How to hold an injured chick?

[Ohaus82]

Took my 4 week old Americaunas outside this weekend while I was working in the garden. The coop hasnt arrived yet, so I built a run out of chicken wire and a table. I went to the front yard to do some watering and came back to find a hawk laying in the grass attacking the chicks through the chicken wire. 2 of the 5 were injured. I have cleaned the wounds and dressed them with ointment, and they seem to be doing well. They are definitely in some pain, but they are eating and drinking like normal and resting a lot. I would take them into the vet, but because they are eating, drinking and moving like normal, I think the stress of going to the vet might be worse than just letting them heal. Any disagreement there? Anyway, naturally they hate it when I clean the wounds, but I have found when I hold them on their backs it calms them a bit. Is that okay? Their eyes close, so I just want to make sure that Im not cutting off circulation or anything.
Thanks so much! As predicted, I am totally addicted to this site!

 

[abanjaf]

Sorry that happened to your babies! I, too, have a problem with hawks around here. My roos are vigilant, but I always worry that a hawk may swoop down on one on the other side of the yard unprotected by the roos. I am sure that as long as you are gentle, that whatever position works best for you to clean them is fine