Pit bull goes after neighbor then my chickens...

[Scottgreatkids]

Neighbor hit him with a board so he came over here and got to one of my Red Sexlink hens, tore out some feathers and broke one of her shanks. Green twig break but it bends under weight. treated broken skin with antibiotic ointment then wrapped with blue athletic foam and cotton tape and added some plastic pipe halves as splints, the splint will rotate m(not too tight) but her foot is swollen. Not huge but larger than the other foot.

Anyone with experience? Should I do more to treat it?

Also I didn't put antibiotics on her back where there is an abrasion because I don't want her eating it. Again, advice on this?

Thanks for the info.

Scott

 

[ten chicks]

Neighbor hit him with a board so he came over here and got to one of my Red Sexlink hens, tore out some feathers and broke one of her shanks. Green twig break but it bends under weight. treated broken skin with antibiotic ointment then wrapped with blue athletic foam and cotton tape and added some plastic pipe halves as splints, the splint will rotate m(not too tight) but her foot is swollen. Not huge but larger than the other foot.

Anyone with experience? Should I do more to treat it?

Also I didn't put antibiotics on her back where there is an abrasion because I don't want her eating it. Again, advice on this?

Thanks for the info.

Scott

Leg/foot will be swollen from fracture,just make sure you do not have it tied too tight. The wound on leg,has to be cleaned daily,watch for infection. You could try soaking her leg in an epsom salt bath,this is great for swelling/sprains/sore muscles and for cleaning. Clean wound on back daily,use a saline solution or if puncture wounds,clean initially with a diluted peroxide solution.

For pain,you can purchase metacam from a vet or give her a aspirin,either low dose(81mg) or reg (325mg),dose is 25mg per lb of body weight,crush and place in water or sprinkle over feed or give orally(wrap in a pce of cheese or meat).

give her electrolytes for shock,keep her warm and quiet. Make sure she is eating/drinking.

I am concerned about the violence of your neighbor,hitting any animal with a board is abuse,is it possible for you to talk to him/her or report this person if abusive behavior continues.

 

[BantamLover21]

It sounds like you're doing everything I would if the same thing had happened to me. The only thing I can add is that, if you haven't already, make sure she is kept isolated away from any other birds; otherwise, they could make the injury worse. Put her in a clean, well bedded place, without a roost. Make sure feed and water are within easy reach, and perhaps put some vitamins/electrolytes or probiotics in the water to help with stress.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

The way I read the title, the pit bull went after the neighbor and then he hit it with a board?

If that's the case, someone needs to call animal control ASAP. That sounds like a tragedy just waiting to happen.

And I agree, it sounds like you're doing everything you can for your poor hen.

 

[Scottgreatkids]

I am concerned about the violence of your neighbor,hitting any animal with a board is abuse,is it possible for you to talk to him/her or report this person if abusive behavior continues.

Thanks for the info, as for violence, howfunkyisurchechicken got it right, it was not the person but the dog, he was 70+ lbs and the neighbor was 70+ years old. The dog had to be put down, no collar, not neutered and aggressive. Bad owners are the problem. It made us sick for a couple of days.

I will add aspirin to the diet today, I am giving electrolytes to help with shock and thankfully she is eating, drinking and pooping good. She has a "sister" that has been sitting with her for protection in the coop. I love chickens! The Rooster "Leo" is even being hospitable to all involved.

Thank you all for you input! I will post in a week or so her outcome.

Scott

 

[Scottgreatkids]

Update for my hen.

Not many people can say they went at it with a pit bull and came out ok, especially and 4 pound hen.

Here are a couple of pics of the healing. The feathers are coming in shockingly well. She is limping a bit on her leg but she is get along much better than day one.

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Thanks for the info. No antibiotics were used for fear of her eating it. Electrolytes and 81mg aspirin in one quart of water. Splint made from some plastic conduit, sports wrap and medical tape.

 

[Sarevan]

She looks wonderful, so glad she is doing so well.

 

[ten chicks]

Excellent job on emergency care! Wounds/fracture look great.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Great job!

 

[Scottgreatkids]

A couple more pictures with the splint off and her almost back to normal.

A side note, I have six hens and one rooster, before the attack there were three distinct groups from three different purchases. During the day the three groups would do their own thing and ignore the others. After the attack they all seven stick together like glue. Next to no squabbles either. Five are Buff Orpingtons (the rooster and one hen are not the super sweet ones I have read about) and two red sex links. I think in the future if I am having flock problems I am going to dress up in a costume and scare em' real bad, LOL (not really for those of you with soft hearts). Yes I am.

The old skin on the leg came off with the splint, it was damaged in the attack and I put neosporine on it before splinting, I did not take the splint off and on during the two weeks, I just left it to heal making sure she ate, drank and slept normally.

I didn't take the splint off till there was no limping, 16 days. I was told two weeks and we decided to leave it till we didn't see any limp.

Taking the splint off was easy on her and I let her watch. When I set her down she had a little limp but it was gone in a couple of hours.


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