INJURED BIRD, stable but out of ideas **Pictures included, not pretty**

[DarcyJ518]

Hi all,

A week ago tomorrow (10/31) I witness a large bird of prey attack my favorite hen. I got to her before she died, and am working on getting her to heal... but am open to new ideas re: wound care, and tips, tricks, products you love. I'm currently irrigating with sterile water, followed by chlorhexidine, rinse with sterile water and am on day 4 of a topical antibiotic (Pirsue - used in cows for mastitis but has been working great).

REALLY struggling with getting calories/protein into her. She'll take some water w electrolytes when offered, and I'm syringing a vitamin supplement. But she's not really eating, a few bites of apple, a couple meal worms... and she's dropping weight to worrisome level. I'm used to dogs, so she has options... scrambled raw egg, apple, meal worms, her grain, scratch grain... anything I think she'll eat. Any ideas would be very much appreciated! Thank you
.

 

[ashlierami]

Hi all,

A week ago tomorrow (10/31) I witness a large bird of prey attack my favorite hen. I got to her before she died, and am working on getting her to heal... but am open to new ideas re: wound care, and tips, tricks, products you love. I'm currently irrigating with sterile water, followed by chlorhexidine, rinse with sterile water and am on day 4 of a topical antibiotic (Pirsue - used in cows for mastitis but has been working great).

REALLY struggling with getting calories/protein into her. She'll take some water w electrolytes when offered, and I'm syringing a vitamin supplement. But she's not really eating, a few bites of apple, a couple meal worms... and she's dropping weight to worrisome level. I'm used to dogs, so she has options... scrambled raw egg, apple, meal worms, her grain, scratch grain... anything I think she'll eat. Any ideas would be very much appreciated! Thank you
.View attachment 1948158 View attachment 1948159

I am so sorry your girl is going thru this as well as you! You seem to be doing the best for her. Poultry wound spray works wonders for me. It's food grade and Usuallly heals mine up within 7 to 10 days. I have used it for dog attacks, Spur wounds on hens, etc. Nutri drench can give her some added nutrients and energy as well as poly vi Sol for infants. I currently have a rooster that's lame so i give him nutri drench Every other day to keep him okay. Does she like mash? I offer mash to sick birds or to those not eating much. They act like it's a treat. Shes probably in shock. After several dog attacks my Injured birds act off for a few weeks. Id keep her warm and dry and just offer her whatever she will take which is what your doing.

 

[That_australian_lad]

what the f#ck happend

 

[ashlierami]

what the f#ck happend

She was attacked by a bird of prey probably an eagle, hawk etc

 

[glassdragonfly]

Poor girl! Your doing everything I would so I don't have any new ideas. Sorry

 

[DarcyJ518]

She's loving her mash! Thank you!!

 

[DarcyJ518]

She was attacked by a bird of prey probably an eagle, hawk etc

I *think* it was a juvenile eagle. It was HUGE, I have no idea how she survived.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things to me too. Keeping it clean and putting antibiotic ointment on it. Veterycin is a good one. Watch for fly strike. Short of that, doing what you are doing and keeping her warm and quiet will probably do the trick. When you are ready to put her back with the flock, and I wouldn't do that very soon, spray the healed wound with Blu-Kote. If her head is left looking red, they will pick on her. I had to keep Blu-Kote on one of my hens for about 9 months until the new molt season. Her feathers wont grow back until then, but at least for mine, they did grow back...mostly.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chicken. How old is she? Is she a bantam? Be sure and keep your others safe safe the eagle or hawk for the next few days or weeks. You are doing well with the chlorhexidene and water for cleaning, and it would also help to coat the wounds with plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic to help prevent infection and to keep them from dring out. These injuries will usually heal and the chicken will recover unless she has internal injuries. Keep her separated from the others and help her eat and drink. Water with electrolytes and vitamins would be good to give, and when she is drinking, offer dry and wet feed, and cooked egg. Here is some reading about how others have survived similar wounds:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/serve-open-head-wound-is-black.1291137/#post-20958591

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/scalped-chicken-still-alive.1091319/#post-16760265

 

[ashlierami]

I *think* it was a juvenile eagle. It was HUGE, I have no idea how she survived.

Sometimes they get lucky. I currently have a 3 year old rooster who's been attacked by a dog 3 times and he's still going strong.