Hawk attacked my hen, help with wounds please!

[SwtGrc]

Can you modify the thread title for more urgency and specifics? Maybe call out the possible pneumothorax after “hawk attack”?

I'm not certsin it's a pneumothorax at the moment...breathing, eating fine.
Changed title, better??

 

[micstrachan]

Yes! I hope you get more answers with that. People here have definitely dealt with ruptured air sacs before, in case that’s the problem. Would have to google pneumothorax, but sounds like air in the chest?

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, and I’m glad she’s breathing and eating fine! A little extra protein to help rebuild tissue, plus vitamins and electrolytes i her water might be good, too. Is she in a nice warm spot?

 

[SwtGrc]

Oh, and I’m glad she’s breathing and eating fine! A little extra protein to help rebuild tissue, plus vitamins and electrolytes i her water might be good, too. Is she in a nice warm spot?

Yes, I have her in my laundry room. Made a little shirt for her to cover the major wound and keep clean until I figure out what to do tomorrow. Thanks for your help! I'll definitely keep an eye out for a pneumo

 

[tedschickens]

Hi there! The larger wound is under her wing on her breast. No breathing issues other than stress. Still eating and moving around. I've separated her to keep a closer eye on her.
What do you mean by "paper tape"? Just like scotch tape?

It’s a medical tape you can get at an drug store or anyplace with first aid stuff. 3m is a popular brand, near peroxide and bandaids.It’s a thin tape that’s like a soft thin paper on one side and sticky on the other. It comes off really gently if you get it wet with saline or water so it won’t hurt them. I’d imagine there’s enough skin in that area to close the wound no? Man that hawk must have been ready to fly off with the poor baby .
Main thing is keep it clean and probably start antibiotics. Hopefully a BYC Senior advisor will jump in with what type would be best but you can always call some feed and supply places or even find a vet that treats birds and just call and ask. I’ve gotten tons of free info that way when I first started with my chickens. Most of the chicken vets are chicken people and are pretty cool about advice.

Oh also check out this awesome first aid thread someone made!!! Hope it helps. They don’t have paper tape in their kit, they have the cloth like tape but I was a human nurse so I always used paper tape ‍. I like it better but I’m sure you can use small band aids or whatever you have to close it. Infection if probably the biggest worry at this point. Lots of tlc and supportive nutrition would be great but you sound like you have that down already. Sorry I’m not much help, I’m a newbie so I’m still learning but let me know if you need anything else and keep us posted!!!
Damn Hawk, the first one I ever saw was a few weeks ago. It went after my silkie and stood it’s ground towards me when I ran over to save her. I told my husband he stared at me like he’ll be back for me! Aah, it freaked me out.
Sorry this happened I know it’s so stressful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...essential-supplies-and-how-to-use-them.64830/

 

[tedschickens]

Hey How are things today? How are you and -insert chicken name here-?

 

[SwtGrc]

It’s a medical tape you can get at an drug store or anyplace with first aid stuff. 3m is a popular brand, near peroxide and bandaids.It’s a thin tape that’s like a soft thin paper on one side and sticky on the other. It comes off really gently if you get it wet with saline or water so it won’t hurt them. I’d imagine there’s enough skin in that area to close the wound no? Man that hawk must have been ready to fly off with the poor baby .
Main thing is keep it clean and probably start antibiotics. Hopefully a BYC Senior advisor will jump in with what type would be best but you can always call some feed and supply places or even find a vet that treats birds and just call and ask. I’ve gotten tons of free info that way when I first started with my chickens. Most of the chicken vets are chicken people and are pretty cool about advice.

Oh also check out this awesome first aid thread someone made!!! Hope it helps. They don’t have paper tape in their kit, they have the cloth like tape but I was a human nurse so I always used paper tape ‍. I like it better but I’m sure you can use small band aids or whatever you have to close it. Infection if probably the biggest worry at this point. Lots of tlc and supportive nutrition would be great but you sound like you have that down already. Sorry I’m not much help, I’m a newbie so I’m still learning but let me know if you need anything else and keep us posted!!!
Damn Hawk, the first one I ever saw was a few weeks ago. It went after my silkie and stood it’s ground towards me when I ran over to save her. I told my husband he stared at me like he’ll be back for me! Aah, it freaked me out.
Sorry this happened I know it’s so stressful.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...essential-supplies-and-how-to-use-them.64830/

Oh! I gotcha!! I know what tape you’re talking about! Yeah I’ll try that! She’s doing well, still eating and right now she’s outside foraging (under supervision).
I appreciate your suggestions, thank you!
I made a little shirt for her to cover the wound while she heals. Still cleaning the wounds with saline. I need to get betadine solution.

 

[SwtGrc]

Hey How are things today? How are you and -insert chicken name here-?

She’s doing well! Still eating, bright and alert. Wounds are still being cleaned up. Feeling positive.
She’s outside foraging right now with the other ladies. I made a shirt to cover her wounds while they heal.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yikes-large-wound-on-hen.1141144/#post-17736677

That is a thread I started when I had a hen with a nasty wound. You can give it a once over if you have the chance.

To sum up, I used Vetericyn and Coconut Oil on her wound. To hold gauze in place I made her a little stockinette vest.
I have been told people have used toddler tank tops in the same fashion.
You could use paper tape or steri strips to pull the wounds closed but not seal them. You want them to drain if they need to.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[lazy gardener]

If you can get steri strips those would be the best, but I have not been able to find them.