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

[Echobabe]

Keep her warm and calm in a dark room, in your house if possible. Clean her up as best you can. Lots of neosporin/topical antibiotic. She'll need lots of sleep if she's going to recover. Try to get her to drink some water. Water is more important that food right now. She may not act hungry for a day or so. If she wants to eat, offer wet things too, to try to get more fluid in her. Egg yolk (if she'll take some) for energy.

There are many threads here discussing recovery from various animal attacks--

I read stories like this and feel lucky the 2 hawk attacks we've had ended quickly, and with only a few bad tears in the back from talons. I hope you girl bounces back up~

 

[ChooksChick]

I agree- they can live through some amazing stuff, and it's just an individual situation. Disinfecting and keeping them out of shock are the most important things. I swear by baby parrot formula for feeding any bird that is ailing because they always stop eating and drinking when they feel cruddy. It tastes good, can be mixed with water to also hydrate, and is nutritionally dense, so they get a bang for their bite.

Keep her calm and in a low light (but not dark during the day) space, cool and not stressed. Give her a few days without expecting much, and try to keep her from infection.

 

[RSFChicks]

Im glad I just read your post because the same thing happened to one of my silkie hens a few years ago. She was attacked by a hawk and blood was running down her face above her eye and she went into shock and then lost control of her neck, according to the Vet this happens with chickens when they are severely traumatized or really sick. She had no control of her neck and it just flopped to the side and she scuffled along sometimes doing complete somersalts. I put her on liquid antibiotics with an eye dropper and made a mash of her food and hand fed her for two weeks until she gained some control of her neck and was able to eat and drink herself. Just so you know as well they sometimes relapse with the neck thing, it can get better and then suddenly get worse again but if you stick with it I think ahe will get control of her neck again. Its a mesy process and takes a lot of patience and time but everytime I go out to the coop Rosie coos to me and I know shes thankful I saved her life. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your girl!!!

 

[Daisy668]

It sounds like he happy so he can't be in too much pain. Try feeding him something he likes and mush it up and feed it to him down a syringe and make sure he's having enough water. He may have lost his sight in both eyes. Is there any signs of attack on his other eye? His neck might be fine in time and as he trying to walk he might have hurt the muscles in his neck and could take along time to recover. You needs to recover mentally aswell. Don't give up on him..
Soo Sorry for you and your chicken.. Keep us updated..
Daisy. xx