My Cuckoo Maran was attacked by a hawk - any advice greatly appreciated

[Collis]

Hello -

My lovely and sweet maran was attacked by a hawk three days ago. She sustained wounds on the back of her head and down the back of her neck. Currently, she is being housed in dog crate away from the rest of the flock. Her wounds seem to be responding to treatment and she has been eating. Her droppings are firm and appear consistent. Yesterday, I pulled her out of the crate to administer some gentle stretching. I noticed that her toes are completely turned/curled inward and she does not bear any weight on her feet. She is unable to walk on them.:-( Truly, I am baffled and I want to address this issue along with the others, but I am not certain what I am facing. I have been in contact with the county extension poultry specialist as well as helpful staff at the local feed supply store and they all helped me to select medications to address wound care and bacterial infections. The "toes curling in" is something that I just noticed. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be greatly appreciative as I am still fairly new to the chicken business and this is my first experience with a predator attack. Thank you!

 

[chickensnewtome]

Hello fellow Arkansan! What feed is your chicken on? Could be a protein deficiency you can make splints for the toes.

 

[Collis]

Hello to you as well and thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. She is on a standard layer pellet from the feed store; however, I am willing to try a different feed if that is the issue. I was worried that, perhaps, while trying to make brunch of my bird that the hawk damaged some nerves or tendons that was causing her toes to curl inward. If it is a diet issue, I can certainly address that. Thanks.

 

[chickensnewtome]

Put her on a higher protein game feed such as quail feed, and then make a splint for her feet. Do you have pictures of her? if you had pictures of her feet then we might get a better idea of the issue. It is fairly easy to straighten and set toes tho.

 

[Collis]

I will get some game feed today and I can also make a splint. Pictures are coming to ease with diagnosis. Thanks.

 

[Collis]

She is alert and she will eat and drink thankfully because she certainly took quite a blow on the back of her head and neck. She doesnt unfurl her toes or bear any weight on either of them. :-( I will increase her protein by purchasing some gamebird feed and I can make splints as well. See if you think I am missing something.......

 

[chickensnewtome]

I do for sure think it is a protein deficiency. Definitely increase the protein, I am not sure if you are far enough north but Marshall feed store has it where you can buy a pound at a time, most places make you buy the whole fifty lb bag. If not marshall then maybe Conway will have it by the pound. And make them little splints. Good luck keep me updated.

 

[Collis]

I certainly will keep you posted and I appreciate your input very much. I think Atwoods has the game feed in smaller bags and it is within fifteen minutes of my house. My bunch is certainly rooting for her to overcome this! Thanks again, Chickensnewtome!

 

[chickensnewtome]

NP good luck!

 

[ten chicks]

She is alert and she will eat and drink thankfully because she certainly took quite a blow on the back of her head and neck. She doesnt unfurl her toes or bear any weight on either of them. :-( I will increase her protein by purchasing some gamebird feed and I can make splints as well. See if you think I am missing something.......

How bad where the wounds on her body? This could be muscle damage or reaction to pain. Check both her legs again,feel up and down,try soaking her legs in an epsom salt soak for 15-20 minutes this is great for sprains/sore muscles. If you place your hand between toes,will she flex feet? I do not believe it is a protein deficiency as she was fine before attack or was she? Is she eating/drinking properly. Do you have a picture of wounds?