Hawk Attack......Should we just put her down???

[Appleby2003]

I went outside about 20 minutes ago and heard the chickens and crows in the backyard making all sorts of ruckus. Knowing it was probably a hawk in the trees I walked around back and saw a Cooper Hawk on one of the hens. I TOOK OFF running through the yard and the hawk flew off but not before inflicted a very serious wound. I thought the hen was dead but then I noticed he was upright and breathing.

Her whole skull is showing as you can see and the skin is peeled to around her ear. Her eyes are intact I think (one for sure but the other is closed althought it doesn't look damaged. The tear extends down her neck a little but I would say it's about 2" x 2".....problem is the location. Am I wasting my fine trying to save her??????? Is it not worth the pain for her? We cleaned the wound and applied neosporin liberally. She is now in the garage in a large dog crate resting and still quite in shock but standing on her own. From anyones experience should I just put her down??? So sad.

 

[Appleby2003]

 

[CMV]

That's nothing. Clean it well with peroxide, dry the area well and superglue the edges shut.

 

[CMV]

Is there enough skin left to do that? It is the easiest way to deal with these gaping wounds. They take forever to heal otherwise.

 

[Silkiehen]

Try and save her! Wash it with water and put triple antibiotic ointment on it! Look on my most recent post, that's one I am trying to save.

 

[Appleby2003]

Boy I'm not sure there is enough skin to pull it up together and super glue it........ It just seems like it's missing although I suppose it could just be a tear. We have her calm and in a nice warm spot. Headed to tractor supply for some antibiotic and then we'll decide on the glue i guess.

 

[CMV]

The quicker the better. The longer you wait the greater the chance for infection. You may need to trim off some feathers to get a clean line.

 

[Appleby2003]

I wish we'd of tried to glue before putting the neosporin on it. Cleaning that stuff off is going to prove troublesome I bet. On my was back from tractor supply with electrolytes and antibiotic. I'll assess the situation after that I suppose. Maybe try and pull the skin. She's no going to like that but its for her own good.

 

[Silkiehen]

From the looks of the picture, I wouldn't try to pull the skin together. I would just doctor it and put medicine on it until it heals.

 

[Appleby2003]

She's in the crate in the garage (lights out) with her eyes shut and her head just rocking slowly back and forth. She's standing and had a few bowel movements. Just looks to be shocked and possibly sleeping.....or dying. We'll see. I'm personally not very emotional about the chickens but the kids love them. This ones name is Noodle so I'll do my best to save her for them. There definitely isnt enough skin to pull unfortunately plus its torn awkwardly around the ear. We'll have to take the long road with this one. Stupid hawk. Its clear from the scene that she got away from it at least twice but not the third time. Its astounding that I came outside at that moment because I hadn't been out in hours. 1 minute later and shes dead. One minute early and she's unscathed. Crazy how that works.