Adventure Ducks Checking In: Month 11

[Miss Lydia]

I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the juvenile cooper hawk that was harassing my babies hasn't been seen in a week or so. The bad news is because a GIANT red tail hawk has claimed it's space and my Jake. These hawks are ruthless and its not even winter yet.

I was out in the yard with the ducks and this red tail swoops down and snatches Jake before I could grab her. Thankfully the hawk couldn't fly off with my little fatty. It did manage to drag my baby across the yard though. It refused to let go until I hit it with a broom. It flew up into a near by tree and watched while I swooped up my girl. She had some puncture wounds on her neck and a claw mark above her eye. She wasn't making any noise though. Not a single scream during the whole ideal.

Once I had Jake the other two ducks ran from under their cover bush straight to me and we went inside. I cleaned Jake up, disinfected her and let her have a warm bath. She slept all day and night. The next day she was perky. She's eating and pooping and I'm so lucky that she's alright. I would have been devastated if that hawk had stolen her right under my nose.

Oh my goodness you scared me I thought for sure it had, wow what an ordeal and right in front of you, I am so glad to hear she is okay. Give Jake a big hug from Aunt Lydia.

 

[Amiga]

Remember to keep an eye on those puncture wounds, I would research the best oral antibiotic and the dosage in case an infection starts. Ducks can do very well recovering from attacks, and they sometimes still can get an infection from a puncture wound especially.

Got Vetericyn?

By the way, today our skies have been full of raptors. The ducks spent much of the day in the Day Pen - at their request - since it has fence across the top. Even the tea garden, with netting across the top, did not feel secure enough to them today.

Mmmmm mmmm.

 

[Carcajou]

Prayers for a complete recovery.

 

[Amiga]

How's Jake (and all of you) today?

We are still seeing a bunch of raptors.

We live near a brook, and on the other side of the hill is the Naugatuck River.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[melissamerry]

she's such a trooper. Still eating and pooping. she's not even afraid to go outside. Her eye cut is healing nicely and her limp looks to be lessening.

She wont sleep through the night either. Ever since the attack she's been up all night quacking loudly. she's attracting all sorts of critters.
Last night when I went to hush her there was a racoon on one of the fences. So theyve been sleeping inside a lot with me.

The hawk is still circling and perching in nearby trees. I'm wondering if a giant fake owl that I saw at the hardware store might help a little. I just need someone to watch my back. These hawks are sneaky!

 

[Miss Lydia]

she's such a trooper. Still eating and pooping. she's not even afraid to go outside. Her eye cut is healing nicely and her limp looks to be lessening.

She wont sleep through the night either. Ever since the attack she's been up all night quacking loudly. she's attracting all sorts of critters.
Last night when I went to hush her there was a racoon on one of the fences. So theyve been sleeping inside a lot with me.

The hawk is still circling and perching in nearby trees. I'm wondering if a giant fake owl that I saw at the hardware store might help a little. I just need someone to watch my back. These hawks are sneaky!

Have you thought about motion lights? I have them around my outside buildings and if anything is sneaking around the lights will come on, It may give her more security. or dawn to dusk light? Poor thing had to have been traumatized by that episode. I've heard those Owls are deterrents so maybe at least try one or 2. Very relieved to hear she is healing on the outside hopefully the inside will happen soon too.

 

[Carcajou]

Glad to hear Jake is improving.
I have read about night guard predator lights. You might put out a note asking if anyone has used them and how effective they are. Might deter critters from trying to get inside your enclosure and disturbing your flock.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Glad to hear Jake is improving.
I have read about night guard predator lights. You might put out a note asking if anyone has used them and how effective they are. Might deter critters from trying to get inside your enclosure and disturbing your flock.

I use them Carcajou, How good they work? well my game camera picked up a raccoon walking up the ramp to our one duck house and the pred light flashing right there. This was at night.

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for the update. I would keep them close till you get some more security in place. Glad you brought them in at night for now.

I used equine electric tape, two strands, around the duck house when they slept outside at night.

Since we have a walkout basement and it's warm without extra heat, and we have the space, that is our security for night time. The Day Pen with fence top bottom and sides seems to have been working fine for the day, and at the same time, I am slowly moving to use the electric fence around the Day Pen. Just more and more critters around, day and night.

We were just about to go for a walk when a sharp-shinned hawk swooped right over the corner of the Day Pen, maybe six or eight feet up. It may have been going for something else, but it was quite close to us. The ducks decided they would rather stay in the pen for a while.

I have deer netting across the top of the tea garden, by the way. It wraps itself around anything that tries to go through it.