[helskitchen]

The sole survivor of the fox attack is currently sat in my kitchen    He has been really quiet since the weekend, no cock-a-doodle-dooing and pecking about at all.  It would have been a horrible experience for him mentally and for all his hens to be killed 

We put him in with the other hens straight away, thinking that he would be happier around others, but he doesn't seem right.  I brought him into the kitchen and he is drinking quite a bit and I got him eating too, but he is still quiet and sort of sleepy looking. 

Can the shock from that sort of experience kill them off?  To tell you the truth we didnt expect him to be alive the morning after, but he has hung on so far.  Is there anything else I can do to help him?

[helskitchen]

Oh and his wattles and comb are still bright red and standing up.  But I do believe he is snoring 

[jameslindsay]

I think you just have to keep him quiet and calm. Hopefully the fact that he is eating and drinking are a good sign. Let's hope so anyway.

[crosser]

i really hope he pulls through ok...  im gutted that we lost all our hens and cockeral aswell...  he was such a character..  will be sadly missed..

[little blue]

good luck to your cockerel, hope its just shock

my friends' birds suffered an attack by a loose dog. The cockerel fought it to protect his girls, and went missing for a few days.  After they got him back, he became very defensive and more aggressive, even going for their own dog who he previously was fine with.

[NormandyMary]

From experience, yes shock can kill them quite easily, however I believe that if they survive for 24 hours after the attack, then you are in with a fighting chance. If your boy need a pick me up, try live yoghurt, mixed with honey, grated apple and porridge oats. He will LOVE it!

Good Luck.

[helskitchen]

From experience, yes shock can kill them quite easily, however I believe that if they survive for 24 hours after the attack, then you are in with a fighting chance. If your boy need a pick me up, try live yoghurt, mixed with honey, grated apple and porridge oats. He will LOVE it!

Good Luck.

Will try that, thank you!!!

[jaykay]

How's he doing? It does just sound as though he were 'punch-drunk' from the whole experience 

[helskitchen]

He is greedily drinking water this morning, if I hold the bowl for him (typical male patient!    ) and has had a bit to eat this morning, although not a lot is tempting him.  I put honey in the water and seems to love it.  He still looks listless though and miserable. 

Fox came again yesterday while we were inside in the evening, out of 25 hens we only have 5 left.  We have moved them into the garage in the hope of tricking the fox into thinking there are none left??!!  Don't know if this will work or not, but at least it will keep them safe 

[jaykay]

Does no-one near you shoot them?
Mr Cockerel sounds like he's improving and enjoying the TLC 

[helskitchen]

We don't know anyone round here that shoots, although have started asking around. 

Edward is still holding up, when he is drinking out of my bowl he feels quite strong now 

[helskitchen]

Hurrah, it has taken all this time, but Edward started crowing again this morning!  We collected some more egg farm death-row girls and put him in with them around a week ago, and for the first time since the fox attack he is cockadoodling away happily today (although he does sound a bit like an owl!).  I refused to give up on him even though it has been a long time now (thats me being stubborn again) and Darren said we ought to put him out of his misery.  Bless him, I am so chuffed!!   

[doganjo]

Glad to hear Edward is on the mend.  Just goes to show that sex is the best healer

[helskitchen]

Glad to hear Edward is on the mend.  Just goes to show that sex is the best healer

Surprising how a fella can perk up from being at deaths door at the promise of a bit of luvvin, reminds me of when my other half has manflu   

[Roxy]

Good to hear Edward has gone over his dreadful ordeal.  From experience,  I know it does take time for the hens to get over something like this.  No matter where you put the hens, once the fox has visited, he will keep coming back, so do not let your guard down.  It would be awful for poor Edward to go through this, and then the fox get him.