Bald eagle attacked chicken SOS help graphic photos

[DominiqueLOVES<3Chicks]

My chicken was attacked by a bald eagle. She’s doing okay and eating and drinking. Huge laceration on chest by crop, fat is exposed. It’s not bleeding. What should I do to wrap or care for it? I sprayed it with saline I’m not sure how to wrap it please any advice helps. I’ve had this chicken 6 years and she’s very special to me

 

[azygous]

Here's what you do in the event of a predator attack to treat the survivor.

1. Treat for shock as the number one step. Give warm Gatoraid or mix a half teaspoon of sugar into a fourth of a cup of warm water with a pinch of salt and baking soda. Have the patient drink it all or syringe it into the beak.

2. Flush the wound well with saline. This is better than soap and water as it maintains the PH of the tissues. But warm soap and water will do. You need to wash away the bacteria from the wound.

3. Inspect the wound carefully. If it has a skin flap dangling, keep that. Do not cut it off. Look for bite, tear or puncture marks indicating a puncture wound. If you see this, the patient will need an oral antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Bacteria from the predator’s mouth can be injected deep into tissue and can kill in as little as 24 to 48 hours. You can order this https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/250mg once a day for ten days. Or you may be able to find this or something similar at TSC or a pet store.

4. Spray with Vetericyn wound treament and let dry. Use a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or a generic without pain killer in it to coat the wound. If there's a skin flap, lay it across the wound that has just been coated with the ointment. Then smooth on a generous amount over the top of the skin flap to hold it in place.

5. It's useless to try to stitch a wound on a chicken. Don't even try. It's also useless to try to bandage a wound other than on the feet. The chicken will not tolerate it. It will be pulled off faster than you can blink an eye.

6. Clean the wound every day following the above steps. Keep the wound covered with the ointment. Never allow the wound to get dried out or it will not heal.

 

[Kearaaaa23]

Clean the wound carefully and keep her seperate from the flock for a bit to make sure she gets sufficient rest to start the initial recovery. Give her nutrients and extra vitamins. Make sure to clean the wound everyday and provide medication. Add extra nutrients and vitamin supplements to her water. Feed her an egg yolk and maybe increase her protein intake slightly. Nake sure she eats and drinks well and isn't low on fluids. Moniter her poops etc.. overall just give her the correct medication,clean her wounds and watch her closely. The wound itself may take up to a month to fully recover. Good luck to you and your chicken!

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

We have nursed two girls through eagle wounds. Despite having a very protected run...they are clever hunters. In addition to what has already been mentioned....we brought our girls indoors and crated them with a puppy pad rather than any bedding that could get into the wound. After cleaning we kept the gaping wounds slathered in polyspirin. We gave vitamins, scrambled egg and some yogurt in addition to the regular feed. I was surprised how quickly the wounds healed given their severity. Also don’t return her with the others too soon or they will peck at her healing wound. I also gave my older girl a course of Baytril as her back was slashed from the talon and her chest and neck ripped apart from the beak so I was very concerned about infection. Good luck with your girl.