decapated khaki campbell

[darceyduck]

Hi all I'm just new on here so really hoping someone can help me out. We live in Northumberland uk. We have 6 ducks. 5 indian runners and one khaki campell. this morning when I went to feed them I found the khaki dead in the corner of the run missing its head. he was one male and the other male was in the other corner cowering and hunched up covered in blood. 2 of the 4 females had managed to escape the run into the rest of the outer run but 2 were still inside. one was fine and the other female has some spots of bloody one her. I put the male runner into their bath to rinse him of to see if he was injured. I found a small pucture hole in his chest which wasn't bleeding heavily. I then check him over his wings and feet and they seem untouched. However I'm not sure if he will survive and he is just slouched in the corner not wanting to stand up or move. I dont know if he is heavily traumatised or if he has been shook or what. we have locked all 5 ducks in their house with food and water until we can cover the space above them. can anyone maybe advise what has done this? and any ideas on my surviving male?

Really hope someone can help. Thanks.

 

[Kroelies]

Do you know a vet that you can visit/call? One that treats farm animals perhaps? Sounds like your drake is in shock but I don't know what to do

 

[hilltopchicks77]

I had this happen to my duck last year. I have no idea if this was right but I sat outside and fed her bits of hot dog and talked to her a lot. She did recover I just gave her lots of attention in the mean time

 

[darceyduck]

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm hoping he is just in shock. I have 36 ducklings to hatch in a week or 2 so I might bring him up to my house and keep him in the back yard in their house. just for some peace and quiet. I don't know any vets who deal with these things locally to us. I could maybe try and ring around for some advice. Do you guys have any idea hat might have done this?

 

[Kroelies]

Marten maybe? They can squeeze through tiny gaps and decapitate their prey. From what I've read on other forums. Be carefull it might return to get your other ducks. This is so sad I'm very sorry for what happened

 

[alexkimoto12]

That is awful! I'm not sure what could have done that but I hope you find out what did. Stay on the look out! Hopefully your poor drake will start feeling better!!!

 

[darceyduck]

Thanks for the replies. I'm honestly so upset. It really got to me seeing that this morning and knowing he was probably trying to protect the rest. The head and shoulders is completely gone. Its a very clean cut and not a lot of blood or feathers to be seen. My blue drake who I think is in shock is still alive but not able to move and stand up. He is rolling around until he is comfy. One of my females who is unharmed is now struggling to breath and she is his sister and is next to him.

 

[Kroelies]

Of course you are upset, it is really awful what happened Are they in the same enclosure? I read some more upsetting stories on chicken forums and the decapitating is done by martens, they drink the blood too. They will leave the carcass and come back to eat from it later. So if you can put them in another enclosure or inside (if they're used to that) I'd really do that. For your drake, keep him warm (with hot water bottles?) and see if he wants some sugar water. That's what I could find about treating shock in birds.

 

[darceyduck]

sugar water as in just sugar mixed with water? Ive never had to treat a duck before so totally clueless. I have moved them into the old shed they used to live in. Its at the other end of the allotment and is totally secure. I have left food and water and bedded it out and locked them in. The window is secure with wire mesh so I think we will leave them in there for a couple of days while they all recover. If it wasn't for the other drake being covered in blood and the lack of blood lying I would have not ruled out a person doing it. The cut is that clean. Its not like torn or severed and its literally off by the base of the neck not just the head. Really sorry for such graphic details but its just shocked me.

 

[flossyfelix]

He is probably definitely in shock. Keep him in a warm dry place. You may want to keep him away from the others just to prevent any picking at the wound. If you can run to your local feed store & pick up some Veterycin. The stuff is God Sent! Spray his wound twice a day with it. It will keep it clean, but you want to make sure you keep the flies away the best you can. You will be amazed at how awesome they are at healing... Especially with some TLC. I am so sorry this happened to y'all. The neighbors dog recently got my babygirl- it's heartbreaking. (luckily she made it.) Keep his area clean & just give him a little time to calm down. Try to get the Veterycin asap if possible. He will be OK, just love him through it!