Pullet chick attacked by falcon - injured

[OwensChickens]

Our first day in the big run went poorly for one of our little chicks (about 5 weeks old). I was cooking dinner and heard our hens having a fit. I went out and saw the little pullet flying around. As I head over there, I see a small falcon fly over and land on my wood splitter just 10 yards away (wish I had brought my 12 gauge with me).

The pullet was piled up a bit away from the run and I thought she was dead. Picked her up and could feel her breathing. Put her down next to the run as I looked for other birds (all others were fine). After about 10 minutes I came back to her. She was still laying on her side, but opened an eye as we approached. We took her inside and she started standing. She made it through the night. We cannot find any puncture wounds or blood (she has a small mark on her head). She looks out of it though.

Anything we can do? Put her back in the brooder and see how she does?

 

[Sarevan]

A bird of prey sometimes stuns it prey by hitting them if it misses with talons, giving it time to loop around and come back. Can be hit with falcon's chest or legs. She may have been hit and rolled from impact, having her bell rung pretty soundly.

I would give your pullet electrolytes, soft mushy feed just add water to feed, put her in warm area to monitor her. Try to limit the amount of area she has to move around. See if she reacts better to dark for feeling safe than lit area.

I would check her over under feathers for bruising, the points of talons can be like needles and if glancing blow hardly leave mark except for bruising. Watch her for lameness, she could be stiff from being rolled. See if her eyes react equally to light. Observe her for a couple days seperated, if fine put back with flock to see how she does. Could just be a bit shocky from the incident.

Hope she comes to herself quickly!

 

[OwensChickens]

Update. She is still alive and kicking, showing improvement. She is eating and drinking. She is not the happy, social bird that she was. She has some obvious issues, holding her head funny, she bounces her head around with a little tick, and she just seems out of it. Here is a short video from this morning (she is the light blue one.

 

[OwensChickens]

Having issues uploading video. Will try when I get home from work

 

[OwensChickens]

Here is the video. She is the light blue one.