Fox Attack

*This post contains graphics photos.*

We live outside city limits, but not too far. Our backyard is next to some wooded area. I’ve known that there were risks to letting my flock free range, but I felt like they were pretty safe when I was home and able to watch them.

Here is Jade several months before her injury showing off her custom made saddle:

On Christmas Eve, I let my flock out to roam the yard after lunch time like I always do. I knew I would be home all day and we would have a lot of company over so I felt like the risk of having an attack from a wild animal was slim. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and of all days, on Christmas Eve.

I just so happened to walk and look out the window at just the right time. I saw something holding a chicken in its mouth. At that moment, I screamed and yelled “FOX”. My husband heard and right then went to grab a gun. For some reason, I grabbed a broom and went running outside barefoot. I didn’t get far before my husband shot at the fox. The fox dropped my hen and I took off after her.

I found her in a puddle of cold water bleeding. By the looks of it, I didn’t think she was going to live long. I carried her back to the house to examine her and from what I could tell at that point, was that her wing was damaged badly.

I immediately wrapped her in a towel and put her in the garage to rest. Shock can kill a chicken quickly so I knew she needed to be alone for a while.

Every time I worry about my chickens, I reach out to my friends on a Facebook group called “Chicken Butts and Crazy Clucks”. They have helped me learn about chickens so much! If you own chickens, this is the group you want to be in for advice (and you will need advice eventually)!

Here is the link to their group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1133694943320922/?ref=share

The photos coming up involve an injured chicken and blood.

With advice from fellow chicken lovers, I got a solution they call Dakin’s and began spraying it on her wound three times a day. After two days, she began to smell horrible. I suspected that her wound was probably getting infected. I could tell that her wing was definitely broken and that I wasn’t going to be able to wrap it in hopes of it healing. I knew what needed to be done but I couldn’t stomach the idea of trying to do it myself. That wing needed to be amputated.

Luckily, I was able to find a vet that would help chickens. Three days after the attack, I took her in and had the wing amputated. To my surprise, she did remarkable and looks so much better!

Pictures after the wing amputation:

Today is day one after the surgery and she is still doing great. I foresee her making a full recovery and those feathers covering that bald patch in no time.

I will be custom making her a new saddle soon. Once it’s done, I’ll update this post.