Urgent advice - hens

[Dolcé]

Sorry, I know this isn't horsey but really need advice quick!

We had our first fox attack yesterday through the day, it killed have of our flock and has left three in a state of bad shock. They are just stood or laid with their head drooped onto floor, or in the bantams case bent underneath himself. They won't eat or drink, although have taken rescue remedy so we will try to give them drops of water with the dropper.

What should we do with the chucks to help their chances of surviving? We have brought them home to keep them warm and have put them in dark boxes. Desperate for help, the three in shock have such personality, we can't bear to lose any more.

 

[NeverSayNever]

oh dear poor you... i lost all mine last year the same way.

firstly, fox will be back. so make sure they are locked away safe.

do you have a shed or similar - a stable even - where they could go for a few days where its nice and quiet and secure? just leave them as quiet as you can... you might lose a couple to stress im afraid but you can only do your best

 

[mattilda]

Why don't you ring the vet for advice? Hope they pull through.

 

[Holly831]

I think you are doing everything you can. Hens are supprisingly fragile when it comes to shock.
Good Luck and (((HUGS)))

 

[jendie]

So sorry. Hens are very susceptible to stress so that is probably their major problem. I'd keep them warm and quiet. If possible get them to take a little water, even if you need to use a syringe, because dehydration will kill them. You could mix a little manuka honey or glucose with the water to give a little extra energy. Good luck.

 

[finkle]

No advice other that others have said above . Fingers crossed for you as I know how lovable and endearing these birds are. The fox took my female duck, I was devastated and as much as would like poultry again,never would because of the fox. Good vibes coming your chucks way x

 

[Gillb]

Blooming foxes. I've lost two cockerels to Mr Fox in the last few days. You can follow the tracks in the snow.
In my experience shocked hens either recover and live or else give up and die.
Mine are free range mostly and have a great life. Our fox problems are very occasional thank goodness.

 

[Dolcé]

Thank you everybody for replying.

We took them to the vets, the little hen has being put down because she was injured badly under her wing and I'm heartbroken because she was the strongest out of the three. The two cockerels are still laid with their heads drooped onto the straw (their necks are badly bruised) but have been treated with Arnica, aconite, metacin and a syringe of water so now they have pain relief hopefully they will improve.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Why do people seem to think that foxes only come at night, over the past 25 years most of my hens were taken during the day, came back one afternoon to find 25 had had their heads taken off. Didn't matter whether they were penned in or let out.
Have fowls have a fox problem and around our way the foxes have mange which is also problem for dogs and humans as I found out.

 

[Dolcé]

I am perfectly aware that they come out in the daytime, and as you can see we are dealing with the aftermath of our first attack. It is more of a shock because the pen backs on to a public footpath so the fox usually avoids coming anywhere near. We moved from a rural area to an urban spot so knew that the risks were going to increase. That doesn't make it any less upsetting than getting a phone call to say half your hens are dead.

I had asked for advice on the shocked cockerels after the fox attack, not on the fact it was a daytime attack, and I appreciate every ones advice on helping my chucks.