Chick Injured by Hawk

[floresa20]

Hi so I need advice, on Friday my mom was outside watching my baby chick when suddenly a hawk tried to take him. And it was the same hawk who has tried to take him 3 times before. But my mom's screams scared the hawk, while Pánfilo(my chicks name) ran. I thought he was altlright until I saw drops of blood and checked him. He had a small gash on his back which I quickly cleaned and the bleeding stopped, he was still peeping and was drinking water, but didn't want to move. The next day Saturday he was way better and was walking and eating and everything. But today he got really swollen, and I'm worried because he was alright and now he's all swollen and I don't know what to do or if it's normal. He's acting normal and eating normally, he's just really really swollen! But in the picture it's not noticeable

 

[redsoxs]

Might be getting an infection. Might keep it disinfected and cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. Also, take care that the other chickens aren't pecking at the wound....you may need to isolate her. It is a very good sign she's eating and drinking. Best of luck to you and your bird!!

 

[evekelly]

When my hen was attacked by a hawk in March of this year, she was knocked out cold and she had a gash in her neck. I called the vet (he is also an avian specialist) and he told me not to use neisporin or hydrogen peroxide, just rinse it out every day with saline. I used a generic brand from Walgreens. The wound started to get some yellowish infection so I broke down and took her to the vet and he prescribed her antibiotics. She is fine today. So your chick may need antibiotics. But at least try the saline irrigation twice a day to start.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

x2 on skipping the hydrogen peroxide - it can damage healthy tissue. I've had good results using Vetericyn to heal wounds. The swelling is concerning, especially if accompanied by odor or discharge.