Urgent Need

[janicetroyer]

I would appreciate any thoughts. A hawk got to one of my Leghornes. My husband got it off but it looks like her eye was injured. He left her alone to see if she'd come around but she seemed to get worse. Not eating or drinking. Has lost weight. Not laying. Don't want her to suffer so if she's still the same tomorrow, I fear we'll need to put her out of her suffering. But hate to do it if there's any remedy I should first try.

 

[Eggcessive]

How long ago did this happen? How old is she? Do you have any pictures of her and her eye? What have you been treating her with? Can you try to get her drinking some electrolyte water or gatorade? Internal injuries sometimes occur with hawk attacks. Is she passing any droppings? I will check back in the morning, but others may offer help.

 

[janicetroyer]

It happened a few days ago. My husband kept it from me thinking I'd be too upset. One eye is infected. The other looks good but she acts like she's totally blind. I brought her inside for a day but she wouldn't eat or drink. I put some water on my fingers and she took some but then turned away. I thought she might do better following the other chickens and in her own environment. She's walking around but I haven't seen her eat or drink yet. I don't think it hurt her internally. The one eye opened some at one point but now is closed.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Adding electrolytes to the water would help with the shock she is in. And making a mash with her food.
I would bring her back into the house to keep an eye on her. Is she pooping normal?

 

[janicetroyer]

No, she's not pooping. She's not eating or drinking as far as I can see. and has lost weight.

 

[ChicNmom]

I have a hen that lost an eye to a hawk. She was a little battered but pulled through OK.
If you have some plain saline solution you can rinse the eye. Do you have any ointment you can out on it?

Try putting the tip of her beak in some sugar water to get her to drink. I've also had success putting a sliver of a grape or some scrambled eggs into their beaks when they don't want to eat. I would also agree it would be good to bring her in. She may try to keep up appearances that all is well around the rest of the flock.

Your husband cost you valuable time in trying to help her by not telling you even though his intentions were good.. I hope she pulls through.

 

[janicetroyer]

Adding electrolytes to the water would help with the shock she is in. And making a mash with her food.
I would bring her back into the house to keep an eye on her. Is she pooping normal?

Thank you. I"m passing onto my husband. It's cold here in NJ so I asked him to bring her in for the night. It will be a good time to try. He's ready to put her out of her misery.

 

[janicetroyer]

I have a hen that lost an eye to a hawk. She was a little battered but pulled through OK.
If you have some plain saline solution you can rinse the eye. Do you have any ointment you can out on it?

Try putting the tip of her beak in some sugar water to get her to drink. I've also had success putting a sliver of a grape or some scrambled eggs into their beaks when they don't want to eat. I would also agree it would be good to bring her in. She may try to keep up appearances that all is well around the rest of the flock.

Your husband cost you valuable time in trying to help her by not telling you even though his intentions were good.. I hope she pulls through.

Thank you. I"m passing onto my husband. It's cold here in NJ so I asked him to bring her in for the night. It will be a good time to try. He's ready to put her out of her misery.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would hold a small cup or scoop of sugar water up to her beak to drink. When there is an eye injury and they cannot see well, they may need you to hold the water and food right up to the beak. I use a small cereal bowl and put watery chicken feed, scrambled egg, bits of tuna or canned cat food once they have been drinking enough water. Clean the eye with warm water or saline, and apply antibiotic ointment twice a day. Pictures would really help.

 

[janicetroyer]

I would hold a small cup or scoop of sugar water up to her beak to drink. When there is an eye injury and they cannot see well, they may need you to hold the water and food right up to the beak. I use a small cereal bowl and put watery chicken feed, scrambled egg, bits of tuna or canned cat food once they have been drinking enough water. Clean the eye with warm water or saline, and apply antibiotic ointment twice a day. Pictures would really help.