Hawk attack: considerable flesh loss around wing

[ChickenDadDave]

Hi guys,

We had a hawk attack and when I went to chase off the perpetrator our two month old silkie (hence the black skin) popped up and headed for the shrubs. After wrangling her, she has a couple of puncture wounds and the hawk did take a pretty good chunk off her left wing. The bone is not broken, but is visible. We cleaned, used non-pain killer Neosporin, and wrapped up with gauze. She was acting shocky for a while but is now (three hours post attack) she is walking and cheeping. Offered scrambled eggs and electrolyte water. We have her in a dark quiet room in the house.

Thoughts on additional steps?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi guys,

We had a hawk attack and when I went to chase off the perpetrator our two month old silkie (hence the black skin) popped up and headed for the shrubs. After wrangling her, she has a couple of puncture wounds and the hawk did take a pretty good chunk off her left wing. The bone is not broken, but is visible. We cleaned, used non-pain killer Neosporin, and wrapped up with gauze. She was acting shocky for a while but is now (three hours post attack) she is walking and cheeping. Offered scrambled eggs and electrolyte water. We have her in a dark quiet room in the house.

Thoughts on additional steps?

Welcome To BYC

When you have time, post photos of her wounds.

Sounds like you are treating the wounds well. Initial cleaning with an antiseptic (Chlorhexidine/Betadine) or saline is very important. Trimming feathers away from the wounds will help them stay cleaner and will be easier to see and treat.
Once cleaned, Original Neosporin is just fine.

Most wounds do not need to be wrapped, leave them open if possible. The only time to cover a wound is if the bird is actively picking at herself.

Getting her through shock like you are doing is very good. Electrolytes are good and if she's willing to eat, that's good too. Since this is a Silkie, I would also preemptively start her on vitamin therapy to help with stress. I'd 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-Complex daily along with a treat of egg, do this for a couple of weeks. Silkies are more prone to neurological symptoms called Wry Neck which can be brought on by trauma.

Exposed bone *could* be an issue. Some birds heal very well with basic first aid (cleaning of wound/ointment) and have no need of an antibiotic. Sometimes an antibiotic is necessary to work a bird through infection and injury. If you have something already on hand, let us know what you have, we may be able to help you with dosing. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to source an antibiotic like Amoxicillin. Baytril can also be used.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No need to wrap it. Neosporin is good, electrolytes good for shock. Clean the wound twice daily with Hibiclens or saline solution (you can make it yourself) and re-apply the ointment. Give her her regular feed, moisten it if she's reluctant to eat. Might put her in a crate or dog pen in the coop where she can see and be seen by the flock. Watch for flies.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Eggessive is an Educator, her advice is better than mine.

 

[ChickenDadDave]

Apologies for the graphic pic, but here’s the upper left wing.