Young rooster got attacked by hawk (trachea injured)

[Liesa]

Hey!
Today I heard our guinea fowls making extremely loud and panicked noise from the chicken place. We have chickens, who walk along with the guineas, and chicks (9 Weeks), who have a different barn and see the chicken through a fence at the moment. As I heard the noise I started running to the chicken place.
To prevent our chickens from getting caught by for example hawks we have nets all over the barns, yet this hawk must've found a hole and came trough. I found him on my favourite little young Rooster, but he flew as he saw me. My little rooster was still breathing, but just so slightly.. His comb was grey. I got him out of the barn and drove to the vet with him. His head was hanging down, he was breathing with an open beak, eyes were closed. The vet said his wings were injured and his trachea. She cleansed the trachea and gave him some painkillers. She also told me to separate him from the other chicks for now, which I did. Where I live its night now, so he moved into our house (in a large cage) with food and water. His comb has become a little more red in color and he has his beak closed now, but still (logically) seems very week.
As you might have noticed, I am very attached to this chick. He has such a kind, brave character and was my first time hatching chickens (without hen). Whenever im at the chickens, he comes to me and wants to sleep in my arms or just cuddly. He means just a lot to me... Im very worried right now and wanted to ask you whether you have had chickens injured by hawks (or other enemies) and whether they survived. Also I would be so glad if you could give me advice on what else I can do. Right now I just try to let him chill and calm down and recover in a quiet area.
This is the first time that I came early enough to find a chicken still living after such an attach. We used to have problems with hawks in the past, but as we started putting very decorative (not) nets over the barns they seemed to let the chickens live in peace. Also we tought the guineas could help preventing such attacks - put unfortunately they were separated from the chicks by a fence.
So: have you experienced such attacks? Maybe you have chickens who survived them? What would you advice me to do? Should I force him to eat and drink or give him some time?
I would be so thankful for your advice! I hope my English is alright, Im not a native speaker so I hope you understand me anyway.

Kind regards,

Liesa

 

[Gallinarium]

I'm sorry about your rooster. I've only had two predator attacks: one with a fox, only the untouched birds survived. Another with the neighbor's dog, but no one was harmed, so I'm not much help. But if your bird was taken to a vet, and seems recovering, he should be fine. Once given a chance, chickens recover quite well. Best wishes.

 

[Shadrach]

Hey!
Today I heard our guinea fowls making extremely loud and panicked noise from the chicken place. We have chickens, who walk along with the guineas, and chicks (9 Weeks), who have a different barn and see the chicken through a fence at the moment. As I heard the noise I started running to the chicken place.
To prevent our chickens from getting caught by for example hawks we have nets all over the barns, yet this hawk must've found a hole and came trough. I found him on my favourite little young Rooster, but he flew as he saw me. My little rooster was still breathing, but just so slightly.. His comb was grey. I got him out of the barn and drove to the vet with him. His head was hanging down, he was breathing with an open beak, eyes were closed. The vet said his wings were injured and his trachea. She cleansed the trachea and gave him some painkillers. She also told me to separate him from the other chicks for now, which I did. Where I live its night now, so he moved into our house (in a large cage) with food and water. His comb has become a little more red in color and he has his beak closed now, but still (logically) seems very week.
As you might have noticed, I am very attached to this chick. He has such a kind, brave character and was my first time hatching chickens (without hen). Whenever im at the chickens, he comes to me and wants to sleep in my arms or just cuddly. He means just a lot to me... Im very worried right now and wanted to ask you whether you have had chickens injured by hawks (or other enemies) and whether they survived. Also I would be so glad if you could give me advice on what else I can do. Right now I just try to let him chill and calm down and recover in a quiet area.
This is the first time that I came early enough to find a chicken still living after such an attach. We used to have problems with hawks in the past, but as we started putting very decorative (not) nets over the barns they seemed to let the chickens live in peace. Also we tought the guineas could help preventing such attacks - put unfortunately they were separated from the chicks by a fence.
So: have you experienced such attacks? Maybe you have chickens who survived them? What would you advice me to do? Should I force him to eat and drink or give him some time?
I would be so thankful for your advice! I hope my English is alright, Im not a native speaker so I hope you understand me anyway.

