Help my chicken was attacked (photos attached)

[Vickischics]

Not wanting to sound heartless or mean but they were free chickens and I don’t for see my husband going along with the idea of spending money at a vet for a chicken that we got for free that has maybe laid a half a dozen eggs since we’ve gotten her

That's ok, I fully understand. Just keep her inside in a warm dark place. If you have any Triple antibiotics with out pain reliever in it. literally squirt the entire tube into her body cavity. Sometimes this will seal off the puncture. In the human field, we use Vaseline to seal it off. But, I think the Triple antibiotic will work. Keep her in a dark, warm place and hold your girl. Hopefully one of the Experts that were summons will join in.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

These diagrams may help the OP understand where the puffs of air are coming from.
https://heiferinyourtank.typepad.co...08/the-bare-bones-of-chicken-respiration.html

 

[Weeg]

Can you take a picture of her whole back including where the wound is so we can see where it is compared to her whole body? I think that will answer a lot of questions here.

 

[casportpony]

Can you carefully, without tearing the skin, pluck all the feathers one inch back from the edge of the wound (this is called creating a margin, and it's something that should be done). When plucking, do one feather at a time and pluck in the direction the feathers are growing. If the skin is too delicate in an area, trim that feather instead.

Once you have the area plucked, can you take new pictures?

Edited to fix autocorrect errors.

 

[casportpony]

The whole weekend. If we leave her out I’m worried this will happen again or the hawk will com back

Sorry, my bad, I meant "shouldn't" be left out. She needs to be in a warm, quite room or cage away from flies and other birds

 

[Vickischics]

Checking in.
It is very important to flush the wound to get as much of the bacteria out as possible. Then cut the feathers OFF so you can clearly see the wound and take pictures of the wound. We need this in order to assess the depth and damage. Keep her warm and if need be wrap her in a clean dry towel. I am not sure of the supplies you have on hand but use the chlorahexadine if you have it. DO NOT use Peroxide or anything with a numbing agent in it.

 

[Vickischics]

@aart

 

[Weeg]

Make sure she is separated, in your house, and make sure flies don't lay eggs in the wound. Keep her in a stress free environment, where it is warm. It is VERY important she is inside, away from flies, where ever there are flies eggs, there are maggots.

 

[Weeg]

I am worried that the wound opens into the lung (puffs of air coming out with breathing) so I would worry about squirting water as water+lung=bad.

Yes, your idea with the damp paper towel was better. Use @black_cat's advice!

 

[Weeg]

This is not looking good, is vet care an option? If not, then the best thing you can do for her may just be to put her down. There are worse things then death.