Hawk attacked one of our chicks

[TwistedSteel]

1/4" or 1/2 " hardware cloth. Available at hardware, farm stores or from Amazon.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks for the response, I'll admit I probably should have cleaned it out with some hydrogen peroxide or something, my thoughts were such that the hawk really had his talon in the thigh and there was no way I could clean that depth of injury, I was sort of freaked out by the whole thing and just wanted her to be better. My mistake and if it ever happens again I'll try to think more clearly. BUT, we contacted an online avian veterinarian from just answer.com and Dr. Mike was very helpful, he suggested two things, oral suspension antibiotic enrofloxacin and Meloxicam for pain/inflammation. I called my long time vet (we have many cats) and they were not too much help until I started shmoozin and reminding them how many animals we had and how long we've been going there, and they finally agreed to prescribe the medications under one of our cats names, WHEW!
There was no possibility for the fly strike as we discovered her with the hawk in mid attack, and we ordered some blue-kote.

So now, I need some suggestions for a cheap fix, something the hawk cant get through. I'll post photos of out juvenile temporary outdoor environment (until I complete the permanent coop) and you can see how it is set up. What can we use for the bottom one foot or so to band around the enclosure to keep that hungry hawk from getting her chicken grabbers through the barrier? I was looking at some fiberglass mesh that is at Lowes, 8" x100 foot roll I think it is called vent mesh and keeps out snakes rodents and such, it is similar to fiberglass winsow screen. Let me know any ideas.

Thanks,
Ron and Angela

Fly strike happens during the healing process. Flies will lay their larvae in the wound and then your chicken gets maggots. Watch for maggots, may have been a better thing to say.

1/4" Hardware Cloth is the best thing to fortify your chicken run.

I'm glad you found a veterinarian to help out!!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So sorry about your chick! Chickens are amazing healers,just keep her quiet watch for infection. I put out a scarecrow with aluminum pie pans tied to it with long yarn. Hawks hate it!

@glassdragonfly , can you post a pic of your scarecrow? I'm having difficulties with a red-tailed hawk and could sure use some help!

@BuffDaddy6 , welcome to BYC! I'm sorry it was under these circumstances and hope things get better for you and your babies! If you haven't done so already, please introduce yourself under the New Members thread!

 

[BuffDaddy6]

UPDATE ON OUR INJURED BABY

Our vet told us to get another chicken, thanks a lot! We contacted an avian vet online through justanswer.com by the name of Dr. Mike McIntyre. Sorry for the shameless advertising but this man was our Godsend. He was patient, caring, concerned, kind and mostly competent. We chatted only via text, sent photos and video clips forth and back and he has hung in there with us the entire time. First he prescribed an antibiotic to ward off infection and also Miloxicam, an anti-inflammatory to alleviate pain and to promote healing. I had to get these meds through my own vet who bucked and faunched a bit until I reminded them how long we had been bringing our 11 cats there and how much money we had spent on them. After the meds were started recovery was slow out of the gate and we were not hopeful. She is such a sweet chicken and we spent a lot of time just being with her. Meds every day and physical therapy, working her legs and keeping everything lubricated and loosened up, no real improvement until almost two weeks.
Here is a before pic with all her sisters and brother

The gang of six before their innocence was robbed from them by the ruthless hawk attack.

The Sling Angela fabbed for Chitters to be able to move herself back and forth in the carrier. It worked well and she was able to start her feet moving, though not well. Notice the shoe to keep her foot flat and going the right direction. She kept a good attitude but DID NOT like medicine time!

This is the lawn enclosure (tractor) AFTER we changed the chicken wire to ½" hardware cloth.

They all spent their days outdoors in the yard while I was working on the permanent chicken coop. Our existing henhouse was as old as the garage, likely early 60's, and a fairly simple project turned into another nightmare. I ended up tearing the entire thing down and rebuilding it completely from the , well 2ft. below the ground up. Now it is a respectable fortress for those hens. We're still investigating the best roosting configuration inside.

Her superglued bandage fell off and now there is no visual evidence of the injury. Dr. Mike believes the feeling should come back into her toes as healing progresses, but she has been getting better every day. Yesterday I watched her run at full speed from one end of the chicken house to the other with her siblings and playing chicken games most of the day. They all settled down to naps together and it has done our hearts good to see this amazingly resilient chicken recover and thrive.
After an extended time in solitary she has been released back into Gen-Pop with the other birds. This is her in the back right hand corner, she is very happy to be back.

You tube video showing early stages of physical therapy.

You tube Vid showing later stage of P.T. LEarning to get those legs working in a bicycle/walking motion.

You tube showing two days ago and Chitters has started getting the walking thing down, her progress from then has been simply stunning!!

We wanted to post this information to show our appreciation for all the help and support we have been shown here on this forum. There is a wealth of knowledge and all just here for the taking. Hopefully we can give back in some way. Thank you for aiding in a successful recovery from a dire situation.

Best wishes to all from,
Ron and Angela

 

[ValerieJ]

That was so cool! Good job with this little one!

 

[doublecrossranch]

That is so amazing! I’m so happy for you all.

 

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an awesome caring chicken mom they have a little palace now . and all the therapy you did for the chicken makes my heart so happy to see such caring people left in this world . it brought tears to my eyes i love this site . good luck with all your chickies.