Hawk Attack

[GreenGables]

I let the chickens out around 4:30 pm. After about 5 minutes I heard them get upset and I ran out the side door
where 2 of my chickens were. I then saw 2 birds under the house in the backyard. My Pearl White Leghorn was laying down
and what I thought was my Barred Rock ended up being a hawk. My husband scared the hawk away. When I opened
the back door she got up and hobbled into the house. I picked her up and noticed a brown and yellow grainy substance
on her chest. It was her crop area that was cut open. The cut was about 1 inch in length. All I could think of was what
do I do, let her die or try to help her. So I got out the needle and thread and stitched it. I gave her around 10 stitches.
I put some triple antibiotic ointment on the area and put her back in the coop. The other hens were up on their roost for
the night. She ate a little and then headed up the ramp. I placed her on the roost and she was there until the next morning.
I had to go away for a few days so I could not watch her. 7 days later I removed the stitches and applied more of the
ointment. It looked like she may have pecked at the stitches a little and there is an area approximately 6/8 inch in diameter
that is hardened and a dark brown color. She has been laying an egg daily since the attack and does not act sick. Should
I be doing something else for her? I did sprinkle some garlic powder in the chicken water for 3 days hoping it would help
prevent infection. This is my first message on BYC. Thank you.

 

[sourland]

A job well done. You didn't know you would become a chicken surgeon when you started on this journey did you! Chickens are far more resilient and hardy than some give them credit for.

 

[GreenGables]

Thank you for your positive response. It affirmed that what I did was good.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

Nice job

Sounds like that hawk was just waiting for them

Question: did you stitch the crop as well as the skin?
How did she handle the pain? How ever did you get her to stay still for that???

Carrie Lynn

 

[Miss Lydia]

great job

 

[GreenGables]

Unfortunately, I looked at the picture of a chicken's anatomy later that night. I then realized that I stitched the crop to the skin below which meant that the lower part of the crop was not attached. It was too late at this point and I wasn't going to undo the stitches. I just hoped and prayed that she would get better. As I mentioned, the area looks as though she opened a part of it but it formed a hard crust on that area. There doesn't appear to be any redness or oozing of any matter which would indicate infection. My chicken is 8 months of age and her behavior has not changed at all. I only have 5 chickens. They trust me. As soon as I came to the back door, this chicken hobbled in hoping I would help her. After I washed the area she began to close her eyes to sleep but opened them every time I spoke. I had to remain calm because as she looked at me I felt that she could sense my feelings. She remained calm as I stitched. She could have been in shock but I'm not sure.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

I hope she can heal, please keep us updated.

Good Luck

 

[ranchhand]

Job well done!

For future reference? My vet suggested using Superglue to close wounds, leaving a tiny space for drainage, if needed.

 

[AndreaS]

Sounds like you followed your instincts and did an amazing job! I might consider following up with a round of penicillin shots to be on the safe side. Here is a great article for your reference.

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[GreenGables]

Thank you all so very much for the advice and information. I will keep you all informed on how my chicken is doing. You are all great!!!