Large neck open wound with wheezing from hawk attack

[FamilyofThree]

Christina, a Rhode Island Red, got attacked by a very hungry hawk today. We immediately isolated her and have safety gotten the rest of the flock back into the coop. Her wound has been rinsed with warm water and we are drying her now. There are no local vets who will see chickens. What else can we do? I am afraid of restricting her breathing more with a bandage because of her wheezing, but should we still bandage and if so how for this particular wound? She has not been trying to pick at it at all.

Edited to add: She has had one poop that was dark and normal looking, seems rather active for being injured and in a dark quiet bathroom, and has had one flapping attempt to escape the tub. We will be placing her in a dog crate in the garage soon, but wanted to get her dry and warm first.

 

[Anon112]

Is there any bubbling at the wound to imply that there is a puncture all the way through to her throat, or is the wheezing just from her mouth?

I would not bandage, but do a saline rinse and apply a triple antibiotic (not with painkiller). If any feathers got pushed into the wound, you'll want to gently pull them away so they don't get "sealed" inside as the wound starts to heal.

Offer food and water, obviously. You might also consider searching up threads here about chickens in shock. Keeping her warm (not overly warm, just sheltered and not out in the cold) is a good idea.

 

[Eggcessive]

Saline which can be made with 1/2 tsp of salt in a cup of warm water is better to rinse the wound with and less stinging. The triple antibiotic ointment should be kept on the wound so that it does not dry out until she is healing. I would keep the others safe in their run until the problem with the hawk is over. How old is she?

 

[FamilyofThree]

Thank you both so much! The wheezing appears to be from the mouth. We didn't discern any bubbling. She is older, 3 years, but our chickens are primarily our son's pets, so have not been culled as they age. We have followed your suggestions.