ALABAMA!!

[Tomtommom]

My white rock got attacked by a hawk. Risk of having them free-range and I knew as a white bird she would be the first to be attacked.

She seems in shock some. Not a lot of blood lost, but she has a BIG gaping hole in her side.. you can see her breast tissue.... I don't want to kill her after she survived a hawk attack. That seems like betrayal. Read the emergency forums some, seems cleaning it and applying Neosporin is about all I can do. Sewing it shut is a bad idea, from what I gather. Other that that she has a minor puncture on her wing and she's lost about half her pin feathers on that side. She gets around ok, but as I said, she looks shocked.

What else can I do? Seems too hot for a heat lamp... I washed her off a bit. About to apply Neosporin... put her in a comfy spot indoors. Maybe make her some chicken kool-aid.

 

[chickadoodles]

My white rock got attacked by a hawk. Risk of having them free-range and I knew as a white bird she would be the first to be attacked.

She seems in shock some. Not a lot of blood lost, but she has a BIG gaping hole in her side.. you can see her breast tissue.... I don't want to kill her after she survived a hawk attack. That seems like betrayal. Read the emergency forums some, seems cleaning it and applying Neosporin is about all I can do. Sewing it shut is a bad idea, from what I gather. Other that that she has a minor puncture on her wing and she's lost about half her pin feathers on that side. She gets around ok, but as I said, she looks shocked.

What else can I do? Seems too hot for a heat lamp... I washed her off a bit. About to apply Neosporin... put her in a comfy spot indoors. Maybe make her some chicken kool-aid.

Tom if the wound is that bad you might do better just pouring some iodine on it for a few days. It will kill any infection but you won't have to rub it on. We used it on a calf that got attacked by some buzzards! It works. And antibiotics! I hope she will be ok!

 

[Tomtommom]

She's not eating treats, but let's face it, she's been through a lot. She's sitting in my bathroom in a box and has been 'talking' to me some. It's really deep, but clean. The edges are a bit bloody, but I tried not to mess with it too much.

Basically, a flap of skin has been ripped open and you can see into the chest cavity. Her breast tissue does not look damaged at all, so that's good. It's just a big skin wound. I think if I can prevent infection and get her through the stress, it'll heal.

 

[Orps]

My white rock got attacked by a hawk. Risk of having them free-range and I knew as a white bird she would be the first to be attacked.

She seems in shock some. Not a lot of blood lost, but she has a BIG gaping hole in her side.. you can see her breast tissue.... I don't want to kill her after she survived a hawk attack. That seems like betrayal. Read the emergency forums some, seems cleaning it and applying Neosporin is about all I can do. Sewing it shut is a bad idea, from what I gather. Other that that she has a minor puncture on her wing and she's lost about half her pin feathers on that side. She gets around ok, but as I said, she looks shocked.

What else can I do? Seems too hot for a heat lamp... I washed her off a bit. About to apply Neosporin... put her in a comfy spot indoors. Maybe make her some chicken kool-aid.

I think you are doing everyone right. Good luck and I hope she makes it.

 

[chickadoodles]

She's not eating treats, but let's face it, she's been through a lot. She's sitting in my bathroom in a box and has been 'talking' to me some. It's really deep, but clean. The edges are a bit bloody, but I tried not to mess with it too much.

Basically, a flap of skin has been ripped open and you can see into the chest cavity. Her breast tissue does not look damaged at all, so that's good. It's just a big skin wound. I think if I can prevent infection and get her through the stress, it'll heal.

Sounds good Tom! I have a turkey in a box in my DR and it has been there since Fri. I've been forcing water and food thru a dropper. But today he is worse. I don't think he will make it thru the night. My 1 1/2 month old flew thru a little crack in the pen in the chicken run and the chickens ran it out and our dog got ahold of it! Tooth puncture in its left side near it's vent! All I can say is I wish you luck! I have tried like crazy!

 

[Tomtommom]

It's a difficult wound, the skin just sorta hangs there. Part of me wants to leave it open, hoping this will keep it from getting infection trapped. Part of me wants to use a dab of super glue to atleast have it meet the other side of the wound.

I just rinsed it out with diluted iodine and dabbed some Neosporin on the edges. The edges look very clean atleast, which I hope will help. She's putting up a bit of a fight, when being treated, so that's a good sign. I'd be worried if she just let me do my thing.

 

[Wisher1000]

If you can hold the flap in place without closing it completely, I might try it. Super glue or even a stitch might work, but the skin may be too thin for that. Is there any way you could close the flap and use duct tape on the feathers only to hold it there a few days while it catches hold? Keep her in dim light as much as possible, almost dark, and tempt her with scrambled eggs. Don't force her to eat, but you may drop sugar water on the side of her beak two or three times a day. Leave her alone as much as possible. I wouldn't give her antibiotics unless there is obvious infection. if she is drinking and eating (even a little) just let her rest inside until the wound is no longer exposed to dirt, flies, and other chickens.

 

[troy1]

I'd try to superglue part of it, leaving bottom open for draining.


I can't believe you have hawk problems when you live and the tree cover....

troy

 

[chickadoodles]

It's a difficult wound, the skin just sorta hangs there. Part of me wants to leave it open, hoping this will keep it from getting infection trapped. Part of me wants to use a dab of super glue to atleast have it meet the other side of the wound.

I just rinsed it out with diluted iodine and dabbed some Neosporin on the edges. The edges look very clean atleast, which I hope will help. She's putting up a bit of a fight, when being treated, so that's a good sign. I'd be worried if she just let me do my thing.

If you think super glue might help in a spot. Do it! I was glued shut after my appendix was taken out! It works!

 

[Tomtommom]

If you can hold the flap in place without closing it completely, I might try it. Super glue or even a stitch might work, but the skin may be too thin for that. Is there any way you could close the flap and use duct tape on the feathers only to hold it there a few days while it catches hold? Keep her in dim light as much as possible, almost dark, and tempt her with scrambled eggs. Don't force her to eat, but you may drop sugar water on the side of her beak two or three times a day. Leave her alone as much as possible. I wouldn't give her antibiotics unless there is obvious infection. if she is drinking and eating (even a little) just let her rest inside until the wound is no longer exposed to dirt, flies, and other chickens.

Made her eggs earlier, but she wasn't interested. Maybe tomorrow. I'm sure it was terrifying for her.

I came in the backyard and not a chicken to be found, just this huge feather circle like a pillow exploded. Ran inside to tell fiance a hawk got a chicken. Then I realized they were all hiding under the water barrel system we have. At first it looked like she was just missing feathers. Didn't find that hole until I checked her out later.

She's in the bathroom right now. She seems ok. Calming down some. It's Jadzia, which is the white rock with the crooked toes that is ALWAYS ghostly pale (never figured out what the deal with that is). Will leave her alone for tonight, try and patch her up some more in the morning, may try tape. Not letting her outside any time soon and I think she ok with that.

I'd try to superglue part of it, leaving bottom open for draining.


I can't believe you have hawk problems when you live and the tree cover....

troy

They like to stroll across the yard. He got her right in an open area between two trees. I was thinking the same on the super glue, leave it part open, but atleast have the skin meet.

If you think super glue might help in a spot. Do it! I was glued shut after my appendix was taken out! It works!

Probably less chance of tearing, compared to sutures. Chicken skin is so very thin. Reminds me of paper-thin old lady skin..