the vets). The wound is healing nicely, but she is on mega antibiotics at the moment, thankfully these haven't stopped her eating and drinking well... I am so happy to have her home again!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 That is very good news - what a relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Well done you!!!! What good news! It'll be nice when you can return her to her flock and enjoy seeing them all doing chickeny stuff!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grier Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Lucky old you for having such a helpful vet who know what they're doing with poultry, that's certainly not to sniffed at! I don't remember if you posted your whereabouts, it's not the westcountry by any chance is it???! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 Lucky old you for having such a helpful vet who know what they're doing with poultry, that's certainly not to sniffed at! I don't remember if you posted your whereabouts, it's not the westcountry by any chance is it???! Sorry Grier, we're in Sussex. They don't profess to be poultry experts, but my general feeling is they are getting better with poultry...a couple keep their own chooks and I think they are seeing more and more chickens in the surgery. I suppose (and please don't shout at me all at once!) that most vets that have expertise with chickens probably serve largely middle-class communities where chickens are seen first as pets and second for their eggs and so the owners are prepared to have the treatment rather than just despatch a poorly girl? Don't know...just very glad that they could help me with my little flower, who is tucking into breakfast as I type! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
