Newest Member of the dreaded hawk attack club

[HeatherKellyB]

I'm sorry that I am a bit shaken up and my brain doesn't work as well anytime I'm a mess like this. As the thread title states my rooster was attacked by a hawk. He's a Svarthöna, so a smallish rooster. He screamed whenever I picked him up. I didn't realize that he had been attacked as I just noticed the hawk fly off as I started walking towards the area. I thought it was strange and even took a couple of pictures because I felt uneasy, as my daughter went to check for all of the boys. Whenever I heard her call Zeon multiple times, I decided to just go and check the corner that this hawk had just flown away from and discovered Zeon sitting there. I grabbed him and he screamed and I took him inside. He is missing his tail feathers, except for one or two. I've checked him over and have found that he has an injury to his eyelid, comb, and wattles. I checked his back for punctures and he has a scrape down his back from the talons, but it's not past the top layers of skin, it's like a scuff I guess. He is already eating, as I wanted him to drink first, but my daughter was trying to help. He's crowing some too. I'm going to put some neosporin or honey in his eye, and neosporin on his comb and wattles. I know he is going to be sore after this, so I'm wondering about the meds I have on hand and their dosages. He is 18 months old and he weighs 3.5lbs. These meds were given to my duck by an Avian vet and I went a different treatment route with her so I have these left over. Please let me know if they're OK, when I should give them and dosage.
Tramadol 50mg tab
Meloxicam 7.5mg tab

Thank you so much for your help.

* Here's a picture of the jerk. Yes I know they need to eat too but that doesn't change my mind about them in the tiniest bit.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

So Zeon is standing and walking around in the crate I've got him in and he talks whenever I walk in, like he normally does. I am concerned with the swelling on his head. I thought his eye was gone, but it's there, under the blood. I know there's a chance he could still pass from this but I am going to do whatever I can for him. He was obviously in shock whenever I found him but he came around within about 10 minutes. Oh my poor boy. Once again, it's always the ones we like most. He just crowed at me whenever I typed that

Edited to add: The boys outside (locked up) are crowing back at him

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

Even though you believe he's recovered from shock, you should treat him for it for the next 24-48 hours. Give him sugar water in place of regular water, one cup water with one teaspoon sugar dissolved in it.

Wash his wounds well, finishing with saline flushing. Look over his entire body for any puncture wounds. If you see any, he will require an oral antibiotic.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about the hawk attack. We have red tails here and they have killed at least one of my chickens in the past. Your rooster is very lucky to have survived. Hopefully, he didn’t have any internal injuries. He sounds like he could survive the injuries so far, and hopefully his eye is not injured too badly. Being able to walk around and now crowing sounds very good. The meloxicam can be used if you can divide the tablet into small doses. If he seems okay, it may not be needed. I probably would not use the Tramadol. I would try electrolytes or something like Poultry NutriDrench given 1 ml per every 3 pounds daily for a few days. Chlorhexidene 2% is good for wound cleaning, or you could use Vetericyn. Terramycin eye ointment would be good for his eye, and I have used Triple Antibiotic Ointment in a pinch until I found some.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Should I offer food or just sugar water for the next 24/48 hours? Hold off on pain and anti inflammatory meds? He has a tear on his wattle and several little wounds on his comb. He also has a wound on his eyelid.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Sorry about the hawk attack. We have red tails here and they have killed at least one of my chickens in the past. Your rooster is very lucky to have survived. Hopefully, he didn’t have any internal injuries. He sounds like he could survive the injuries so far, and hopefully his eye is not injured too badly. Being able to walk around and now crowing sounds very good. The meloxicam can be used if you can divide the tablet into small doses. If he seems okay, it may not be needed. I probably would not use the Tramadol. I would try electrolytes or something like Poultry NutriDrench given 1 ml per every 3 pounds daily for a few days. Chlorhexidene 2% is good for wound cleaning, or you could use Vetericyn. Terramycin eye ointment would be good for his eye, and I have used Triple Antibiotic Ointment in a pinch until I found some.

I have nutridrench, so I'll start that tonight. I also have diluted chlorhexidine that I'll use on his wattles. I'm guessing I should use only saline in and around his eyes, on his comb. I believe my terramycin is expired by a few years, so I'll use neosporin until I can get a new tube.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you both for your replies and your time Zeon and I really appreciate it

 

[Eggcessive]

Fluids are most important, but if he seems hungry I would try some food. Check his crop to make sure it empties overnight. I would go ahead and use the Terramycin. It should be fine.

 

[azygous]

Of course, offer him food. The sugar water is necessary to elevate his glucose to keep his bodily functions stable. The food will help.