Caring For Chickens After A Dog Attack

If your chicken has been attacked by a dog, it is important to remain calm and assess the situation. Firstly, separate the wounded chicken from the rest of the flock to prevent further injury from pecking. Keep the bird warm and comfortable, and provide it with food and water if it seems to want them. It is crucial to stop any bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Once the bleeding has stopped, carefully clean and dress the wound with an antibiotic ointment, being mindful to avoid products with the suffix '-caine'. Monitor the chicken closely for signs of infection or emotional distress, as chickens can be traumatized by such events. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian for professional advice and treatment.

Separate the chicken from the flock to avoid pecking

When a chicken is injured, it is important to separate it from the flock to avoid further injury from pecking. Chickens will peck at wounds, especially if they are red and visible, which can make the injury much worse. Even if the injury is minor, the risk of infection is high if other chickens continue to peck at it.

To prevent this, isolate the injured chicken in a quiet, clean space away from the rest of the flock. This could be inside a dog crate, rabbit hutch, or small cage placed inside or adjacent to the run, so the chicken still feels like part of the flock. If possible, provide a soft litter material such as pine shavings or a soft towel for the chicken to rest on. Keeping the chicken warm is also important to prevent shock, which can be just as deadly as the wound itself.

If the injury is visible, consider using a blu-tinted topical treatment to disguise the red colour of the wound. Products like Blu Kote can help minimise pecking by making the wound less noticeable to the other chickens. However, some sources suggest that dying a chicken's skin and feathers may not effectively deter pecking and can sometimes have the opposite effect, drawing unwanted attention to the injured bird.

If you choose not to use a blu-tinted treatment, closely supervise the injured chicken when returning it to the flock. Keep the chicken separated until the wound has healed completely to avoid further pecking. If the other chickens continue to peck at the injured bird, you may need to separate them for a few days to disrupt the pecking order and reduce bullying behaviour.

Remember to provide the injured chicken with access to food and water, and consider adding electrolytes to their water for a day or two to help with any shock from the injury. Keep a close eye on the chicken's recovery and watch for any signs of infection.

Keep the chicken warm to prevent shock

After a dog attack, it is important to keep your chicken warm to prevent shock. Firstly, separate your wounded chicken from the rest of the flock. Other chickens may peck at the injured chicken, making the problem worse.

The chicken should be kept in a quiet, clean, and calm environment, away from the sound of dogs. Bring the chicken inside, into a spare bathroom, basement, or garage. A dog kennel or cat carrier can also be used to keep the chicken warm. Make sure the chicken is comfortable, with soft litter material such as pine shavings or a soft towel.

If the temperature is dropping, take extra precautions to ensure the chicken stays warm. The chicken should remain in this recovery space until it is fully healed.

Additionally, provide the chicken with electrolytes to help with any shock from the injury. Add a vitamin/electrolyte supplement to the chicken's drinking water for a day or two. However, do not give chickens electrolytes for more than three days, as it can have the opposite of the intended effect.

Wash the wound with sterile saline solution

When caring for a wounded chicken, it is important to separate the bird from the rest of the flock. This is because chickens will peck at wounds, which can cause further harm to the injured bird. The wounded chicken should be kept in a quiet, warm, and clean space away from other chickens.

To care for the wound, it is important to first stop any bleeding. This can be done by applying gentle but firm pressure to the wound using a clean towel, gauze, or paper towel. Once the bleeding has stopped, the wound should be washed with a sterile saline solution. If you do not have access to sterile saline solution, you can use one of the following alternatives:

• Betadine diluted with sterile saline to the color of weak black tea
• Hypochlorus acid solution
• Warm water and regular soap

When washing the wound, gently remove any dead tissue and foreign materials, such as dirt or debris, from the wound. You may need to trim or pluck feathers in the vicinity of the wound to prevent interference with healing. Be careful not to remove any newly emerging pin feathers.

After cleaning the wound, you can apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. Do not use anything containing the suffix '-caine', such as benzocaine or lidocaine, as these can be harmful to chickens.

It is important to carefully monitor the chicken for any signs of infection or shock. Chickens that survive an animal attack may initially appear unharmed but could get very sick several days later due to infection. Signs of infection may include redness, swelling, or discharge at the wound site. If the chicken appears to be in shock, keep it warm and provide it with frequent access to water, even if this means offering water by spoon or dropper.

Stop any bleeding with gauze and firm pressure

When treating a wounded chicken, it is important to remain calm and composed. Firstly, separate the wounded chicken from the rest of the flock, as they may peck at the wound and make the injury worse. It is also important to keep the bird warm to avoid shock, which can be fatal.

To stop any bleeding, use a clean towel, gauze, or paper towel to apply gentle but firm pressure to the wound. It is recommended to wear vinyl gloves when treating open wounds. Maintain this pressure until the bleeding stops. If the wound is not too deep, you can apply a blood stop powder to the injury.

If the bleeding does not stop after applying pressure, you may need to seek veterinary assistance. It is important to monitor the bird for signs of infection and keep it in a quiet, warm, and safe space, separate from the rest of the flock.

Reintroduce the chicken to the flock when it's eating, drinking and pooing

Once your wounded chicken is eating, drinking, and pooing, you can start thinking about reintroducing it to the flock. However, there are a few things to consider before doing so. Firstly, make sure that the chicken is no longer at risk of being pecked by the other chickens. Chickens will naturally peck at wounds, especially if they are red, so ensure that the wound is covered and not visible to the other chickens. You can use a blu-tinted topical treatment to cover up the redness of the wound and make it less appealing for the other chickens to peck at.

Additionally, check that the chicken is no longer bleeding and that the wound is clean and free of infection. Keep the chicken warm to avoid shock, as this can be dangerous even if the wound itself is not severe. Provide the chicken with a quiet, clean, and calm space away from the sound of dogs or other predators. A dog kennel or cat carrier in a garage or basement can be a good option.

If you have any concerns or are unsure about how to proceed, it is always best to consult a veterinarian. They can provide professional advice and guidance on how to care for your wounded chicken and ensure a safe reintroduction to the flock.

Overall, take your time with the reintroduction process, and ensure that your chicken is healthy, comfortable, and safe before returning it to the flock.

Frequently asked questions