Newest Member of the dreaded hawk attack club

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that you are right that she was so stressed from the hawk that she may have hurt herself. I wasn’t thinking that you would shoot, but I like to remind readers that it is not allowed. I know that you are just worried but wouldn’t do anything illegal. They are very persistent hunters. Hopefully they will move on in a few days.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I didnt get full body pictures of Zeon today like I planned. I did get pictures of his face. He continues to show improvements each day and has been much like his old self today. I can tell that he's even picking up on my nervousness as he just tapped my leg as I swaying back and forth Zeon has always fed off of my energy so I have to be careful or he'll get overly anxious. He's not a bad boy by any means and he's never flogged, so please don't think that. He still seems to be high stepping but I think this is improving. I'll continue to watch that. This is the eye that I thought he lost initially.

This side is where his wattle was ripped but it's really doing its own thing. I know it won't reattach. I've seen a similar injury after a rooster fight and I believe the hanging piece fell off. Not too much swelling on this side.

Head on pic

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He's a handsome boy! I predict he's going to be just fine.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I finally got pictures of Zelda. Her injuries look to be the result of her freak out. The location of these small cuts seem to go hand in hand with running/slamming herself into hardware cloth/welded wire. Thankfully she doesn't seem to be bothered by them. She was eating normally yesterday after this happened and today.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I hate to have so many questions regarding a hawk attack where I should be spending more time just feeling lucky and blessed, but here I am. I'm curious about Zeon's behavior today. He acts like he's feeling better and better by the day and he's certainly getting his typical rooster pep back in his step. He is still being kept inside but today he was able to move about freely in my shop (roosters poop much less than hens, ask me how I know ~I'm really kidding). He seems more agitated today. I'm wondering if this could be him getting stir crazy being kept inside when he is used to free ranging all day everyday or if he could have suffered some damage that could result in a personality change? I know there's only one way to know for sure and that involves him free ranging I'm not ready for that just yet. Tomorrow I plan to let him spend some supervised time outdoors with his brethren and depending on temps and how things go, letting him sleep in his coop tomorrow night. Has anyone ever heard of a rooster having a personality change after an attack like this? He still has some swelling and it's probably going down but it's difficult for me to see a difference in such a short amount of time. Maybe it's just me. Thank you all for your time. I sincerely appreciate all of you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

He's likely just bored and wanting back out to do his rooster thing.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He's likely just bored and wanting back out to do his rooster thing.

This.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hello! It's been a week since Zeon's run in with a hawk. He's looking great, well at least his front half is. Nothing but time and good feed is going to fix his tail, i believe. From what I can see, most of his feathers were completely plucked out instead of broken, so hopefully he'll grow some new manly feathers soon. I don't think he had an annual molt this year. But all of that isn't really concerning me too much. The one thing I am concerned about is that he is still high stepping. What, if anything, can I do for this? Thanks again for the support, well wishes, and guidance. It means the world to me, and of course Zeon and Zelda.

*As for Zelda, her comb is healing. I keep noticing the side of her beak kind of looks like a hang nail. She isn't slowed down by it at all. I'm curious if I should do anything with her beak? I haven't noticed any bleeding since right after it happened but initially the blood drying helped to keep that tiny shaved piece of beak laid down. A place so small shouldn't need treatment should it? She's an amazing little hen and I know she'd let me do whatever I needed to do, but I'd rather not unless it's necessary. Thanks again

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What looks like a hang nail?
A scuff on the beak, I would not mess with.

Can you get a video of the high stepping? Could it be that he's on a floor instead of ground outside? If he's outside does he still high step?

 

[kerbotx]

Regarding the feather loss - I had a hawk attack on 1-28, so just over 2 weeks ago, and Linda's pin feathers on her back are coming in quite nicely, at least 1 weeks' worth of growth. Perhaps that could account for his temperament change, new feathers coming in?