caring for a chicken after a hawk attack

[mtinney]

About a week ago I chased a hawk off one of my hens. It had ripped off skin and feathers along one side of her head. I have her in the house and have been nursing her back to health. I didn't touch the wound until 2 days ago other than to squeeze some neosporin on it. Since then I have put hot packs on it followed by hydrogen peroxide and it looks clean and healing. The problem is she has stopped eating yesterday and today. Before this she nibbled at some fine grained chicken feed. I can get her to drink a few sips of water through the day. Any suggestions about getting her to eat?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would stop the peroxide since repeated use may prevent healing. What does the wound look like? Can you post a picture? If there is no obvious signs of infection, I would just use the ointment. Try offering some chopped egg, canned tuna, or some yogurt and water mixed into some chicken feed to an oatmeal consistency.

 

[mtinney]

Thank you for your advice. She would not eat the chopped boiled egg. I am just putting a teaspoon of crumbles in a lot of water to get her to eat something. That may work since she is just drinking water. I will still hot pack it as she doesnt seem to mind it. I will just use ointment and stop the peroxide.

 

[Eggcessive]

Her crop looks very big in the picture. Is it just because of the way she was sitting? Her crop should contain some food during the day, full at night, and should be mostly empty by the next morning. Is her crop empty, full, hard, soft, or like a balloon? Crop impaction or sour crop can cause problems getting nourishment.

 

[mtinney]

I think it is the way she is sitting. There does not feel like there is much there.

 

[mtinney]

After reading up on sour crop, you have me thinking this may be the problem. I'm less worried about her wound than I am about not eating or drinking. 3 or 4 days after the hawk attack she was drinking water and nibbling on crumbles when I held them up to her. But for the past three days her intake has decreased to none. I got a syringe this morning and watered down some plain greek yogurt and got a couple of teaspoons in and a little water. She did not like it. She stretches out and opens her beak from time to time but will not eat on her own.

 

[Eggcessive]

The crop should be empty by early morning if she has not eaten all night. If the crop is puffy, you can massage it several times a day. Try to encourage her to drink water. Adding electrolytes such as SaveAChick can help. Sometimes the crop can become sluggish after an injury or illness. Do you notice a sour odor from her mouth.

 

[mtinney]

Thank you. I will try to massage her crop in the morning. Im trying the monistat 3 suppositories cut in thirds that someone recommended.I just gave her one dose tonight with a little water. I dont think it will hurt because it has mineral oil in it. It may help her. I will keep trying to get her to drink if not I will give it by syringe.

 

[mtinney]

She appears to have more energy this morning and drank water from a dish when coaxed. She even nibbled on some softened crumbles. I think the monistat 3 and massaging her crop is helping. I gave another dose this morning.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is good news. Has the crop ever been empty or has it been full and balloon-like? If not, she may not have a crop problem, but just not feeling like eating until now. Hoping for a good recovery.