Duck bit by Snake

[Lindsayy]

My sister heard my ducks making some noise and found a snake wrapped around one of my 6 and a half week old ducklings. She was almost strangled and was bitten on her neck. I brought both the ducklings inside and cleaned her wound with hydrogen peroxide. What else should I do? I know the snake wasn't venomous as it was a rat snake.

The ducklings are almost full grown, I had no idea a snake would even try to eat them. The snake was big but theres no way it would've been able to eat her whole. Im keeping them locked in the porch for now, but i'm still worried. Will a snake try and eat my adults? My girls are terrified now and I feel bad for them.

We're in texas, has anyone else been having an issue with snakes this year? I've never seen so many before. What can we do to deter them?

 

[nuthatched]

There are products you can buy that are supposed to repell snakes.
Basic first aid is likely enough but I'd monitor for infection.
They'll forget in a few days, don't worry.

 

[ducklover128]

I'm sorry, and it sucks, but the only thing I've found that works, is the snake has to go. Black snake or whatever, it will keep coming back. We lost a full grown muscovy hen that the snake killed, tried to swallow but she was too big, so it spit her back out. Her neck and head were wet, Only way we knew what happened. Weve had several baby ducks disappear, and we know it was a snake. We knew we had snakes on the property, we live in the woods, but one day I found 3, yes 3, in the coop with the baby ducks. Then found several more close by when we started looking. We killed about 10 or so that one week. They never helped with the mice, apparently ducks and eggs taste better. I remember the first snake I saw, and said I don't mind if it gets an egg here and there, if it helps with mice control. Never thought about us having duck babies at the time. We were new to having a flock, and didn't know that Muscovies are baby making machines. Then, when we found the Muscovy hen, I realized how wrong and naive I was. I love snakes, but don't trust them. Not around my flock. And they will keep coming, and I swear they tell their friends. I hate to kill anything, but I will to protect my flock. I even take spiders outside when I find them in the house. It's not my place on this earth to decide anybody's fate, but you mess with my family, and i will retaliate.