Hawk attack!

[Sapphire Sebright]

I made the mistake of not latching the door (it sticks) when I left for 2 minutes to get clean the water canisters. On my way back my (Queen chick) Molly was screaming like rooster and then I saw the hawk in the enclosure..(My brave MolMol was fighting the darn Hawk). I noticed two of my babies lying inside one of the coops and went into mommy mode with the broom. My coops are in an enclosure that is completely netted and i could not figure how the Hawk got in, the door was closed when I got to the chickens. I let (2) out to hide in the garden Molly got all the rest most of them safe in the coops boxes. The hawk was freaking out hanging from the netting trying to get out as I swatted it. I left the door open so I could get it to fly out. He looked at me I looked at him and he knew if he did not leave it was curtains.
I did get him out of the coop, one of my twins Easter egg er babies was gone. I thought the other was too but she was breathing, she had a small hole in the top of her head and a wound in her side. She could not stand she flopped over with her eyes closed. I warmed her made up a box, and put her under a warming light. Treated her wounds, I thought she would not live through the night ; but she did, I used a dropper to giver her water and tricked her into eating some crumble with water.
At this time we got to giver her a better exam. I did not want to do it the day before because of the trauma. I noticed a purple clot under her skin and removed it using wound spray for the scratches and punchers. She seems to be healing very well. We are on Day (3) but she still can not stand. She is eating and chirping, her legs are both moving. Can anyone give me some advise as to what may be wrong. Does she just need rest time from the trauma of being grabbed. Never again will I leave the door unlatched. Dam wind!

Poor little girl! I hope that she's just still shaken from the attack and that there isn't anything else too wrong with her.
Also, welcome to BackYard Chickens! We hope that you have a good time and can find help here.
Good luck with your birds, and may God bless you.

 

[-Kiwi-]

Hi and welcome to BYC ! I've never personally dealt with a hawk attack survivor, but in my experience with dog attacks internal injuries are common when they don't get up after a few days. Is she pooping? Is her crop emptying completely at night?
I say give her some time, but if she doesn't get better after a week or so it might just be better to euthanize

Good luck and I hope she gets better!

 

[Tranquilgarden]

Poor little girl! I hope that she's just still shaken from the attack and that there isn't anything else too wrong with her.
Also, welcome to BackYard Chickens! We hope that you have a good time and can find help here.
Good luck with your birds, and may God bless you.

Thank you This was a great find for help, books only go so far. I hope that is just the shock.

 

[Tranquilgarden]

Hi and welcome to BYC ! I've never personally dealt with a hawk attack survivor, but in my experience with dog attacks internal injuries are common when they don't get up after a few days. Is she pooping? Is her crop emptying completely at night?
I say give her some time, but if she doesn't get better after a week or so it might just be better to euthanize

Good luck and I hope she gets better!

Yes she is pooping fine. She is eating and drinking as well, she seems to be trying to get up so I am hoping its just being sore after the trauma. Thank you

 

[Tranquilgarden]

I’m sorry about what happened. Hawks are horrible! I can’t help you, but I’m sure others can!

Thank you

 

[Tranquilgarden]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Hawks kill/injure as much by impact as with their talons. Your bird may have skeletal injuries as well as still be in shock. As long as it is eating and drinking there is hope. Good luck.

Thank you, all the information is most helpful.

 

[-Kiwi-]

Yes she is pooping fine. She is eating and drinking as well, she seems to be trying to get up so I am hoping its just being sore after the trauma. Thank you

That's great! I would feel pretty sore too if something five times my size had crashed on my from the sky....

 

[drumstick diva]

So sorry about your hen, hope she has the BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, Welcome to BYC! Good luck with your injured bird .

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome. I hope your little pullet is improving.