Hawk attacked my new babies!

[Ninjasquirrel]

We just got our chickens about 6 weeks ago from tractor supply. They were thriving and finally coop ready so we put them out in the coop for a day our two before letting them out in the run. They didnt take to the run as much as we hoped initially but soon they were all out (getting them back in was a different story). Yesterday we came home from work and our neighbor told us that he thought we lost one because he saw a hawk attack the run. We still had all 8 so we werent concerned until i noticed one that was lethargic. Upon closer examination the poor thing had a puncture wound in her neck, scratches around her eye and a scrap under her left wing. We treated with hydrogen peroxide and neosporin plus a bandage. Shes seperated from the flock but she wont eat. We are giving her water mixed with gatorade from a pippet but we are lost as to what else to do. The rest of the birds are staying in the coop until the hawk decides to move on. Any advice? Theyre just babies still!

 

[Eggcessive]

The hawk will get them all if the run is not covered. To get them to come back into the coop at night, it is good to leave them inside their coop for 7 days and nights, so they know that is where they sleep. Then let then into the run. I would find a way to cover you run with a roof or secure tarp. If you can post a picture of your coop and run, we might be able to help with suggustions.

Rinse the chick’s eye with saline, and Vetericyn or plain triple antibiotic ointment or nesporin one the neck wound. Mix a little runny chick feed with water and egg, and offer it to her all day. Add more water when needed.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

The hawk will get them all if the run is not covered. To get them to come back into the coop at night, it is good to leave them inside their coop for 7 days and nights, so they know that is where they sleep. Then let then into the run. I would find a way to cover you run with a roof or secure tarp. If you can post a picture of your coop and run, we might be able to help with suggustions.

Rinse the chick’s eye with saline, and Vetericyn or plain triple antibiotic ointment or nesporin one the neck wound. Mix a little runny chick feed with water and egg, and offer it to her all day. Add more water when needed.

Thanks for the reply. The run is covered. The chick just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time under the coop in the back corner. We will try the mush meal tonight. Im hoping its just the shock thats keeping her from eating.

 

[TCCL]

Get some bottle rockets and fire them at the hawks when they come around. That’s what we do.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Get some bottle rockets and fire them at the hawks when they come around. That’s what we do.

Haha. Good advice but we werent home when it happened. I know theyre just doing what comes naturally but it does make me severely dislike them

 

[Eggcessive]

We are surrounded by the woods except for the front of our farm. For most of the year we have red tail hawks flying around overhead. Our chickens have several evergreen trees that they run under and hold very still when the rooster sounds the alarm, after spotting a hawk overhead. Large full grown hens don’t usually get picked off because of there weight, but chicks and bantams will be easy prey. Ours roam a large area near their coop, and we have lost a few small birds over the years. My one eyed polish hen was decapited once when she was run into a chainlink fence, while another hawk got on the other side. It is awful to lose one, but my chickens will always free range because they love it. But it is good to keep young chicks and pullets put up behind a fenced in run until they are larger.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

So quick update! Got off work and ran to the store because we were out of eggs and i needed them for a previous posters suggestion. I arrived home to find her moving around and cheeping! She hasnt really eaten or drank but she is acting better. Got her to eat a little mash and drink more water. Nothing but watery poo but she hasnt eaten. Ill keep you all updated. Hopefully we are gonna be a ok!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Morning update! Our patient will drink water with the pippet but she wont drink on her own or eat. We've tried coaxing her to eat by running the runny food alongside her beak but she refuses. We even tried offering her meal worms ground up and strawberries and she refuses everything. If anyone can help we would appreciate it!

 

[ker0412]

Time to breakout the shotgun. Many states allow you to kill hawks or trap them if they'r killing your stock.

 

[ker0412]

If it's throat is damaged then maybe a while it eats. Just keep pushing supplemented water and try offering food as you'v been doing.
The hawk is established in that area apparently, it's not going anywhere unless you rid yourself of it.