[little bo peep]

I lost one hen 6 days ago to Mrs Fox (the sheep rubbing on my run so hard separated it from the house) but the others seemed fine, now a young Maran (1yr old) is looking very off colour, standing still, eyes closing, not eating or drinking, can't find any obvious injury, comb, eyes look ok, crop feels fairly empty, very subdued. have put her on her own for now. Any ideas what I can offer her, or what this might be. Should I give her fluids by syringe if she's not drinking on her own. Wondering if the fox did some unseen damage?

She hasn't laid for a couple of days could it be egg bound? Tail is down but doesn't appear to be straining.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

She is probably in shock. Why not give her some warm waster with honey in and a lot of tlc, plus maybe get a companion for her. I had this happen 2 years ago, sadly she died. Sorry that's not much help
I hope all goes well, please keep us updated. What about moving her to another place. I hate foxes  , because of them we have had poor lambing over the past few years, however this year we were amazed to see tons and tons of lambs, because we moved the sheep up to the farm.

[chrismahon]

I agree with shock. You may need to hand feed softened balls of crushed pellets but the most important thing is plenty of water by syringe as far down the neck as possible because they can choke. When they are dehydrated the skin goes wrinkly, so easy to spot. Not sure about honey. They have a low tolerance of sugar (and salt) and could die from that. Companion is good because it will encourage her to eat and drink on her own. Pick a hen low in the pecking order though.

[little bo peep]

Thanks all, very helpful, I was wondering if it could be shock but thought perhaps not several days later but it makes sense as I can find no other symptoms. I will put her sister with her and try all you've said, I have been giving her water by syringe, offered hard boiled egg and even blueberries which she normally loves but she doesn't want to know so I'll keep you posted.

Watching all the baby lambs very carefully and they are in at night, we've had some late lambing and don't want Mrs Fox back for a try at them!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Why not also build a dogs pen near to where the hens are and have a few dogs to alert you to the fox and also to warn it away. One reason why the fox leaves us alone is because we have three dogs to scare it out of its wits.

[ladyK]

I find Bach Rescue Remedy very useful for shock/stress.
You could put it in her water.

[little bo peep]

Thanks all, however effective it might turn out to be, I don't think I'll be building a dog pen down there or getting more dogs, one is enough and he does enjoy a good chase after the fox!

She is looking slightly better and has picked at a few small bits of food today, having her sister with her definitely helped so thanks for that advice, they both escaped the hospital unit I made today so for this evening are back with the rest, but I'll just keep a close eye on her tomorrow. My mum actually said why not try a few drops of brandy in her water, so I thought I'd try just a tiny bit, hasn't killed her anyway, but rescue remedy might have been a more sensible thought! I use it all the time for the kids!

Thanks again I will keep you posted.

[chrismahon]

Our vet told me to try half an aspirin as a one-off treatment. That's the smallest ones that are actually difficult to find. So I tried that and the turnaround in the hen was amazing.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I am glad she is feeling better, I expect it was just trauma or shock which made her like that.

[little bo peep]

She is in with the others still looking a bit dazed and off colour, not sure if she's drinking enough so, I will try the asprin. All you an do is try everything 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Absolutely right. By the way how old is she?

[little bo peep]

She is only a year old, a cuckoo Maran, hatched last June.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I had a maran only she was a black copper maran, also she was didn't look right when we got her, then went downhill and died, also she got taken by the fox too, when she was alive, because she was weak. I haven't had fox problems in over 3 years, with chickens that is.

[little bo peep]

Thanks for all the messages, I have taken all the advice and she is looking fine now thank goodness, so thank again.

Only problem is she, and one other hen have not laid since the fox raid, any ideas, or should I just be more patient.

[chrismahon]

We took some survivors in after a fox raid and they didn't lay for three months LBP.