Hawk attack... is blu kote safe for gaping wounds?

[Gdalton]

A hawk attacked my buff orpington about 4:30 yesterday afternoon. I discovered her being pestered by the dog at 4:40 and noticed blood on the back of her head. When she came out of the bushes, I notice a HUGE open wound on her left breast, and she disappeared for about 1.5 hours while I went looking for the other free ranger. I found her- still alive - and she had enough wits about her to escape me when I attempted to grab her. I brought her inside last night, expecting her to die, but she was still alert and alive this morning. She's pooped, eaten, drank, and fights me when I try to pick her up. I flushed the wound with warm diluted iodine and trimmed the feathers poking the wound. I made a little baby onesie into a cover so her wing feathers would stay out of it.

So, is blue kote safe for something like this? What else should I do with the wound? There's no skin flap really to even sew up if I wanted to attempt that. The fat and muscle are currently exposed. I'm not looking to spend gobs of money on her since chickens are easily replaceable this time of year, but she also doesn't seem to be on death's door. I want to keep her alive if she's still acting normal. Ways to keep infection at bay? What should I do to create a sick bay that will keep her happy (and my house not smelly) while healing?

*WARNING GRAPHIC PICS*





















I have her on her side prior to flushing. It bled just a little bit when I tried to apply some antibiotic ointment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You did well with the flushing of the wound.
If you can use something Vetericyn spray (Tractor Supply or feed store) or chlorhexidine (can usually be found at the pharmacy like Walgreens/CVS), those might be better than Blu Kote since the area is so large.
Do you have a dog crate/kennel that you can put her in? If not maybe make a "corral" with cardboard. Place her on clean bedding, such as pine shavings. Less stinky, not sure about that, but clean it out daily. If you have a kennel that you can put a bar or branch in for her to roost a couple of inches off the bedding, that may help - place some paper towels under the roost at night to catch the nighttime droppings for easier cleanup.
Provide her with her normal feed, you can give her a protein boost with some scrambled/hard boiled egg, tuna, meat, etc. You may want to add some vitamins/electrolytes to the water.
Keeping her wounds clean and dry, hopefully she will not get infection. They do heal fairly quickly. Watch for signs of infection, pus, odors, etc, if infection develops you can usually get antibiotics to add to her water at the local feed store (if needed).
Hope it helps.
Keep us updated

 

[Gdalton]

Well, it's been almost 2 weeks since the attack, and the chicken is still alive! I flushed it twice the first day, once the second day with diluted iodine. I gave a little bit of antibiotics in the water for 1-2 days, a sprinkle of electrolytes the next couple days. She never stopped eating/drinking (or messing) although she didn't move much. I kept her in a cardboard box with a weighted laundry basket on top so I could keep an eye on her. I was sold some aluminum spray coating, but I decided against using it. 4 days ago, I finally decided to let her out of confinement bc the wound looked dry and she kept kicking over her water. Another bird tried to move up in the pecking order, but this bird stuck her plucked neck out and pecked it into submission. Ha! A few hours later she went and laid an egg. Mobility isn't totally regained (she's very awkward trying to take a dust bath with half her wing feathers missing), but she is much improved.

Just thought I'd give a little hope to others with under-the-wing injuries!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, it's been almost 2 weeks since the attack, and the chicken is still alive! I flushed it twice the first day, once the second day with diluted iodine. I gave a little bit of antibiotics in the water for 1-2 days, a sprinkle of electrolytes the next couple days. She never stopped eating/drinking (or messing) although she didn't move much. I kept her in a cardboard box with a weighted laundry basket on top so I could keep an eye on her. I was sold some aluminum spray coating, but I decided against using it. 4 days ago, I finally decided to let her out of confinement bc the wound looked dry and she kept kicking over her water. Another bird tried to move up in the pecking order, but this bird stuck her plucked neck out and pecked it into submission. Ha! A few hours later she went and laid an egg. Mobility isn't totally regained (she's very awkward trying to take a dust bath with half her wing feathers missing), but she is much improved.

Just thought I'd give a little hope to others with under-the-wing injuries!

Glad to hear she is on the mend

Thank you for the update and a detailing your course of treatment, I'm sure it will be helpful for someone in the future.

 

[Jills21]

How did you know this was a hawk? I have a chicken with a similar breast wound. But there was no wound on her back or head area.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I know this was years ago, but for anyone needing answers...
Same thing happened to me years ago with my buff Orrington, I wrapped her up real good with gauze after cleaning it and she healed well, best thing is to keep predators and infection away.