Advice NOW please...

[Eco-Chic]

I can't believe I didn't shut the bloody gate properly AGAIN. Teddy JR got hold of Myrtle, dropped her, got her again, I got her away from him Total farce with me screaming, chooks shrieking and feathers flying.

Found Myrtle hiding at the back of the run under the coop and had to ease her out with (of all things) the poo scoop. She was in the roosting position on the floor.

I checked her over thoroughly and bar some loose feathers and obvious shock can't find anything wrong. Her eyes are bright, she pecked at my earrings and was cooing gently in my arms. Walked up and down the coop roof no problem and wings working ok, no sign of physical pain.

I let her back in the run and she went to the back under the coop again. Off I went to scramble an egg, get some warm water and a bit of corn to put by her, and blow me down she wasn't there when I returned.

She's in a corner of bramble quite away from the coop and scratching around. I lobbed in some egg and she ate it (Maude and Madge haven't lost their appetites either). I'm assuming she wants to be a little quiet but as she's eaten and is moving about is likely to be okay.

Any suggestions as to further actions I should take please (apart from the very obvious triple check the gate is shut when the girls are out and about).

[Two_Sheds]

Sorry, who/what is Teddy Jnr? Cat, dog?
How about a bell on the collar, to give the chooks a bit of warning...

[Eco-Chic]

Sorry Two Sheds, Teddy Jack Russell

[Bramble-Poultry]

nip down to Focus DIY or similar. Get a coil return spring for the gate. This is one of those spring things that attached to the gate and the gate post. As you open the gate it stretches and wants to return to normal. so as soon as you let go, it pull sthe gate shut behind you. couple that wih a thumb latch and the gate will snap shut behind you - no need to keep remembering to shut the gate as it will do it for you.

regarding the jack russel - its in their nature. theres not a lot you can do to stop them. they are fascinated by things that move. My shiba's have the same temperament. bred for pretty much the same purpose in Japan.

if they arent showing pain or injury and feeding well, then all you can do is watch and wait. stress is a major killer in birds and Teddy Jnr was one lot, messing her about now looking for things to treat might make a bad situation worse.

hope all goes well. keep us posted.

[Eco-Chic]

Thanks Bramble. I keep popping out to look but I'm leaving her alone. She's quietly scratching around.

Now, my injury? Not a bite as such. I forced my hand to the back of Teddy's jaw with thumb up into the roof of his mouth and gashed the bit in between the thumb and finger. It bled freely and I rinsed under the tap and with warm salty water. Should I spray gentian violet on it? Had tetanus jab 2/3 years ago.

[HayleyB]

Hi Eco, if she isn't injured and not in shock then she'll be better with the other girls to forget... Your hand - you can wack some GV on it or germolene or any outher antiseptic.

[Eco-Chic]

Myrtle was very quietly wandering around between the back of the run and the garden. I think she may have found some comfort being with Maude and Madge. I slipped a little dish of corn and some tepid water under the coop and was pleased to hear her pecking at the corn. The ramekin was almost empty of water when I locked them away.

She ate a little corn from my hand in the coop but was a bit wobbly getting on the top perch so I gave her a hand. Her feet and wattles were nice and warm. Got the back of her neck though, which isn't usual, so I took this as a sign not to crowd her.

Fingers crossed that she recovers her equilibrium overnight.

[Suechooks]

On another forum they recommend Rescue Remedy. Never tried it on chooks but works a treat on bonfire night for the dogs.
Ever considered electric fencing to keep JRs at bay? If your set-up would suit itmight be worth a thought.
Hope she continues to recover.

[Eco-Chic]

Of course, Rescue Remedy. Why didn't I think of that

Thanks Sue. I shall keep it next to the Animal supplements and medicines in case it's needed again.

Hopefully a night's rest will go some way to restoring her.

[RedThorn]

Here's hoping she's ok. Hopefully just shook up from the experience.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Oh dear. What a horrible thing to happen. Hopefully she will be better tomorrow. At least shes had something to eat. Please let us know how she gets on.
Love Bernie

[Nicos]

How are they doing??..fingers crossed for tomorrow!xxx

[Bramble-Poultry]

Eco-Chic ---> it will sting when it first goes on, but have you thought of applying some tea tree oil to your bite?

Burns like hell when it goes on but its a natural antiseptic. i use it when one of the ferrets "play" bites goes a bit deep. God knows what dead things they have had in their mouths and left alone they usually go septic. put the tea tree on and never have an issue - except i cry like a baby when it first goes on, much to Jennie's glee, actually come to think of it, tea tree was her idea....... perhaps she is a sadist???

[its hilly]

Hope she's ok Eco. Sounds hopeful if she's eating/scratching. Damn JR is doing what he was bred for sadly. That spring for gate sounds like a good idea, must try to remember it.

[Eco-Chic]

Eco-Chic ---> it will sting when it first goes on, but have you thought of applying some tea tree oil to your bite?

Burns like hell when it goes on but its a natural antiseptic. i use it when one of the ferrets "play" bites goes a bit deep. God knows what dead things they have had in their mouths and left alone they usually go septic. put the tea tree on and never have an issue - except i cry like a baby when it first goes on, much to Jennie's glee, actually come to think of it, tea tree was her idea....... perhaps she is a sadist???

Too late Mike. I've sprayed the GV on my hand (and the tiles, the sink and the draining board). It stung my hand too but I think it must be good stuff because my hand's hardly swollen).

Jennie hasn't contributed any ideas for torturing the big secret out of Lynda so I doubt she's a sadist. Unless she's too busy making plans for the DEFRA man