brand new baby duck abandoned

[Cailly_Sighs]

Thank you

I am def reporting this, especially after looking up diseases, it seems it was/is this:

Duck Virus Hepatitis. Duck virus hepatitis (DVH) is a highly fatal contagious disease of young ducklings, 1-28 days of age. Ducklings are most susceptible at the younger ages and gradually become more resistant as they grow older. The disease is rarely seen in ducklings over 4 weeks of age. The onset of the disease is very rapid, it spreads quickly through the flock and may cause up to 90% mortality. Sick ducklings develop spasmodic contractions of their legs and die within an hour in a typical "arched-backward" position. The liver is enlarged and shows hemorrhagic spots. To prevent this disease, keep age groups isolated and vaccinate breeder ducks with an attenuated live virus duck hepatitis vaccine (to produce maternally immune ducklings).

The symptoms match but maybe it was something else, I don't know... not doing an autopsy, that is for sure.

To make the morning even better:
Our Corgi was on the back porch on his leash ( to keep him away from ducklings) Unbeknownst to me, the mom decided to walk from their normal spot to somewhere else, probably heading back to original nest like yesterday, but didn't see or hear that dog was out. Well, he got one of the ducklings and killed it. I found a few of her feathers and her in shock and scared under a car. The other babies were all back under the deck, crying; I couldn't see well, but it looked like on ducking had a fresh sore on its side but it was walking around and acting fine.. All the ducks seem to be in a state of shock and mourning.

I hope they are all ok, but since under a low deck, I really cant be sure..

What a morning.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you

I am def reporting this, especially after looking up diseases, it seems it was/is this:

Duck Virus Hepatitis. Duck virus hepatitis (DVH) is a highly fatal contagious disease of young ducklings, 1-28 days of age. Ducklings are most susceptible at the younger ages and gradually become more resistant as they grow older. The disease is rarely seen in ducklings over 4 weeks of age. The onset of the disease is very rapid, it spreads quickly through the flock and may cause up to 90% mortality. Sick ducklings develop spasmodic contractions of their legs and die within an hour in a typical "arched-backward" position. The liver is enlarged and shows hemorrhagic spots. To prevent this disease, keep age groups isolated and vaccinate breeder ducks with an attenuated live virus duck hepatitis vaccine (to produce maternally immune ducklings).

The symptoms match but maybe it was something else, I don't know... not doing an autopsy, that is for sure.

To make the morning even better:
Our Corgi was on the back porch on his leash ( to keep him away from ducklings) Unbeknownst to me, the mom decided to walk from their normal spot to somewhere else, probably heading back to original nest like yesterday, but didn't see or hear that dog was out. Well, he got one of the ducklings and killed it. I found a few of her feathers and her in shock and scared under a car. The other babies were all back under the deck, crying; I couldn't see well, but it looked like on ducking had a fresh sore on its side but it was walking around and acting fine.. All the ducks seem to be in a state of shock and mourning.

I hope they are all ok, but since under a low deck, I really cant be sure..

What a morning.

That's sad, we lost a baby duckling to one of our dachshunds last year, believe me the ducklings this year have not been any where near the dogs, very heartbreaking. You have had a very sad morning. Is there anyway you can lock mom and babies in their own secure pen?

 

[Cailly_Sighs]

I have been wracking my brain trying to figure how to fence off the deck and keep her and them in that area but the deck is attached to the rear porch deck and entrance to the house. I might have eough fencing to put up to go all the way around the deck and porch deck, but the stairs are then an issue as well, and then a gate at the top of the stairs... I moved the dogs leash to the front door (which is never used) for now until I figure out what to do. I know I need to fence it up cos it is not fair to the dog not to be able to run around ( he never bothered these ducks before this, he just wants the ducklings... i think he thinks they are squeaky toys....)

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Dogs *can* be taught the "Leave it " and "Off" and "Drop it" commands. I have taught my purebred Lab, a hunting dog, from hunting dog stock, these commands and she is now fine around ducks of all ages. That being said, however, the ducklings sounds especially used to set off her prey drive instinct, as did the general ruckus in the water noises.

I'm sorry you lost the duckling. Maybe the mother knew something you didn't? Either way, I know it is always hard to lose them.

 

[Cailly_Sighs]

Yes. he knows the command "leave it" however, if no one is around ( I was sitting inside, cupping Harry in my hands trying to keep him warm as he died at the time, so I wan't there to say leave it, though i have told him it beofre and he KNOWs to leave the ducks alone.

A Reallly sad morning for sure; but now Harry isnt buried alone and has a sibling to run and be happy with int he duck after-world.