Chicken attacked by Osprey severely injured

[Bossmode]

Hi folks,

I got a seriously injured chicken that has been attacked and pinned down by an Osprey.
Luckly the wife came back in time from her dog walk and was able to save it as she heard the chicken screaming, and was able to scare the predatory bird away.

She took the chicken inside immediately, stopped the bleeding and gave it antibiotics, but the wound on her back is very deep, muscle can be seen!
Don't think it can be stitched as the Osprey ate away alot of her skin and left a nasty wound.
She is all bandaged up right now, sleeping, recovering.

Going to take pictures once we replace the wrapping, also thinking of filling the wound with triple antibiotics ointment.

What can I do, I feel very bad for the poor little girl, not sure if a wound that size will be able to heal on it's own... any suggestions?

 

[Snowwing]

Pictures? It all depends on how big the wound is. One of my chickens was bitten by a German Pointer (Dog) and had a hole on her back twice the size of a nickel, she recovered as if nothing happened.

 

[Bossmode]

I will get pictures asap... have only seen the wound partially, will take pics once we change bandage. From what i understand it sounds like it is the size or two toonies... will find out more shortly.

 

[Bossmode]

Here pictures

 

[Snowwing]

Yikes, that is a very big wound, how is her behavior? Is she lethargic? The bleeding seems under control. She's very lucky for the Osprey to have not gotten to her spine. If you can't get her to a vet, it's best to just try to make sure the wound does not get infected.

 

[Snowwing]

Chickens are very hardy and can usually survive medium-severity wounds, but her wound is leaning towards the worse side. I would just keep an eye on how she acts and make sure she can still eat and drink.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi folks,

I got a seriously injured chicken that has been attacked and pinned down by an Osprey.
Luckly the wife came back in time from her dog walk and was able to save it as she heard the chicken screaming, and was able to scare the predatory bird away.

She took the chicken inside immediately, stopped the bleeding and gave it antibiotics, but the wound on her back is very deep, muscle can be seen!
Don't think it can be stitched as the Osprey ate away alot of her skin and left a nasty wound.
She is all bandaged up right now, sleeping, recovering.

Going to take pictures once we replace the wrapping, also thinking of filling the wound with triple antibiotics ointment.

What can I do, I feel very bad for the poor little girl, not sure if a wound that size will be able to heal on it's own... any suggestions?

Flush/clean the wound with an antiseptic like Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), trim away any feathers that may stick in the wound and apply triple antibiotic ointment.

You mention your wife gave her antibiotics - what did she give and the dose?

Keep the wound moist with your ointment and clean as needed with the Hibiclens.
If she's alert, that's pretty good. I would work on hydration first - electrolytes or vitamins for the first 12 hours. A little wet feed if she's drinking well on her own.

Keep us posted.

 

[Snowwing]

"
Close call, resilient birds chickens are!

Sometimes the pain hasn't set in yet but she may become more stiff as adrenaline subsides.

As long as active bleeding has ceased and no flesh is hanging.. it's just a matter of keeping her hydrated and keeping infection at bay.

Do not use the peroxide again once the clean up has been completed because it damages the fresh tissue as well.

If you have space for that cage in view of her flock mates at least during the day time, would be more ideal for reintegration if she need to be indoors for night temps.

I had a duck get fully scalped by a raccoon.. and also fully recover with my only intervention being keeping the pool water clean. Also has a chick with a broody get scalped.. and stuck closer to it's mum and fully recovered also. The body does a pretty good job fighting infection on it's own when given a chance and the correct nutrients.

Once you see she is still actively drinking like tomorrow, switch to fresh water.

A scrambled egg can be a palatable, easy to digest, nutritious BOOST on occasions like THIS.. they are 34% protein and 64% fat but loaded with nutrients when used as a TREAT. Nothing is good in excess and NO supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.

Sometimes simply wetting the chicken feed into a mash can make it more interesting. It also aids digestion and increases fluid intake easily.

I've had boys give each other swollen and black eyes.. they usually go down over the next day or so. But eye injuries could sometimes use an antibiotic ointment.. might even be sold at Wally.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-terramycin-opthalmic-ointment-1-8-oz

There are several (not all) Rooster Booster brand product and poultry nutri drench that could offer a GOOD boost if you had access to them.

Otherwise if you already have on hand.. a human B complex or infant vitamins with NO iron.. can help in a pinch.

Sounds like she will do good and recover fine! Just be on the look out for some delayed shock!

" I found this info on another article and it gives some good info, maybe it will help?

 

[Snowwing]

Flush/clean the wound with an antiseptic like Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), trim away any feathers that may stick in the wound and apply triple antibiotic ointment.

You mention your wife gave her antibiotics - what did she give and the dose?

Keep the wound moist with your ointment and clean as needed with the Hibiclens.
If she's alert, that's pretty good. I would work on hydration first - electrolytes or vitamins for the first 12 hours. A little wet feed if she's drinking well on her own.

Keep us posted.

worded this better than I ever could c:

 

[Bossmode]

Thanks for the answers, yes she has been sleeping most of the time since rescued. Tried to peck us when we changed wrapping, so still active. One of her eyes is permanently shut also, but eye apparently still exists.

Unsure of which antibiotics, some that were given to us from vet for our dog... again not sure of dosage.
She is getting b-complex water with a syringe to the side of her beak, not directly into her mouth as that could result in filling her lungs... boiled some Marijuana for pain releaf... lol i know, but all i have on hand right now.

Will try to get her to the vet tomorrow, have her looked at, hopefully fixed up! We did clean the wound and pack it with a full tube of 2 antibiotics ointment (couldn't find 3 anti ointment at local store as we live out of town), she seems to be doing ok considering the circumstances. Hopefully she will make the night!