Expert: Abi - 4/13/2008

Question
I live in London but have been keeping chickens for around seven years. The biggest problem i have is foxes. Yesterday at dusk a fox attacked my three buff orpington chickens, one has been taken away, one is unharmed. The other is alive but has been bitted around the neck. She is extremely unwell, she cannot lift her head properly and refuses to move much. So far i am keeping her inside in a box lined with cat litter and newspaper shreddings. I have given her alot of water although some drips out as she cannot lift her head enough. I cannot coax her into eating anything. Her throat and wattles have swellled a huge amount and I am extremely worried as to what this means. I love this bird dearly and i do not want it to live in pain. I am considering putting it down but not unless it is either going to die shortly anyway or if it is in agony. Please help, do you think my chicken will live? What should i do? Please reply shortly. Thanks.

Answer
Sorry about the long wait, I haven't had access to a computer for a while.
My heart goes out to you; I too have terrible trouble with foxes, once or twice we've had exterminators around here but never with any luck, they may catch one fox but there is always another.
I really do think you should take your hen to the vet and see what they say about it, but it is your choice what you do with her- if her quality of life is poor and doesn't look like it is going to get any better then I suggest you give serious thought to letting your vet put her to sleep- it would be kinder to both of you if she is in agony.

Thanks for your question.