Daisy…

Remember Daisy?  I shared about her last year when she was attacked by a rooster my kids found while on a walk. And then I had to share daily news on the hatchings of each individual chick? Well, Miss Daisy is making news again after she was attacked by what we think must have been a hawk over a week ago. My son was the one that found her, laying in the middle of the grass with her back side completely torn apart, blood and feathers everywhere. Daisy’s legs were http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.comstretched back stiff behind her, and she was just laying there ‘stunned’. We scooped her up and immediately wrapped her up in a towel to keep her warm. Her head was floppy and her eyes were closed…not sure what to do, my mommy instincts took over. With three crying kids around me, I couldn’t let her die without trying. My daughter got on the phone looking for a vet close by.  In the mean time, I poured hydrogen peroxide on her wounds followed up by Neosporin.  My daughter found a vet within ten minutes of our home ~ but just to see sweet Daisy was a $65. office visit.  Seemed a little steep for a chicken that I was pretty sure wouldn’t make it through the next hour. We set up a box with shavings and offered her water in a couple bowls.

I searched my house for a dropper and found one that was the perfect size.  I filled it with sugar water and pried open her beak (not easy) and dropped a few drops into her throat.  I did this over and over throughout the first night, along with they hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin. When we woke up the next morning she was holding her own head up and while still very still, she was keeping her eyes open for a few minutes at a time.  I FELT HOPE! Instead of feeding her the sugar water, I began adding Gatorade mixed with water. By nighttime she was taking plain yogurt from the dropper.

001The next morning ~ I kid you not, when I came into the laundry room and looked in her box, she had laid an egg.

I knew then, I must do more and I really thought she might just make it.  Her wounds were bad, but laying an egg and taking food in had to be a good sign.   I had read that I shouldn’t use hydrogen peroxide on her wound after 24 hours because it kills new skin that is trying to form and it was suggested that I give her vitamin b, electrolytes, antibiotics for birds etc. So I headed to the feed store picked up whatever was suggested.

  • Vetricyn Wound Spray
  • Durvet Duramycin-10 powder (antibiotic powder to add to her water)
  • Durvet Vitamins & Electrolyte powder

Also introducing her to more foods, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, mixed with smushed up fruits and veggies and she was now pecking at the food from a spoon. 

008

I was changing her shavings almost twice a day, but because she was not moving ~ she was sitting in her own nasty fluids that were being released by her behind.  It was sticking to feathers and I couldn’t remove it without pulling her feathers out.  So it was a 70 degree weather day ~ so I decided to give her a bubble bath.  I know, seems pretty silly ~ ever seen a chicken have a bubble bath? Well now you can say you have.  Setting her in the warm water we weren’t sure what she would do…but she nestled right in and just sat there…not moving..just sitting and enjoying. 002 After about a half hour sitting in the bath and sunshine I pulled her out and rinsed her behind off. (our outdoor hose is equipped with both hot and cold water, which was very nice in this situation).061 I was able to get her cleaned up!  Afterwards we wrapped her up in a towel and snuggled with her (consistently changing the towel as they became wet until she dried enough to put her back in her box in our laundry room.

So here she is now 10 days after the attack ~ walking, clucking, scratching and eating on her own ~ 029her back also looks like it’s well on the way to a full recovery.  Although I don’t believe she is looking forward to heading back out to the coop anytime soon.  All this TLC has spoiled her and I believe she is enjoying herself!

 

Look how alert her eyes are and how shiny her feathers are – still so unbelievable to me that she made it!

032

To see what else I am linking to this week – please check my “Cottage Links” label…xoxo, tracie

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Comments

Amazing what a little tlc and love will do!
Wow, what an amazing story! How did you know what to do? Poor thing, she is one lucky gal. I'm so glad Daisy is doing so much better.
Joani said…
That is such a great story. Often, it just takes that mothering stuff. No matter whose mother. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure she'll be laying more eggs.
20 North Ora said…
We did the same thing to a red hawk once that we found in the back yard. Apparently he had flown into the hi lines?? But, when we called the vet to see what to do and described her, the vet said she was an endangered species and they sent someone to get her. They took her to a place where they nurse them back to health.

