Help! Hawk Attack, Chicken Still Alive **Update, 9 p.m.**

[Chickengal505]

Quote:
. Put some Duramycin in his drinking water. Hope this helps. I don't know about the neck though.

LOL awsome fowl hes an only chicken so there is no one to seperate him from

edited to say: OOPs sorry didnt see the only chicken with a NAME sorry my mistake

 

[sourland]

He probably took a blow to the head and may have the equivalent of a human concussion. You are doing all the right things with him. Time will tell the tale of his recovery. Sometimes they seem fragile but most of the time chickens are truly resilient. It sounds like he has made significant improvement over the course of the day. Hopefully tomorrow wil bring more good news. He can go a significant period of time without eating if he is in good flesh. Some water with electrolytes might be a good idea. good luck, and don't give up on him.

 

[ourlittleflock]

any pics - so we can see his neck?

 

[Chickengal505]

hmmm the name wont come to me but in chicks when they learn to stand right after birth if they cant get their balance right their neck crooks to the side to try and even body weight out so they are mobile... maybe an adult verstion of whatever its called?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

We had a hawk attack on Christmas Eve. Not nearly as severe as yours from the sound of it but my hen was clearly in shock and the full extent of her injuries were not evident until the days following. She had a pretty good stagger going for a couple of days because of a deep gash and bruising to one thigh. My hen was lucky in that she was able to protect her head and neck from the hawk. Her wounds were all to her body. After cleaning up the wounds I did find, I kept her locked in a nest box for 24 hours with food and water. I was able to return her to the flock quickly because she's the lead hen so the other birds left her alone. It has been 10 days now and her "holes" still horrify me but she appears to be recovering. She still grooms her wounds pretty much constantly. I hope all good things for your poor bird. They do seem to have a remarkable ability to heal.

 

[MissJenny]

Have you seen any of the posts where people have nestled their injured birds in a sling to get them up right. Most of them are very clever -- made out of cardboard or fabric or pots. Think about it -- a full grown hen stood up in a pot, supported with bedding or towels. A canvas sling with holes cut in for feet and vent, suspended in a plastic tote. There are ways to get this guy upright. As for his neck... I am not sure what might happen there. I would give him vitamins to boost his system.

Keep us posted please.

Jenny

 

[jjthink]

Electrolytes for shock - in a pinch you can spritz some Pedialtye on something he likes (e.g. watermelon) - depends what you can get him to take right now. Can also spritz in water if he's drinking. Pedialtye must be kept cold so assume anything w/Pedialyte that is not consumed pretty quickly may have lost its efficacy. Drop or two of Rescue Remedy in water for stress. As you have been, continue to keep him in a warm dry comfy quite place so no energy has to be expended on anything other than getting through this awful trauma.
JJ

 

[sourland]

How is your rooster today?

 

[Alexia]

my 9 week old polish just got attacked by a hawk. She is still alive, breathing heavely. I brought her in the house and I am trying to keep her warm and I gave her some water with sugar. She has some small wounds to both sides of her head. Her eyes are closed. Sometimes if I try to move her she will flop her wings and try to move around. Like your her head/neck is twisted. I don't think her neck is broken otherwise she would be dead by now. Please HELP. Any advise, ideas what to do?

 

[GatorChickenRanch]

I thank god every day that the local hawk is warded off by my guineas...