Hawk attack - will my chicken survive?

[deepbluesea]

That all sounds pretty good! Fifi has balance issues as well--not sure what's going on. She's doing all of the other chicken things, though. Well, except laying, but she was just coming back from a HARD molt when this happened. Hope she continues to improve!

 

[XanderWiFi]

I see it as a situation similar to someone your size jumping off a roof, steak knives in hand, landing on you and stabbing you at the same time. You will probably be limping for a while too

One of my pullets suffered a hawk strike as well. Was fortunate enough to get away and live but the story sounds similar. She had a limp for some time and a bent (likely broken that way) toe. The limp is barely detectable at high speed runs now though the toe remained bent (I am uncertain it was from the hawk or just a deformity or something else).

The big focus of this wound is that it is a puncture wound. They may look good from the outside but the damage is underneath. When my bird was hit, I made sure to firmly irrigate the wound 1-2 times a day with diluted betadine and/or peroxide and then slathered with the triple antibiotic. This was likely uncomfortable but its comparable to why cat bites are treated so heavily-it is not the wound itself, but what is introduced with the puncture.

Additionally, I suspect one of my bird's air sacs was ruptured from the attack as well. Subcutaneous emphysema became apparent so I conducted some needle decompressions. Very shallowly inserting the needle and pulling air out to prevent air pressure on internal organs etc. My little Mohawk was looking a little like a puffer fish.

Other than that we kept her separate in her own little tote, food and water, and during the day we would put her on the deck to have some visitation with the rest of the flock. We think they all missed one another.

I was happy she pulled through. Ever since she trusts me much more than the other chooks. Just some extra items and perspectives from my experience.