Girly Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 When I went to close the coop just as dusk was appearing my girls were still out and making a noise. As it wasn’t dark I was going to give them a handful of scratch before they turned in. But Hilda, my Black Marren, was laying in a heap halfway under the chicken wire. She must have decided to try and reach some grass and somehow pushed the wire away from the edge of the walk-in run. Loads of feathers and blood everywhere. I brought her into the house and saw that her skin under her wing and along her side is torn. She seemed quite calm and was breathing easily. My daughter is a bit of an animal whisperer! Anyway I phoned the local vets and what’s-apped photos of the hen. The vet said they didn’t have much to do with chickens and would probably only give painkillers and antibiotics. She advised me to contact a specialist exotics vet. At the moment Freda is sleeping peacefully in a cat box on a towel in the front room. I hope she makes it through the night. I know chickens are tough ole birds but I could cry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Poor Hilda - How is she this morning ? - Good luck in finding a vet that knows about chickens . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Thank you Well this morning I had a good look at her and as well as the injuries she had broken or dislocated her leg. I had no alternative but to get my friend to come and send her to chicken heaven. Today I’ve been re-pinning the wire. I think they must have picked the cable ties along the bottom of the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 So sorry to hear that xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Sorry to hear it. Chickens are great at healing superficial wounds but often struggle with shock, especially if there's a lot of blood loss. Definitely the right decision with a dislocated leg, but difficult all the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 So sorry, Girly. Traumatic all around. Thinking of you x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Girly this is horrid I’m so sorry to hear it. Well done for swiftly making the right decision and doing the best thing for your hen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 So sorry to read about what has happened Girly. You did your best for her and although sad, got her the treatment she needed xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flopsy Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Sorry to read this sad story Girly 😥 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Thank you both. The one thing I couldn’t do today was roast the chicken I’d bought for dinner. I made fresh burgers instead. Silly I know.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
