Dog Attack. advice needed

Hi Gemma, Georgie is probably still tramatized and a bit sressed but she will pull threw chickens are tough animals I know from first hand experience. When I first got my girls home I accedently steped on one of my girls I thought she was going to die but withun acouple of minutes she was up runing around with her syblings and is actually the friendlest girl I have right now. Im glad Harri and Gracie are doing better, just keep your chin up darlin they will pull threw. :mrgreen:
 
Next update!

So today marks a week since the attack, and I'm pleased to say that all the girls have pulled through. (touch wood!)

The original 4 are back to normal - Georgie even pulled rank over Henri earlier, so I assume she's feeling better!

Harri seems okay too, although she heads off to bed early now. she took a dirt bath earlier - ignoring my scolding since i'd spent all week trying to keep her cut clean! still, if she can rub it around in the dirt, i've got to assume its not bothering her at all and will leave her to it!

Gracie spent all day with her sister Maggie. Mag's has left her sore bits alone which is great, and they settled into the grass together for a sunbathe.

the only problem came at bedtime. poor Gracie couldn't get into the coop (she tried to jump up, but couldn't manage!) I was watching closely since I thought that might happen (DH suggested we let her try and get 'back to normal') and scooped her up. she's back in the 'hospital coop' for the night and we'll try again tomorrow night.

I go back to work tomorrow, so will be leaving Gracie in with Mags for the day, and will only be able to check in them when I get back home. it will be the first day I've not been able to check on them every couple of hours or so, since the attack, so I'm a little nervous. I'm so silly!!

I managed to take a look at Gracie's cut earlier too (she's started cleaning herself again, so I assume she's less sore since she's moving about a bit more freely) and it's healing over. Chickens heal so quickly!! its an ugly, jagged mend, but as long as the scar tissue doesn't restrict her movement I really don't care.

This has been a hard week and I'm so glad its over. This time last week I was honestly considering putting all three out of their misery. But now, I'm so glad I stuck with them. chickens are so much stronger than they appear, and their response to the basic treatment they've received has been amazing.

I just hope I'm not jumping the gun by saying I think they are all past the danger stage now and will recover almost entirely. <3
 
Wonderful news, GemmaEllen, they certainly couldn't have had better care, you've nursed them through it so well. I think the amazing capacity to heal fast is probably present in most poultry. When I hatched quails, the boys would often tear chinks out of the girls' heads, feathers and skin, because they hang on with their beaks when aggressively mating and get thrown off by the female, and don't let go. I had one I thought would be blind after an attack that scalped her, but it did heal over within a couple of weeks, though she kept the scar for life.
 
Another positive update today!

I'm going to stop talking about our 4 original girls, since they are back to normal (Except for Harri's cut - but that's healing up and not bothering her, so I've stopped treating now - especially since she's determined to take a dust bath whether I like it or not!)

Gracie has got herself into her own bed for the past 2 nights, and Maggie has been thrilled to snuggle in with her again. Her cut is healing over, and the purple spray is beginning to look patchy, so I'm inclined to leave her and see how she gets on with it now. Its so lovely having the 2 of them back together again!



The pair the day before the attack, Helping DH extend the coop!


Mags the saturday before the dog attack (I love this picture!)


Gracie the day before the attack.(she always looks like an old lady!)


The two of them, tucked up in the nesting box together, ready for bed (you can see poor Gracie's bald spot! the dark patches are the purple spray)
 
Just caught up with this & read from the beginning.

Goodness GemmaEllen you've had quite an introduction to the world of chooks & what a terrible thing to have happen but you've done so well looking after them. So glad to hear that they're all doing well after all your care. Aren't they lucky chooks to have you! :-)08
 
Just a quick post as I never really let anyone know how we ended up.

Gracie made a full recovery and is a very happy, healthy chicken! She has a wing that she doesn't use (which sometimes puts her off balance) but other than that, she's the same friendly little thing she always was.

I looked at the pics posted above and hardly recognised her - after a year, she and her sister Maggie are plump and glossy. Maggie's comb is a bit 'free-willy' in that it never really stands erect (I think it might be from the cages - she does press her comb into the chicken wire if we are late to let them out)

But after nearly a year out in the sunshine, they are perfect.

Just thought I'd finish the story, in case anyone else has similar problems. even with the amount of skin she lost, and the tough few weeks she went through, it was worth not putting her down. Chickens are tough creatures and you'll be amazed at what they can survive with the right care and effort. :D
 
Hello Gemma,
I've just read your very touching post from beginning to end.
So glad all your girls are fine, some girls like yours are very tough and resilient, and pull through whatever the attack.
Just a little tip about instant on-the-spot injury advice, human Germolene is a wonder chicken healer, it worked for one of mine with horrendous (chicken) attack head injuries, bone exposed completely, flaps folded back, but eventually it healed perfectly.
She came through the physical injuries completely.
So glad your girls are all well and happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top