Hawk Attack

[daydreamtime]

So, I four have 3 or 4 weeks old chicks still in the brooder pen in my garage. It has minimal cover on it because it's inside. I had the door open working on something and a hawk flew in and tried to take one off the perch. With me in the room... I was shocked. It couldn't because of the wire, but the chick is hurt. She isn't standing on her right leg and falls completely over on her side. I've given her a little aspirin from the Vet for pain, but I don't know what to do. She's traumatized and scared, she can't stand up or sit up and lays on her side attempting to do both. She's eating and drinking while I hold her. She can still grab with the foot, it just seems like she doesn't want to put weight on it, or can't and it seems turned inward.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chick. That is unbelievable about the hawk coming in your garage. It sounds like a chick chair might be a good thing to get her up and in front of food and water. Do you see any swelling or redness in her leg? Light splinting can be done or you could just let her rest her leg. Here is an article that shows many pictures of homemade chick chairs and slings like the one below:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[daydreamtime]

It does look a bit swollen, and she cheeps if I rub it. This is a great idea for her; I'm going to make this right away. The chicks started screeching, and I turned around, and at first, my brain didn't comprehend it- I thought it was a chicken at first and I thought what is it doing out of the run? Then I realized it was a hawk and I started running. It flew out and I slammed the door shut; it sat out on a branch looking at me through the window. At first, I thought they'd gotten away unscathed, but then I realized that one wasn't standing up. She still seems very scared, she used to come to me and now she looks like she's trying to escape from the slightest breeze. The brooder is in the middle of the garage, I'm moving it to the back and putting a more significant cover on it. What I had on top was basically to keep them from hopping out. I never thought- never in my wildest dreams- that a hawk would come inside. There is a big chicken farm next door, I wonder if he preys on them.

 

[denisesoderlind]

I have had a hawk try to grab a rooster out of my arms.
We use shade canopy tents for cover.

 

[daydreamtime]

Wow, time for attempt #2, the first one I made was too short and she kept hopping out and then falling over.

 

[denisesoderlind]

Just put her close to the food and water on a soft towel and let her heal. Like in a shoe box.
Keep her warm enough. And don't isolate her.

 

[Eggcessive]

This one is in the link in post 2. It is an oats box. I cut it around the middle and put the top into the bottom half. You can weight it down as needed, and put paper towels in the bottom for droppings. The lid needs to have some tape or padding around the sharp plastic, but the chick can have a food and water tray.

 

[daydreamtime]

Just put her close to the food and water on a soft towel and let her heal. Like in a shoe box.
Keep her warm enough. And don't isolate her.

They won't peck at her?

 

[daydreamtime]

She's doing a lot better, up and walking with a limp but in good spirits and much less jumping than right after the attack. Thanks for all the help everyone! I honestly still can't believe that hawk came inside. I've moved my brooder all the way to the back, so hopefully, the hawk won't be able to hear or see them at all. I'm making a frame lid with hardware cloth. We've had a wild last week, caught three raccoons, and an opossum in live traps around the house after they killed my miniature schnauzer- well the raccoons did that, not the opossum, and then the indoor hawk. County wildlife management is getting tired of me I think.

 

[denisesoderlind]

I'm so glad your chick is healing!