[Burrwoodfm]

Hi all.  I am after some urgent help.  With have a problem with one of our hens.  My husband miss counted when he put the chickens away last night, and one was roosting, unbeknown to us in the geese house.  He put the geese away, and the poor little chicken was not found until this morning by me.  She has been ever so badly beaten up.  Nearly all the feathers on her back have been ripped out and she is red raw.  She has head injuries, with her comb being badly torn, and her face is black and blue, with blood seeping out of her nose.  I rushed her to the vet, who were a little at a loss what to do. She has stood up once, and is opening her eyes now and then.  The vet and I managed to get her to drink some water, as I was worried she would be badly dehydrated after being chased around all night.  The vet has given her an antibiotic just in case, and also a pain killer, and she will be getting a pain killer top up tomorrow also.  I have her in the house in a linen basket lined with towels.  I have covered the wounds on her back with damp cotton wool, as the vet said to keep it moist and cool to hep her. 
What else can I do?  I am planning to syringe small amounts of water to her every hour today, to keep her hydrated.  I have read somewhere that cloudy apple cider vinegar is a wonderful natural tonic for stressed chickens.  Has anyone used this, and if so, do you feed it neat, or in water??  What about feeding her?  I need something she will find appetising, and is easy for her to eat - maybe soft, to try to temp her.  Any help is much appreciated.
Thank you 

[darkbrowneggs]

I find Bach's Rescue Remedy is helpful in this sort of case.  You can just add a few drops to her drinking water, and any water you syringe into her
 
Live mealworms generally tempt even the most stressed after they begin to recover a little, but for now I would think calm and quiet rest will be the best cure with just a little water syringed in if you really feel it necessary
 
Chopped hardboiled egg is a good pick-me-up as well, and a little seeding chickweed to pick at.

[kegs]

I agree.  If she's been awake all night then sleep will do her good.  Cover any cuts with gentian purple violet before you put her back with the chickens to disguise the red (it's an antiseptic too).  You could try and tempt her with the pellets made into a porridge with warm water and mealworms which might help.  I hope she recovers soon.   

[in the hills]

I read somewhere that cat food, canned or sachet, was good for poorly hens. Also hard boiled egg - mashed.


   Hope she recovers.

[Burrwoodfm]

Thanks so much everyone.  I am just letting her sleep it off at the moment, and dribbling water into her mouth every hour or so.  She looks really black and blue on her face, bless her.  I think she was very lucky that the geese did not break her neck. 
Going to try a selection of things to tempt her to eat a little later on, and am looking for some of the things you all mentioned also.  Someone also told me electrolytes ?? Anyone tried that?  Have given up on the apple cider vinegar, as I can't find the cloudy one anywhere, only clear!
Sending my husband out for mealworms later, and will make him hand feed them to her as punishment (he is a vegetarian you see, so will find that task very stressful! lol)
The vet has told me to keep her back moist, so we have damp cotton wool to help with the inflammation at the moment.  In 48 hours we need to replace that with some kind of antiseptic cream - I was thinking of trying Sudocream - works for my kids?? Anyone ever tried that on chickens, failing that savlon, E45 or the other alternative suggested was honey? 

[kegs]

Haven't tried it myself but I know someone who used Sudocream on their chickens so certainly try it.  Also, the apple cider vinegar has got to have bits in it and you should be able to get it from an Equine supplier if there's one near you, or possible some farm shops.  Not sure about the electrolyte as I was recommended to try that when one of my hens was constantly laying soft shelled eggs so I don't think it would help your chicken who needs plenty of TLC.


I've just done a quick search about chickens in shock and the electrolyte was suggested when a chicken isn't drinking at all.  It was suggested adding a sugar solution to water to help with shock.
http://www.littlehenrescue.co.uk/Pages/Medicaladvice.aspx

[Burrwoodfm]

Thank you so much - really appreciated.  She's had a tiny bit of kibble, and turned her nose up at egg and fresh peas with pasta.  She is taking water though, and opened her eyes and stood up for a little while.  I think she has perked up a little - but you never know with chickens - one moment they can be alive and you think they are ok, and the next they drop dead!! 

[omnipeasant]

I think time and tlc is the only chance in these cases. Hope she has the will to live. Kind thoughts are sent her way.

[animalcrackers]

i have also heard cat food is a great help. terramycin spray works well as a spray on an injury

[Rosemary]

Hope she gets better    - she's certainly in good hands 

[Mammyshaz]

Try warming her food or drink up slightly. If she is bruised and bled from her nostrils her sense of smell won't be so good . Warmed feed enhances the smell and temptation.

Hibiscrub antiseptic cleaning solution followed by Vaseline to keep wounds clean and moist could help.

Glucose water for shock and a bit of energy, and definitely pain relief and antibiotic

Arnica cream can  help with bruising in other animals but unsure of it's use in poultry, worth checking out if she is badly bruised.

Cannot think of anything else that hasn't already been mentioned by others. Just wish you and henny good luck  hope things improve soon 

[Bramblecot]

Did your poorly hen make it?  I hope so  .  Mine love grapes - they contain water and sugar if nothing else.

[Burrwoodfm]

so far so good  , but I know chickens can suddenly take a turn for the worse! We are still spoiling her in our kitchen, but think tomorrow, if it is dry she might be well enough for an hour scratch in her pen outside. Thank you so much everyone. 

[Lync]

    Hi How is chook doing?   Having read most of the replies I'd agree with the comments and suggestions so far.  Arnica is a real healer, what about calendula cream also.   As for food and water - some sugar in the water might help.  Live maggots, chopped tomatoes and grapes.  Do hope she is recovering and good luck.

[Pedwardine]

Bless you for your dedication where someone else may have broken her neck at such awful injuries. I feel sure that animals of all kinds know when we're trying to help them and have the will to fight on if we do. Wishing you all the best of luck with her.