Chicken Injured by Hawk

[Chickenchic870]

My Bantam chicken was attacked by a hawk 2 days ago. Luckily I went outside at the time and the hawk flew away. I brought her in and she had minor lacerations on her head as well as a claw mark under her wing. I've cleaned her wounds and treated them. And she seems to be healing well. I have her in a separate coop next to the rest of the flock, so shes not completely isolated. I open the door to the coop when I'm out there and she wont come outside the 3 other Bantam's have checked on her but she hides in the corner. My question is will she ever be ok to go outside and be with the rest of the flock? Also the day after she was attacked she laid a egg without a shell? Thank you for taking time to read this lengthy post. I appreciate any advice.
Randi

 

[Shadrach]

I get a lot of chickens injured or killed by hawks here.
I've provided a link here that will give you some idea of what I've dealt with. I think there are 4 stories in the entire thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-it-better-to-let-them-die.1268732/
If they are not mobile, or if the injuries are likely to become infected I keep the chicken in my house until they feel able to rejoin their group.
All those that have survived have rejoined their groups without any loss of status and with very few problems.
The shell less egg is something I've seen here after a hen has been injured. For those that survived egg laying has returned to normal a very quickly once they have gone back to eating their normal diet and rejoined their group.
There are a few important lessons I've learned.
1) a chicken recovers faster when they are with their group and able to perform their usual routine.
2) Each chicken I've cared for has known when they are well enough to join their group. I don't now restrict their movement.
3) After a chicken recovers from the shock, preventing infection becomes a major issue.
4) those that don't survive die from internal injuries. My 'fitness test' is how quickly they return to eating solid food. Those who won't eat solids by the end of day three of intensive care have a poor prognosis.
5)keeping wounds clean especially if the chicken is free range can be a major chore.
Once the wound is absolutely clean (Chlorhexidine is what I use to clean and disinfect)
I coat the wound with Stockholm Hoof Tar.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-and-injuries-with-stockholm-hoof-tar.74400/

 

[Alexandra33]

You say she sits in a corner all day? Does she appear to be feeling poorly?

I recently had two of my bantams survive hawk attacks, one of which suffered serious injuries (strained wing and gaping abdominal wound, complete with punctured air sac). She was ready to head back out to the coop the very next day. I simply couldn't keep that little thing out of mischief! Free ranging without any sign of fear took place a couple days later. The other also had a punctured air sac, but healed every bit as quickly, and returned to free ranging almost immediately.

Provided everything's at rights internally, your girl will likely return overcome her trauma in the near future.

~Alex

 

[chickengeorgeto]

An injection or two with LA 50 or LA 200 may go a long way to nursing her back to health.

 

[aart]

My Bantam chicken was attacked by a hawk 2 days ago. Luckily I went outside at the time and the hawk flew away. I brought her in and she had minor lacerations on her head as well as a claw mark under her wing. I've cleaned her wounds and treated them. And she seems to be healing well. I have her in a separate coop next to the rest of the flock, so shes not completely isolated. I open the door to the coop when I'm out there and she wont come outside the 3 other Bantam's have checked on her but she hides in the corner. My question is will she ever be ok to go outside and be with the rest of the flock? Also the day after she was attacked she laid a egg without a shell? Thank you for taking time to read this lengthy post. I appreciate any advice. Randi

Shock and stress. Give her time, watch wounds for infection.
Is she eating drinking pooping OK?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Chickenchic870 How is your hen doing?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I get a lot of chickens injured or killed by hawks here.
I've provided a link here that will give you some idea of what I've dealt with. I think there are 4 stories in the entire thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-it-better-to-let-them-die.1268732/
If they are not mobile, or if the injuries are likely to become infected I keep the chicken in my house until they feel able to rejoin their group.
All those that have survived have rejoined their groups without any loss of status and with very few problems.
The shell less egg is something I've seen here after a hen has been injured. For those that survived egg laying has returned to normal a very quickly once they have gone back to eating their normal diet and rejoined their group.
There are a few important lessons I've learned.
1) a chicken recovers faster when they are with their group and able to perform their usual routine.
2) Each chicken I've cared for has known when they are well enough to join their group. I don't now restrict their movement.
3) After a chicken recovers from the shock, preventing infection becomes a major issue.
4) those that don't survive die from internal injuries. My 'fitness test' is how quickly they return to eating solid food. Those who won't eat solids by the end of day three of intensive care have a poor prognosis.
5)keeping wounds clean especially if the chicken is free range can be a major chore.
Once the wound is absolutely clean (Chlorhexidine is what I use to clean and disinfect)
I coat the wound with Stockholm Hoof Tar.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-and-injuries-with-stockholm-hoof-tar.74400/

Great information/guidelines for any chicken owner to have. I'm saving this. Thanks Shadrach!

 

[Chickenchic870]

@Chickenchic870 How is your hen doing?

She is doing well. Shes back with her little Banni crew witch consist of 3 others. Although she still cant fly very well. I have made her a "handicap accessible" ramp so she can get into the house. Thank you so much.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is doing well. Shes back with her little Banni crew witch consist of 3 others. Although she still cant fly very well. I have made her a "handicap accessible" ramp so she can get into the house. Thank you so much.

Thank you for the update! I'm glad to hear she is doing well and has rejoined the others!