It was all going so well... until

[Nicos]

In a nice dish of warm porridge...mmmm..with a few raisins thrown in

Can you spend some time with them today so they feel protected???might help reduce their stress a little?

Stressed animals are kept a bit warmer aren't they at the vets?...how about putting a few jam jars/bottles containing hot water in the coop ( with lids on) or an old hot water bottle ,to act as a radiator???

[lettucegrow!]

Porridge on the go as we speak,Nicos! We are at home all weekend as we're on a mission with decorating the house, so I can keep popping up the garden to check them The one I'm more worried about is Betty. Uninjured but very quiet and moving very slowly. She hasn't ventured outside yet. Despite the broken wing Belinda is OK, trip to the vets later though.And Babs is totally unscathed. I took beer and big tin of Heroes over to my neighbours- they were amazing and my poor OH, that was his introduction to holding chooks. He doesn't go near them normally, thank goodness he was here. He was hoping for a quiet afternoon and then carnage!!

[HayleyB]

That Martin lad deserves a medal, fighting off the Staffy with a broom and well done Babs for knowing where their bookcase was. Good luck at the vets LG {{{{{hugs}}}}}

[Eco-Chic]

Lettuce, if you have any Bachs Rescue Remedy add a few drops to the chooks drinking water for the next few days.

If you sit quietly by your coop whenever you can the chooks will feel reassured and will come to you when they are ready. Poultry spice is a good idea.

[lettucegrow!]

Quick update. Vet has given antibiotics and Belinda is now sporting a bright pink bandage to support her wing. She said the dog has bitten through to bone so prognosis not good and thought euthanasia should be considered but she is quite alert and eating and drinking at the moment so keen to give her a chance,. Worry is, of course, infection into the bone so she now has antibiotics and something for pain. Will just have to wait and see. She was very sleepy when we got back from vets, I thought that was it but was soon up and about when I put her back in the coop. Only time will tell.

[frias]

Belinda sounds like a fighter. Fingers crossed for full recovery. (((((big hugs))))) for you and Belinda.

[Suechooks]

Hope she's ok. An awful time for you and them. x

[Glutton4...]

Awww, poor little mite - they're often a lot tougher than we give them credit for aren't they?

Fingers crossed for you and the Chooks

[petal]

Again, report to police, dogs that savage other animals might view a 2 year old child in the same way. I think its wierd. Our labrador lets chickens sit next to her and the worst she does is wash their bottoms.
They must pay the vet bill and install electric fencing on their side to prevent their dogs escaping - remind them that a farmer is in his/her rights to march round their and shoot them of course.... also, get a labrador - they protect chickens if trained and do not allow other dogs in your garden.

[its hilly]

Oh dear, hope all goes well and there are no more hassles with your poorly chook. That neighbours boy sounds a real star, clever chook picked the right house!!!
Must say very irresponsible of the new neighbours to let their dogs into the garden before they checked it for possible escape holes. I've had dogs n cats for more years than I can count and its alwayys the first thing I've done at a new house, checked for potential escape routes before letting them out. So no excuses for them.
As a sidetrack sort of..my German shepherd chases rabbits with a passion on her walks, then comes home and goes and lies outside Toffee (our dwarf lop rabbit) run and licks his nose through the wire

[Lemon]

Have just read this in absolute shock and horror!

I hope your girls recover from their ordeal soon and Belinda with the broken wing pulls through ok.

Our Bokky taps on window when trying to get our attention - they don't like the neighbourhood cats and create such a racket! One afternoon I heard the squawking and as I didn't fling the curtain back quick enough, Bokky was bashing the window with her beak to tell me there was a cat in their garden!

Nowt anything as funny as chooks!

[lettucegrow!]

Well, they 're all still here! Went over to Thornes to get vitamins, poultry spice to give them a boost .Went really early and by the time I had got back the dog had been back. It was just running up and down the garden and wonderful other half went and shouted at it to sit, which it did, and then phoned owner.Girls really scared again. They obviously caught sight of it as they were in nesting box and not coming out! Took me ages to get them to come out(corn on the cob and pasta!) but if I am there they are happy to be out. The owner hasn't phoned yet for reassurance about the muts. How long should I give her? I have to go to work tomorrow and am going to be worried sick.

[steve'n'sal]

We feel your pain on this one after our attack! However a week on and things have started to heal very well. Apart from a few baldies the chickens look well and good, its amazing how quickly they can recover. It's just that moment when you know something is seriously wrong with one or more of your birds, trying to gage the severity of the attack is truly horrifying. However good luck with your girls, they sound like battlers

[its hilly]

Glad theyre still ok.
As for dogs..once is an accident, twice is sheer bloody (apologies but Im mad) stupidity or couldnt care less ness. Dont wait for a call, take a neighbour as a witness, go round and politely but forcefully tell them to get the fence sorted..NOW..and cough up for the vets bill. Ask if they're dogs are insured as they'll be covered if they are, if not tough. And tell them if it happens again you wont contact them you will pass the dogs on to the local dog warden. If a warden takes them in they will be charged for the dogs recovery! Might just make them buck up..they really have no excuse. If you have a pressure washer leave it set up handy and if the dogs get in again get them with it..its not nice but its a lot safer than trying to grab a dog thats ready to bite something

[lettucegrow!]

Thanks Hilly. I was hoping she would be neighbourly and be concerned enough to ring but she did say she would pay vet bill. I'm afraid I think as you. OK, they've just moved in and didn't know the dogs could get out. Once is enough. It cannot happen again. The dog knows were we are now and obviously is on a mission. OH held on to the dog for a bit but it started to struggle so let it go,you just don't know.Worries me that she doesn't understand this breed and keeps saying it's really soppy- it's now reaching maturity at 10 months old and is a dog, she doesn't know how he will be., especially away from home and hunting animals. No pressure washer but I might leave the hose out, that's an idea.