Newest Member of the dreaded hawk attack club

[BigBlueHen53]

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?

Wonder if that could also account for the high stepping? If the pin feathers are poking/ irritating the insides of his thighs?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

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?

Where her beak and face hit the hardware cloth/welded wire because the hawk was standing beside her coop. She sliced a small part of her beak and face. I'll get pictures of that too.

To be completely honest, I didn't even watch for it outside. I was keeping a close eye on everyone in hopes that he doesn't get picked on. He's near the bottom of the roosters pecking order, with only one bird under him (that bird has spent time with Zeon daily while he recovered). I will watch for this tomorrow and get a video if he's still doing the high stepping. Thank you

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Wonder if that could also account for the high stepping? If the pin feathers are poking/ irritating the insides of his thighs?

I haven't thought about that, but I'll have to take a look. He's so nervous acting now, so I'll have to take a look once I have another set of hands to help. Thank you

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?

I'm so happy Linda is recovering That's interesting. Thank you for sharing. I haven't thought about that but I could certainly see this adding to the problem.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi! I wanted to update on Zeon, but can you believe that hawk was back again last night, after my Silkie hen and Dutch Bantam hen!?!?!? Luckily I still haven't resumed free ranging since h5n1 has been confirmed numerous times on my states coast, wild waterfowl visit my pond daily (and the wild Canada Geese will walk & poop all around my property looking for me to beg for feed), and so far my roosters are doing better than expected. I noticed those striped tail feathers overhead yesterday morning as it flew a little lower to take a look and I suspect it noticed me outside and quickly pulled up and away. I'm not silly enough to think it's afraid of me but it probably looks at me as an annoyance. This type, or any hawk could easily grab most any of my bantam birds and carry them off, right? Even if they couldn't carry them away, it seems like even a smaller hawk such as this could kill a large rooster if it was desperate enough. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems the hawk is at a huge advantage even when up against a good sized rooster and could easily tire a chicken enough to eventually take it over. My neighbor lost 2 hen months ago to a hawk. I need to call her and ask if she's had any more trouble. Her run is uncovered and around a large tree.
Zeon finally has pin feathers slowly but surely coming in. He still high steps occasionally but it seems to continue to improve. I'm hoping this will go away completely with time. Zelda is healing up quickly. My Silkie hen and Dutch Bantam hen have small cuts to their combs where I suspect they ran into the hardware cloth as they were terrified and didn't think about going into the coop, like Zelda did. I've tried to think about this from a chickens perspective and finding yourself face to face with one of your biggest nightmares probably does zap any normal thinking skills, like going into the coop. So we will remain on high alert. Thank you all again for all of your time and help with this situation. I appreciate y'all so much

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Zeon is still looking a little bit ragged but his feathers are starting to grow back in. He lost a lot of hackle and back feathers and all but 1 tail feather. This is the eye that was completely hidden under blood. He is a very lucky rooster. Thank you all for helping me care for him in his time of need I'm still watching for the occasional high stepping but I'm hopeful that will go away with a little more time.

*after watching videos and reading other threads, I felt like it might be helpful to add that he doesn't walk Hitler style. It's more like his leg brings his foot way up under him on one side, while still walking somewhat normal. This has improved but I'm still keeping an eye on it to make sure it eventually goes back to normal all the time.

Thanks again for all of the help
This is a picture I just took this morning. I can't believe he has kept that one tail feather, especially while hanging out with other roosters. Not sure why his legs look so light colored in this picture. They're actually black in real life

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He is a handsome fella, glad you were able to save him!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hello again! That hawk has continued to harass my birds on multiple occasions. They're still locked up. Poor Zelda just freaks out when the hawk is here and her beak has taken a beating running into welded wire/hardware cloth. Last week, the day after the last visit from the hawk, I noticed Zelda had a wounded looking place in the corner of her mouth. About 2 days later I started to notice swelling in this area. It's still swollen. There are no other signs of illness with her or any other birds. I considered canker and have metronidazole on hand if necessary but I haven't found any other evidence of this and no odor. I also considered IBV, but there are no other signs that point to this whatsoever. As you can see Zelda has very small comb and wattles, so it's almost impossible to hold her while opening her beak and taking a picture. My daughter helped me last night and after a lot of fighting, I was able to get a quick glimpse in her mouth. I don't see any plaques anywhere. I'll try to get pictures again tonight. If anyone has any tips for getting their mouths open and held open long enough for a picture, please feel free to share. You can see the area right in the corner of her mouth where it looks like she rammed into the welded wire with her mouth open (probably screaming). The top of her beak is also scuffed up. Again, I thank you for your time.

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous @BigBlueHen53
Anyone else I didn't tag is also more than welcome to share their input with me. I appreciate it so much

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Poor baby! Can you cover her area with a tarp or something so she can't see the hawk? Seems like it's really stressing her. Other than that, I can't directly address her injuries or how to treat her. The others you've tagged will be the authorities on those questions. Good luck with her.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh, once you do get her mouth open, put your finger in right at the jaw joint, holding your hand around the back of the head if that makes sense. One of the others may be able to explain it better. Helps if you have her wrapped snugly in a towel.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Poor baby! Can you cover her area with a tarp or something so she can't see the hawk? Seems like it's really stressing her. Other than that, I can't directly address her injuries or how to treat her. The others you've tagged will be the authorities on those questions. Good luck with her.

That's a really good idea! I'll pick up a tarp in the morning. I believe I'll only need to cover one side since the top is already covered. I feel like the hawk would feel too trapped in if it went on the other side. I'll try it. Thank you so much