Chicken was attacked! Alive, labored breathing, what do I do?!

[Odyssey]

I let my chickens out to roam this morning as I often do and went inside to make coffee. I heard an odd sound, and they were all by the fence line, 3 of them trying to hide in a brush pile. I did a head count and the silkie was missing. She was about 30ft away in the middle of the yard lying limp.

I have her inside now, and she can stand, but falls if she tries to walk and goes through periods of heavy breathing. I can find no obvious signs of injury, but I think she was attacked and saved by the amount of fluff. She is able to remain seated and keep her head up.

What can I do to help her.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would quickly look her over for any wounds. and then leave her alone for awhile to rest in a warm, quiet environment, since she could be in shock. Place water and food near her. After a couple of hours offer her some water by holding a small cup up to her beak, and give her some bits of scrambled egg. Fluids are more important then eating in the beginning. Internal injuries can be serious. Watch her droppings for any blood. Hopefully she will recover. I would recommend that you set a raccoon trap out to catch the predator. I had a cat drag off my silkie once. Raccoons, dogs, and foxes are also possibilities.

 

[casportpony]

Do you have a warm, dark room to put her in?

-Kathy

 

[Odyssey]

I have her in a basket with a towel inside right now. I am bringing her to work so she can be observed. (Oh the benefits of working in a science center)

There was a big pile of feathers and a small trail of feathers up to where I found her 5 feet from the attack site. The pile was near the house, no blood, no obvious injuries, we do have outdoor cats and birds of prey, but it's been a long time since we've seen anything bigger. The cats are all well fed and have never bothered my girls before. We do have a roo, but I'm not convinced he knows his job very well.

Thank you so much for the quick responses. I'm usually more of a lurker, so you guys really put me at ease.

 

[casportpony]

A ride in the car might be too stressful for her, and she really should be in a warm (80 degrees), dark room.

-Kathy

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Supportive care/treat for shock - meaning warm, dark, quiet with monitoring of intake/output and focus on hydration and treatment for any visible wounds with a good cleaning and triple antibiotic cream.

 

[Odyssey]

Thank you everyone!!!

Waffles is doing well. Her breathing is normal, she is readily eating food and gobbling up treats. I haven't seen her drink a whole lot, but her poop looks normal. She is perched on the edge of the basket and clucking occasionally like she does when her friends are not near. I am strongly considering putting her in her normal roosting spot in the coop tonight.

I really think it must have been a hawk attack. I cannot imagine a cat or dog type of animal leaving the limp body just lying there like I found her. Would it be plausible considering:

There was a pile of feathers in one spot with a small trail leading to where I found her.
She was there alone and limp.
The other chickens and rooster were milling about the fence line, hiding.
Could the rooster have scared off a hawk and then left waffles like I found her? I want to believe he thought she was dead and went to guard the others, but I just don't know...

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for the update!

-Kathy