Hawk survivor

[Ashez91]

My silkie was attacked by a hawk yesterday evening. My husband saw the hawk trying to pick her up but didn’t make it far off the ground with her. We’re not sure how long it was happening for. When he approached, the hawk flew off. Piles of feathers no signs of blood. We brought her inside to monitor her.

We can’t see any wounds just a tinny abrasion near her ear. Lots of feathers picked out but no bare skin visibly showing. The main issue is when she is trying to walk or flap her wings she is off balance and falls. Could her balance be off from losing feathers on her wing? It doesn’t appear to be hanging low she is able to flap both of them even though one looks weird from missing feathers. Is there a better method for searching her for wounds? It feels like we missed a spot but she’s got alot of feathers and fluff to work through. She is eating and drinking and more alert today.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

My silkie was attacked by a hawk yesterday evening. My husband saw the hawk trying to pick her up but didn’t make it far off the ground with her. We’re not sure how long it was happening for. When he approached, the hawk flew off. Piles of feathers no signs of blood. We brought her inside to monitor her.

We can’t see any wounds just a tinny abrasion near her ear. Lots of feathers picked out but no bare skin visibly showing. The main issue is when she is trying to walk or flap her wings she is off balance and falls. Could her balance be off from losing feathers on her wing? It doesn’t appear to be hanging low she is able to flap both of them even though one looks weird from missing feathers. Is there a better method for searching her for wounds? It feels like we missed a spot but she’s got alot of feathers and fluff to work through. She is eating and drinking and more alert today.

It could be a head injury. Even if you don’t see anything on the surface, getting dropped can cause internal damage. Think of a concussion. Maybe that’s why she’s having trouble with balance.

 

[Ashez91]

It could be a head injury. Even if you don’t see anything on the surface, getting dropped can cause internal damage. Think of a concussion. Maybe that’s why she’s having trouble with balance.

Thank you for taking the time to reply I didn’t even think of a concussion being the cause.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Thank you for taking the time to reply I didn’t even think of a concussion being the cause.

Yeah. Silkie chickens are known for being fragile, as they have been selectively bred for a skull deformity that makes the crest look bigger.

 

[Ashez91]

Yeah. Silkie chickens are known for being fragile, as they have been selectively bred for a skull deformity that makes the crest look bigger.

Do you happen to know if any supplements can be beneficial for a concussion?

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Do you happen to know if any supplements can be beneficial for a concussion?

No, but @Eggcessive might have some advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

For neurological problems such as head injury or wry neck, I would try some human vitamin E 400 IU daily and B complex 1/4 tablet daily. Crush the B complex into egg or food or give it whole into the beak. The E can be cut open and put on food. A small amount of scrambled egg will supply some selenium as well, which helps the E.

 

[Ashez91]

For neurological problems such as head injury or wry neck, I would try some human vitamin E 400 IU daily and B complex 1/4 tablet daily. Crush the B complex into egg or food or give it whole into the beak. The E can be cut open and put on food. A small amount of scrambled egg will supply some selenium as well, which helps the E.

Thanks so much

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Let us know how she does. It will be helpful for others who have similar experiences.