She's a really pretty chicken. Can't believe she laid an egg after going thru all of that.

Good for you taking such good care of her. She may become a house chicken!!

Judy
Susie said…
You are super mom. I remember my dad sewing up a chicken's leg thats omething had biten. It lived. Smiles, Susie
What a great recovery. Glad you shared her story.
Joy
Julie Marie said…
Oh Tracie, I cried all through this... you know how much I love ALL God's precious little creatures... so happy she is all right... I love her!... you are a good mama... xoxo Julie Marie
Awwww poor sweet Daisy... She has an amazing mamma. Good for you , all that TLC worked. I'm so happy for you all, including pretty Daisy...
Ciao for now...
Pamela Gordon said…
What an amazing story! I'm so happy that you took the time to care for this poor chicken and that she is recovering. Now that's a story to tell your grandkids some day.
What a great story and you did the trick....mothering at home keeps them calm. I am glad for your happy ending.
Bernideen said…
The word amazing is being ran again here- I can't say I would have been a smart as you on this. I am really impressed with your good "head" and this a one incredible story!
pballard said…
Lovely story. Thanks for sharing.. Have a great weekend..
Tricia said…
Poor little thing. I'm glad she's doing better :)
Ohh! I loved reading about Daisey and how well she is healing. What a great job you did. Keep us updated.

~Shanon
She looks like she's healing really well. Her eyes are so bright. I think she may be destined to be a house chicken. You did good work.
Mindy said…
Oh my gosh, I was on the edge of my seat reading the play by play! Poor little girl! She's lucky to have such a good caretaker! Glad to hear she's up and at 'em.
Unknown said…
See? Everyone loves your Daisy story!
<3
Bless your heart...What an amazing story, I hung on every words and I love a happy ending!

Carol
Naturally Carol said…
What a plucky little hen! I am so glad her story so far has a happy ending. I hope she never has to go through anything like this again, I would like to imagine that she lives happily ever after!
Great job and glad she's okay. Often a chicken will lay an egg after trauma like that because it's already in the pipeline. We keep a fully stocked first aid kit for our chicksns, the link is on our blog. And I SO hope you will share this story on my Farm Girl Blog Fest - its inspirational. http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/10/farm-girl-blog-fest-4.html
Jennifer said…
This brought tears to my eyes, what a heart-warming story of such love and kindness for one of God's creatures. I hope you, Daisy and the rest of your family stsy healthy and happy!
Jennifer
Oh what a wonderful story. Daisy is so lucky to have you and what an amazing little chic. Thank you for sharing and so glad to hear she is alright and laying eggs!
Lily's Lace said…
I just found your blog and your story has me hooked! What a great story! I can't wait to hear her updates!!-cindy
Lily's Lace said…
I just found your blog and your story has me hooked! What a great story! I can't wait to hear her updates!!-cindy
What a heart wrenching but sweet story...I am so happy Daisy survived! You really did save her with your mothering instincts. Now I hope she, and all of your flock, stay safe.

XO,
Jane
Linda said…
I love the picture of Daisy in the bubble bath. Every girl should have a spa day:-)
KathyB. said…
Yay for Daisy and you all, a family who loves her and did not give up. A plucky chicken for sure.Laying an egg after near death, wow !
Karen said…
Tracie,
What a sweet and happy story. I'm so glad you were able to save her life. I'll have to start calling you Vet Tracie!
Karen
Unknown said…
oh i am so glad she made it . I was wondering about her. . :)
Hello! I’m stopping in to invite you to join us at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-7-country-craft.html

I hope to see you there!
Cheers!
Kathy
The Chicken Chick

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