Hawk Attack

[BellaBlueBell]

Lucy is doing well this morning. Her eye is beginning to open up, just a little. Her neck wound looks clean, no smell or discharge. She's still in the basement cage, but we are reconfiguring the outside pen to put her back out near her buddies with a divider so they can't attack her.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That's good to hear!
Just keep in mind being outside she is much more likely to get it all dirty.

 

[BellaBlueBell]

Still improving. Eye is open now, but still has a little swelling. The wound is clean, no smell or discharge. It is darkening, like it is forming scab, and looks smaller. It would be slightly smaller than a silver dollar now. She is eating a little scrambled egg and salmon twice a day and still laying an egg daily.

We put a pen that is attached to a rabbit hutch next to the other chicken pen. Today is sunny and warmer, so I put her out there, thinking sunshine and fresh air are the best healer. All the chickens are squawking and seem nervous; I guess they want to be together. But yesterday, I took her into the pen with them, just to see what would happen. The other two pecked at her, so I quickly removed her.

Do you think she will be alright out there? We still have some cold nights, so I'll probably bring her in overnight. But I'd like her to stay out there during the day. Truly, I can't stand the smell and mess in my basement. I feel like I have poop on me all the time and the smell is embedding in my nostrils. Gross!!

 

[aart]

Do you think she will be alright out there?

Outside, but separated from the flock, during the day sounds good.
Best bet would be a wire crate right in the coop at night and the run during the day.

 

[Redbud55]

I would continue with the Triple Antibiotic Ointment on the wound. I like Nustock for leg mites, vent pecking or irritation, and minor wounds, but not for a deep wound.

I’ve used it for deep wounds. It was the only thing that healed it. Just my experience. I won’t hardly use anything else.

 

[Kaddi143]

That looks like a pretty deep hole. I would keep her in a warm quiet dimly lit or dark space tonight. Keep using the Neosporin on it. Monitor her feed intake to make sure she is eating well.

For more on long-term care I will defer to the more experienced folks like @EggSighted4Life.

Lord I hate hawks