Extended hawk attack and large open wound - what treatment?

[homegrown]

You are doing all the right things. I had a hawk attack on one of my hens and with TLC she is 100% healed and back with the rest of the flock. Feathers are all grown back in and would never know she had a big gash in her back. Your girl will be good as new also.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

So glad you rescued your Caramel! Warmth is important. The isolation is key! One of my chickens was attacked by a fisher cat and my chicken lived.....and is doing just great. Keep up the good work.....she will do just fine. Keep us posted!

 

[XanderWiFi]

What they said. But I want to emphasize the trimming feathers back heavily. Many times there are more extensive wounds concealed beneath.

Pictures after cleaning and trimming will help towards gaining more in depth guidance if needed.

 

[Rivington]

Thank you for your advice. I was a little reluctant to cut her feathers too much because I don't really know what I am doing. I will try to take away more this afternoon. We did notice this morning that within the wound there is a deep cut (you can see this in the close up photo from yesterday) that still seems to have fresh pooled blood within it. It's not bleeding out as far as I can see but doesn't seem to be drying. We have seen her peck at the wound a few times so I'm not sure if she is aggravating the issue.

She is a little more lethargic today and eating less but still moving around. We put a golf ball in her enclosure to try to encourage her to relax by brooding but she has not shown too much interest. I hope this is a case of having a dip in energy before she starts improving.

 

[GretaGarboFirst]

I use Vetricyn for my chickens. It works well. That wound is quite deep as I look again at your pictures. If she picks perhaps a gauze type rap that is porous would help her leave it alone. Have you offered scrambled eggs? Chickens usually love them.....

 

[Rivington]

So we have just given a more thorough pluck and clean and applied lots of neosporin. Here are the latest photos. The closeup is after cleaning with saline solution but before applying neosporin. The other pic is after the neosporin.

The wound looks deep and there is a whiff of a rotten smell, not too noticeable though, a bit like a broiler left out too long. Not sure if this is the dried blood or a sign of infection. We will try to give her scrambled eggs to see if her appetite improves.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

One of our girls was attacked by a hawk. She was hiding under a loose flagstone leaning against the house and I mistook her cries for a neighborhood child. I caught the hawk in the act and it flew off. She has a scratch on her face and a large open wound on her back. She is walking and is drinking but is clearly traumatized. I would appreciate any advice on treatment. I have Vetricyn but have never used it.

Here are some photosView attachment 1198492View attachment 1198493 View attachment 1198494

Praying for speedy recovery for your little one

 

[Hamiam]

I find that chickens don't like the taste of Blue Kote. I use it on girls being picked on & recently on a pullet with wounds similar to your girl. We think she was attacked by a hawk. I had her separated but it seemed to stress her more. So I used the Blue Kote & watched to make sure no one was picking at her wounds. I just reapplied everyday & watched to make sure it was scabing over. (I think neosporin may keep the wounds too moist) She would cry out when we applied the Blue Kote, like it burns. It seemed to hurt less as it dried & healed. Hopes she has a quick recovery! Scrambled eggs & some wet crumbles or pellets will help her nutrition/healing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do not use BluKote on such a deep wound, but you can later when it has healed some. You might want to clean the wound with plain saline, or use some Hibiclens (chlorhexidene) or betadine with water for a day or two. It looks like there could be a little pus or runny drainage in the would. You could clean it by applying a warm wet compress. That might also soften the crust, and then apply a coating of plain Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment. An old TShirt could be fashioned into a loose dressing.

 

[Rivington]

We did use a homemade saline. I put a teaspoon of salt in a clean spray bottle and topped it up with warm water. I'll leave her for tonight but when I clean it tomorrow I will let it dry before applying more neosporin/Theracyn and check for any pus. I'll leave it open to the air for now and check to see if she is still pecking.