Bad Hawk bad!

[Woodchick]

I'm pretty sure my 7 month old free range sexlink was attacked by a hawk yesterday. I found her alone in my garage cowering in a corner of my garage surrounded by feathers. I picked her up and realized half of her tail feathers and a good chunk of her rear and back feathers were gone. She also had a large gash about an inch and a half long and half an inch deep and it was bleeding . I immediately referred to BYC for help.
I washed out the gash with peroxide applied super glue and we got some liquid bandage from Tractor Supply. She is limping and I am giving her half of baby aspirin every 4-6 hours. She ate immediately after receiving first aid which I thought was a good sign.
I kept her in the garage overnight and this morning she was agitated so I opened the door and she ran back to the coop and begged to get in. I let her in and she went right to the nest and laid an egg. Afterwards she foraged a bit and came back to the garage. Strangely enough all the other chickens(5) have been hanging out in the garage with her all day. Normally they spread out and go in twos or threes to either the compost pile, the garden, the hedges or the woods. I think they are showing support to their fallen sister hen.
Thanks to BYC for helping me with this scary event in my new chicken life!

 

[sourland]

More likely than showing support, they are in the garage because they feel safe from attack there. Sadly enough the predator will return. Good luck and keep them safe.

 

[devora]

What a tough broad! She gets attacked and then lays an egg? Whew, I'd want her on my team.

Good luck w/ her. A keeper.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Lots of feathers pulled from the tail and butt? More likely that was a dog attack by a dog that doesn't catch a lot of his own dinners and lacks experience.

 

[Woodchick]

I thought of that. If so I'm glad that they are aware of the danger.

 

[Woodchick]

I thought of that. If so I'm glad that they are aware of the danger.

 

[Woodchick]

More likely than showing support, they are in the garage because they feel safe from attack there. Sadly enough the predator will return. Good luck and keep them safe.

I thought of that. If so I'm glad that they are aware of the danger.

Sorry about multiple posts, I'm just learning!

 

[Woodchick]

Lots of feathers pulled from the tail and butt? More likely that was a dog attack by a dog that doesn't catch a lot of his own dinners and lacks experience.

Oh my gosh, you were right! I have been eyes to the sky for 2 days now and today my neighbor from 2 doors down stopped her car and told me that the German Sheppard from across the street had a hold of my chicken. Good CSI work Oregon Blues! I'm glad it wasn't a hawk. Now I just have to make sure my girls stay within the confines of my yard.