Hi All, we have had four ducks for three years. We let them out for pond time most evenings, with some supervision. The pond is about 1/4 acre and is very muddy full of red clay, so no visibility. The pond is stocked with channel catfish that are now about four pounds. There are also slider turtles present, but I’ve assumed no snapping turtles since we haven’t had issues in the three years.
Yesterday evening, the ducks were out and I heard one alarm quacking. I looked out at the pond and saw only ducks and water, but one duck was quacking and seemed upset, about 20 ft from shore. This is not unusual as they are often startled, probably by the catfish looking for food. Soon after, the ducks came up to go in the coop for the night, and the startled duck had a laceration on her neck. It looks like something sliced open her neck amd pulled skin back, so there is a 2x2 area of exposed muscles. I put Vetericyn on it and bandaged then gave antibiotics. She’s in a cage in my garage but very unhappy about it, acting terrified every time I walk by and not eating or drinking. My real question though is what could have hurt her? It would have to be something in the water: a piece of metal? Maybe a snapping turtle wandered in from another pond? Any other possibilities? Channel cats have sandpaper-like grinding teeth, so I can’t see them able to do this. I also can’t see a slider turtle or water snake managing it… I can keep the other ducks locked up for awhile, but not forever and I’m not sure what to do about the situation! Pics of ducks and pond.
Yesterday evening, the ducks were out and I heard one alarm quacking. I looked out at the pond and saw only ducks and water, but one duck was quacking and seemed upset, about 20 ft from shore. This is not unusual as they are often startled, probably by the catfish looking for food. Soon after, the ducks came up to go in the coop for the night, and the startled duck had a laceration on her neck. It looks like something sliced open her neck amd pulled skin back, so there is a 2x2 area of exposed muscles. I put Vetericyn on it and bandaged then gave antibiotics. She’s in a cage in my garage but very unhappy about it, acting terrified every time I walk by and not eating or drinking. My real question though is what could have hurt her? It would have to be something in the water: a piece of metal? Maybe a snapping turtle wandered in from another pond? Any other possibilities? Channel cats have sandpaper-like grinding teeth, so I can’t see them able to do this. I also can’t see a slider turtle or water snake managing it… I can keep the other ducks locked up for awhile, but not forever and I’m not sure what to do about the situation! Pics of ducks and pond.
