HEN ATTACKED BY HAWK (graphic images)

[Sunny the Chicken]

This is her vent- I'm considering cutting off the feathers around her vent because it's really time consuming (30+ minutes) to have to clean all the feathers every day and I can't get them 100% clean anyways. I tried to get the poop stuck on her vent off, but when I got off a chunk there was a little bit of red and I was afraid that it was blood so I stopped touching it. I can probably try to soak it and see if I can get it off tomorrow but it's super late right now where I am. She IS able to poop and she eats.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Trimming the feathers may help keep her cleaner.
Keep the crusty areas and the vent moist with your ointment. It doesn't look too bad, give it some time and that should eventually loosen and come off.

 

[Sunny the Chicken]

Trimming the feathers may help keep her cleaner.
Keep the crusty areas and the vent moist with your ointment. It doesn't look too bad, give it some time and that should eventually loosen and come off.

Tysm! Btw, does anyone know any foolproof ways to keep hawks away? I read that you can use CDs instead of flashy/bird tape so I hung one up but it doesn't seem to be doing much, also there are a couple hours each day where it's in the shade. I want to get the other hens out of the run.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't know of a foolproof way to keep Hawks away.
Ime, they are not easily deterred and pretty brave when on the hunt.

 

[alinas2010]

Tysm! Btw, does anyone know any foolproof ways to keep hawks away? I read that you can use CDs instead of flashy/bird tape so I hung one up but it doesn't seem to be doing much, also there are a couple hours each day where it's in the shade. I want to get the other hens out of the run.

I read a scarecrow that gets moved and switched positions occasionally will help. Having a lot of low bushes to hide under and tall weeds they can forage in... Supposedly having black chickens in your flock can deter hawks, idk if that’s true or effective, but I read it here somewhere.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I read a scarecrow that gets moved and switched positions occasionally will help. Having a lot of low bushes to hide under and tall weeds they can forage in... Supposedly having black chickens in your flock can deter hawks, idk if that’s true or effective, but I read it here somewhere.

They might like a scarecrow to perch on.
If a human moving about in the yard with the chickens doesn't deter a determined Hawk, I don't see how a stationary Scarecrow would be of benefit.
Hawks can see Black Chickens just as well as any other color. Tall weeds and bushes can make good cover, but Hawks sit in trees and observe their prey....for days, every day (study movements, times, habits).
They can land and just walk right under that bush, under that building/hiding place or wherever and attack (Yes, Hawks can walk). They are also very good at just taking a dive and driving their prey right into the ground with pinpoint accuracy.
When Hawk activity is high, the only assurance of deterring an attack is to keep birds penned in a secured area that a Hawk (or predator) can't get into. Anytime chickens are loose and roaming, there's a risk that a predator will take them or attack. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
Of course, this is only my personal firsthand experience when dealing with Hawks and other predators, so it's possible someone may offer something more positive.

 

[APK]

When my chicken was attacked by a fellow chicken, the solution that worked for me was to cut away the feathers in the way and then salve on some polysporin and let it air dry. Isolate the chicken and within a week or so she will be fine. No need to use a bandaid, no alcohol was used, but there is a product called Dettol which can be diluted in water and will turn milky white. I couldn't find my bottle at the time, so used just polysporin and it was fine.

 

[alinas2010]

They might like a scarecrow to perch on.
If a human moving about in the yard with the chickens doesn't deter a determined Hawk, I don't see how a stationary Scarecrow would be of benefit.
Hawks can see Black Chickens just as well as any other color. Tall weeds and bushes can make good cover, but Hawks sit in trees and observe their prey....for days, every day (study movements, times, habits).
They can land and just walk right under that bush, under that building/hiding place or wherever and attack (Yes, Hawks can walk). They are also very good at just taking a dive and driving their prey right into the ground with pinpoint accuracy.
When Hawk activity is high, the only assurance of deterring an attack is to keep birds penned in a secured area that a Hawk (or predator) can't get into. Anytime chickens are loose and roaming, there's a risk that a predator will take them or attack. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
Of course, this is only my personal firsthand experience when dealing with Hawks and other predators, so it's possible someone may offer something more positive.

Fortunately we haven’t had to deal with hawks up close and personal yet. Your experience is valid and insightful, great advice. The theory with black chickens is that they mistake them for crows, a natural enemy of a hawk, supposedly. Not sure on the accuracy of that, though. Agreed, the only way to deter for sure is keeping them locked up safe!

 

[alinas2010]

They might like a scarecrow to perch on.
If a human moving about in the yard with the chickens doesn't deter a determined Hawk, I don't see how a stationary Scarecrow would be of benefit.
Hawks can see Black Chickens just as well as any other color. Tall weeds and bushes can make good cover, but Hawks sit in trees and observe their prey....for days, every day (study movements, times, habits).
They can land and just walk right under that bush, under that building/hiding place or wherever and attack (Yes, Hawks can walk). They are also very good at just taking a dive and driving their prey right into the ground with pinpoint accuracy.
When Hawk activity is high, the only assurance of deterring an attack is to keep birds penned in a secured area that a Hawk (or predator) can't get into. Anytime chickens are loose and roaming, there's a risk that a predator will take them or attack. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
Of course, this is only my personal firsthand experience when dealing with Hawks and other predators, so it's possible someone may offer something more positive.

Wait, let me rephrase; your advice, experience and insight is one of the best on this site

 

[Aunt Angus]

I made a fenced area for my flock and covered it with aviary netting. We have 2 Coopers hawks and a Red Tailed hawk in our woods. And owls. We've not yet suffered an attack and hopefully never will.