Hawk attacked Silkie bantam

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Poor Ms Penny...looks painful but that Vetericyn is some amazing stuff.
I would just keep trying to give her water... I would not want to eat with that wound. Ouch! Thank goodness you got there in the nick of time.

I always tell people to use it, love it!

 

[cra8ychix]

Yes glad your girl is ok. We have hawks here seems like there is more of them this yr. I think there is even a nest either here in my yard or very close by. I find just like any predator once they know there is a possibility of a meal. They will continue to come back for a while. I do let my girls and boys out to to free range although I sit out side with them. My boys do a pretty good job. So far

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My poor sweet Ms. Penny was attacked by a hawk yesterday morning. By coincidence I had let the dogs out in the yard as the attack was occurring and the hawk flew off. I irrigated the wound, the trachea was exposed and lathered TAO in dressing and bandaged it, gave her .25 mg of prednisone, children’s ibuprofen. She made it thru the night inside and the Vet put 3 stitches in and gave antibiotics, Vetricyn spray <sp? but she will not drink or eat. Been forcing small amounts of electrolyte water. Please help me! This is my first flock, we have six 9 month old hens we’ve raised from 2 days old.
I’m just heartbroken. They have a big run inside an electric fence that will now be net covered until spring hits here in Ohio.

@filmcmahon I'm glad your Silkie is o.k.!

@merceme57 Sometimes new posts get missed in someone else's thread.
It may be better to start your own so you can get answers geared for your particular situation.
I'm sorry that Ms. Penny was injured. Did the vet by any chance show you how to tube fluids into her?

 

[merceme57]

Yesterday late afternoon I was at the coop ushering in the hens for the night. My big Plymouth Rock, Mary was nowhere to be found. She is the alpha and several years old. She always comes running, no Mary! They free range but it is wooded on the side of a mountain. I checked till after dark but no Mary! No feathers etc. Could a hawk pick her up and carry her away with no sign of a struggle? Or was it something else?
I so sad!

 

[merceme57]

@filmcmahon I'm glad your Silkie is o.k.!

@merceme57 Sometimes new posts get missed in someone else's thread.
It may be better to start your own so you can get answers geared for your particular situation.
I'm sorry that Ms. Penny was injured. Did the vet by any chance show you how to tube fluids into her?

Thank you for the responses. I don’t know how to start a thread. Could use some instructions.
Ms Penny is still alive but has a hole in her neck where you can see the right side of the trachea. I’ve got a kit coming today to tube feed a small bird but I definitely can’t go down her right side due to the injury. It’s going to be tricky pulling her neck straight to go in down her left side into the crop but it’s her only chance. As many animals as I’ve raised/rehabbed I’ve never had one with this severe of an injury. She has a few stitches down where the neck rests.
When given water by syringe part of it foams out the side of her wound but very little. Using the Vetri >sp Spray 3 x’s a day, covering with nonstick and then gauze with self stick bandage.
She’s on antibiotics, .25 mg prednisone and bowels have moved today.
Any help with instructions on feeding/watering will be appreciated. She’s still on her feet but spends her time with eyes closed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the responses. I don’t know how to start a thread. Could use some instructions.
Ms Penny is still alive but has a hole in her neck where you can see the right side of the trachea. I’ve got a kit coming today to tube feed a small bird but I definitely can’t go down her right side due to the injury. It’s going to be tricky pulling her neck straight to go in down her left side into the crop but it’s her only chance. As many animals as I’ve raised/rehabbed I’ve never had one with this severe of an injury. She has a few stitches down where the neck rests.
When given water by syringe part of it foams out the side of her wound but very little. Using the Vetri >sp Spray 3 x’s a day, covering with nonstick and then gauze with self stick bandage.
She’s on antibiotics, .25 mg prednisone and bowels have moved today.
Any help with instructions on feeding/watering will be appreciated. She’s still on her feet but spends her time with eyes closed.

Did the vet prescribe the Prednisone?
The crop and esophagus is on the right side of the bird, that's where your syringe or tubing would need to go. See the photo and link below.

The foaming out of the side of her wound when she's given water is concerning. If the vet stitched her up, you may want to call them back and ask about that.
Does the wound have any bad/foul odor?

I've included a photo that may be helpful on how to start a thread. If you don't do that, it's o.k., just reply back here on this thread, I get alerts for it and can tag in others that may be able to give you some tips too. Why don't I do that now --- @Eggcessive @casportpony @coach723

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[coach723]

I'm so sorry about your hen @merceme57 . I agree with @Wyorp Rock , I think speaking to your vet would be best, it sounds like there may be a puncture or tear in the trachea or crop which may need to be repaired, thus the leaking and bubbling. It would need to be closed up separately from the skin over it. My concern with tubing at this point would be the risk of making it worse depending on where it is and how large it is, so I would proceed with caution there and go slowly. Repairs can be done depending on where and how it's torn, so it's not necessarily hopeless. But sooner would be better than later so that infection doesn't set in. Antibiotics are good, but if it's leaking then it will continue to be contaminated with what ever she swallows.

 

[filmcmahon]

Yes glad your girl is ok. We have hawks here seems like there is more of them this yr. I think there is even a nest either here in my yard or very close by. I find just like any predator once they know there is a possibility of a meal. They will continue to come back for a while. I do let my girls and boys out to to free range although I sit out side with them. My boys do a pretty good job. So far

thank you for the reply! me and my siblings or parents will definitely sit outside when we let them out

 

[merceme57]

I'm so sorry about your hen @merceme57 . I agree with @Wyorp Rock , I think speaking to your vet would be best, it sounds like there may be a puncture or tear in the trachea or crop which may need to be repaired, thus the leaking and bubbling. It would need to be closed up separately from the skin over it. My concern with tubing at this point would be the risk of making it worse depending on where it is and how large it is, so I would proceed with caution there and go slowly. Repairs can be done depending on where and how it's torn, so it's not necessarily hopeless. But sooner would be better than later so that infection doesn't set in. Antibiotics are good, but if it's leaking then it will continue to be contaminated with what ever she swallows.

Thank you.
I can’t go down her right side, it leaks right out to the outside. I can go left of her trachea ( her left ) and I’m hoping that will lead to the crop. she’s so thin now. I’m just broken hearted over this and not sure if I can save her. There was so much muscle and skin missing that the vet couldn’t fix the hole, stitching below the hole is all she had to work with.
I need to know if going down to the left of her trachea will work. If not I’m making her suffer and I can’t take that.

 

[merceme57]

Thank you.
I can’t go down her right side, it leaks right out to the outside. I can go left of her trachea ( her left ) and I’m hoping that will lead to the crop. she’s so thin now. I’m just broken hearted over this and not sure if I can save her. There was so much muscle and skin missing that the vet couldn’t fix the hole, stitching below the hole is all she had to work with.
I need to know if going down to the left of her trachea will work. If not I’m making her suffer and I can’t take that.

I tried going left, I can get tubing down about 4 inches, just don’t know if it’s going where it needs to.