A hawk attacked my duck

[mamachan]

One of our 3 month old ducks was attacked by a hawk this afternoon. My daughter heard it and scared the hawk away quickly. Our duck, Rue, had blood coming out of his nose but that stopped pretty quickly. He hid under a bush for a few hours and then got into the baby pool and has been there ever since. We haven't seen him eat or drink and seems like he's not moving his head or body much. I think he has some scratches or cracks? on his bill. I would take him to a vet but I'm afraid to cause more trauma by catching him and loading him in the car for an hour drive to a vet. We're watching him closely tonight and will try the vet tomorrow. Don't know if he's just in shock or seriously injured. Anything we can or should do in the mean time?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Does he go into a duck house at night? Catching him at night be be easiest.
I hope he gets better.

 

[mamachan]

Yes, she did get out of the pond and put herself to bed in the duck house. Looks like she lost a dewclaw in the fight but walking fine. Still not eating or drinking, but has plenty of clean water and will assess in the morning. Hoping she's okay - it was really awful to see the attack. Others recommended Vetericyn for her foot and saline for her bill so that's the plan for tomorrow.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Most likely in shock. I would definitely check it all over just to be sure there aren't any hidden puncture wounds.

 

[Tom Kathleen]

I love vetrycin pink eye gel. it's basically the exact same as regular vetrycin, but if you get it near eyes or anything, it's safe. if it were me, i'd probably spray some around bill area to try to disinfect and jump start healing -- just don't shoot it directly into nostrils -- you don't want it going in lungs. also chamomile tea in the bathing water and she needs water that only she uses for only part of the day. you don't want her bathing in water she's pooped in or she'll go septic. i had a 24 pound goose living in my bathroom for 6 weeks, but she survived a neck puncture and beak damage from a fox. DEFINITELY take the duck to the vet if you want it to live. we did that with our goose and it was worth the money. they gave us antibiotics for it. with any attack from another animal, the risk of infection is HUGE and sets in REALLY QUICKLY -- the very best thing is antibiotics right away. punctures are bad and animal attacks are bad (talons and teeth have so many germs). good luck!!

 

[Duck Diva]

So sorry about your duck. That’s scary stuff! I agree about having a vet assess the damage. I was nursing a duck back to health indoors after a bobcat attack, but missed a puncture wound under her wing. By the time I took her to the vet, it was too late. Best of luck to you both

 

[Tom Kathleen]

One of our 3 month old ducks was attacked by a hawk this afternoon. My daughter heard it and scared the hawk away quickly. Our duck, Rue, had blood coming out of his nose but that stopped pretty quickly. He hid under a bush for a few hours and then got into the baby pool and has been there ever since. We haven't seen him eat or drink and seems like he's not moving his head or body much. I think he has some scratches or cracks? on his bill. I would take him to a vet but I'm afraid to cause more trauma by catching him and loading him in the car for an hour drive to a vet. We're watching him closely tonight and will try the vet tomorrow. Don't know if he's just in shock or seriously injured. Anything we can or should do in the mean time?

also i forgot to say, when we transported our goose (they are NOT TAME AT ALL -- they are our guard geese and they do NOT like being handled) we got a box that was just a little bit bigger than her, put her in it and covered her whole body with a towel. it was dark in the box for her and the towel put a tiny bit of weight on her to calm her down. when you transport the duck, put it in a box or cage but make sure to COMPLETELY COVER IT. make sure the side ar high enough it can't get out (and if it's dark in there, the animal will be suprisingly calm)

 

[mamachan]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Woke up this morning to a back to normal bird. We gave the duck a bath this morning and found a small puncture on her neck and above her bill. Cleaned and applied antiseptic and will continue to do so. Happily eating and drinking. Will monitor and hoping all is well

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great news!!