Kind regards,

Liesa

I deal with a lot of hawk strike injuries here. The first thing that would be a help for anyone who might offer advice is some good clear pictures of the injury.
The next step is to ensure he keeps hydrated. This may necessitate tube feeding (very carefully with his injury) and I've provided a link to a very good article on how to do this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/
You mention you've given him pain killers....
Half a junior aspirin twice a day for no more than four days is what I would recommend if you can't get a product called Metacam.
Keeping the wound clean is very important. Use Chlohexedine for this in preference to anything else. You can buy it at most chemists.
He needs to be kept warm and needs to feel safe.
Without pictures I can't offer any more advice. What I can tell you is I've had chickens recover from some horrifying injuries. It's keeping infection at bay that must be your first priority.

 

[Liesa]

Thank you all for your words and your advice!

Shadrach, thank you for sharing the article, that's very helpful as I have to give him the painkillers the vet gave me tomorrow morning again! I attach a picture of him.
Thanks to the guinea fowls Ive been there pretty early. The silver part under his head is where the hawk attacked. He also got a few injuries on the wings but those are very small and I don't want to bother him to make a picture right now.
The one on the neck worries me the most, the vet said the trachea/windpipe was injured. She put that silver stuff on top for disinfection. Its not looking that "big" though, but when i drove him to the vet he made some whistling noises through the injury. It was bleeding a lot, she obviously cleaned it.

Would you advice me to start today (its midnight at my place) with feeding or would you wait for tomorrow morning? As you can see he is sleeping right now. The eye that you can see in the picture has been closed ever since i found him though.

Thank your so much for your words and your kind advice!

 

[LadyAchee]

Sweet baby! I have only had dog attack that didn't go well with mine. But have seen some pretty severe injuries on here. Animals seem to deal with pain way better than humans and the fact that he's still fighting is definitely a good sign! I hope he heals quickly

 

[Gallinarium]

Beautiful rooster. I would wait for solid foods until tomorrow, unless someone with more experience disagrees.

 

[Shadrach]

Thank you all for your words and your advice!

Shadrach, thank you for sharing the article, that's very helpful as I have to give him the painkillers the vet gave me tomorrow morning again! I attach a picture of him.
Thanks to the guinea fowls Ive been there pretty early. The silver part under his head is where the hawk attacked. He also got a few injuries on the wings but those are very small and I don't want to bother him to make a picture right now.
The one on the neck worries me the most, the vet said the trachea/windpipe was injured. She put that silver stuff on top for disinfection. Its not looking that "big" though, but when i drove him to the vet he made some whistling noises through the injury. It was bleeding a lot, she obviously cleaned it.

Would you advice me to start today (its midnight at my place) with feeding or would you wait for tomorrow morning? As you can see he is sleeping right now. The eye that you can see in the picture has been closed ever since i found him though.

Thank your so much for your words and your kind advice!

What did your vet advise?
It didn't register with me that he had seen a vet.
I would wait until the morning at least. Let him rest.
I would also contact your vet and ask about the wisdom of tube feeding with such an injury.
Chickens suffer badly from stress and shock. If he's still alive tomorrow then I would be thinking about the best way to provide care for the next few days.
I hope he makes it.

 

[Liesa]

He survived the night yet he is very quiet. I gave him another dose of painkillers in the morning. He drank a little and also ate a tiny bit (he does when I hold it near his head and talk to him). He also stretched a little.

He feels pretty hot though and there was a bit of blood in his poop.

 

[hayley3]

I'm sure he

He survived the night yet he is very quiet. I gave him another dose of painkillers in the morning. He drank a little and also ate a tiny bit (he does when I hold it near his head and talk to him). He also stretched a little.

He feels pretty hot though and there was a bit of blood in his poop.

I'm sure he is in shock. You are doing the best thing for him, keeping him quiet. He needs to rest to heal. The blood in the poop is worrisome. Since you've taken him to the vet, I would call and let them know that to get their recommendation but the fact that he's eating and drank a little is a very good sign.

 

[Zoemay]

I had a rooster who got snatched by a fox, his entire leg gone ! His whole left leg! Completely gone a huge hole. I freaked out but no vet was open, near me as I am in the country. I used horse medication on him that was in the shed and I wrapped his entire body in a bandage so he wouldn't try to move at all in case his organs fell out or something! Gross.. the next day he was alive surprisingly, so I kept him wrapped up tight so his skin where his leg was gone was overlapping (bit hopeful it would heal over). I fed him and cuddled him for a month straight everyday until I decided to remove the bandage, his leg hole had closed up with a huge scab in it's place. A month later he was hopping around on one foot with the best balance I've ever seen. I think if he could survive an entire amputation, your little guy can do it too!