Hawk killed my Bantam EE and severly wounded my Barred Rock

[Vanessabuffsnsilkies]

I had an attack today. I thought I scared the hawk off but this evening when I closed up the coop I found a 3 month old pullet under the door. Her crop was swollen and her belly are almost raw. I know she probly won't make it through the night. I put her in a crate in the coop with a heat lamp. (no chickens in the house per DH) This is the first time in 2 years I've even seen a hawk around! Now what? Will they keep coming back? I'll have to try the fishing line til I can get something built. I'm not feeding the hawks.

 

[myfester]

Oh no Vanessa!

Don't give up on her...I thought for sure my hen wouldn't make it either, but she's healing up surprisingly well, although terrified still to come out of the coop. What I did for my girl is gave her a warm sponge bath (I put her in a plastic bin and has a bucket of warm water which I cleaned up her wounds). After gently drying her with a towel, I put that blue lotion I got from the feed store. I did it daily for the first few days until it crusted over. I didn't put her out with the group til she was pretty healed. I worried about flies and gnats laying eggs in her wounds. It's a bummer your DH won't let her in the house. I kept mine in a large dog crate with lots of newspaper under her. If your girl is outside, check her frequently for bugs and definitely keep her warm and safe from the other chickens.

I am told that hawks will keep coming back as long as they have "food" available to them. So far, with my new pen setup, I haven't seen the hawk even over my property. I think it may be working.

My thoughts go out to you. Please update on her status.

 

[Mattemma]

Thanks for posting the pictures!