Ducks got attacked last night

[Magnolia Ducks]

Ducks are tough little creatures. Give them some time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you want to let them wash up you could always do two at a time

 

[casportpony]

Who were the other two people that recently went through this with their ducks?

 

[Fishkeeper]

You should probably apply an antibiotic ointment to the wounds if you can, and check them out for what's going on.
But DON'T use a systemic antibiotic, not unless they actually start showing signs of infection. For one thing, it can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For another, it's really hard on their systems. As is being jabbed with a thick needle on a regular basis.

 

[cymbaline]

@cymbaline just went through this with her ducks.

Yes, I did, and I am so very sorry for what you guys are going through. I couldn't bear to look through the entire original post - still too upsetting - but from what I've read throughout this thread your situation sounds just like mine. I had hardware cloth all over, but had moved the door recently and apparently didn't get it secured well enough around it. I've had that pen for 6.5 years and never had a bit of trouble until last month.
Here's a link to my thread so you can read through it - I got a lot of great advice.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/need-advice-on-treating-ducks-that-were-attacked.1296907/
Two of my three that survived the initial attack are back to normal now. I lost Tony...still not sure what happened; it seemed sudden, like one day he was just a little subdued and the next he was dying. Only thing I can think of is infection...he flapped his wings one day while I was trying to dose him and knocked over the bottle of antibiotics. It had already been like 4-5 days of giving that one (plus a few days of one before in their water) and everybody seemed to be doing fine so I just let it go. So watch for anyone acting any worse at all than they had been...might be really bad.
In order to get the remaining ducks out of my house without losing my sanity worrying about them, I decided to dig up the entire pen 4-6 inches down, screwed in 2x4s in between my 4x4 uprights, and then ran hardware cloth all along the bottom, stapling it around the perimeter and zip-tying and overlapping the seams, then put all the dirt back. Boy was that a job! I also put 2x4s in front of the door at the top and bottom, so when the door is shut it's pressed against them. Basically there is absolutely nowhere on this thing now that has an opening bigger than my pinky finger, lol. They just spent their first night outside in over a month last night.

 

[50-45-1]

Head and neck injuries, multiple dead, thats weasel MO.
I caught mine in a small ive trap using a bloody piece of one of the birds he had killed the previous night. WIRE the meat to the pan so he has to stay put and work at it.
Place trap on a level surface and test fire it a couple times to be sure it is not hanging up.
He WILL be back tonight. I used a baby monitor so i knew when something was going on in the coop.
Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Tilly6]

Yes, I did, and I am so very sorry for what you guys are going through. I couldn't bear to look through the entire original post - still too upsetting - but from what I've read throughout this thread your situation sounds just like mine. I had hardware cloth all over, but had moved the door recently and apparently didn't get it secured well enough around it. I've had that pen for 6.5 years and never had a bit of trouble until last month.
Here's a link to my thread so you can read through it - I got a lot of great advice.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/need-advice-on-treating-ducks-that-were-attacked.1296907/
Two of my three that survived the initial attack are back to normal now. I lost Tony...still not sure what happened; it seemed sudden, like one day he was just a little subdued and the next he was dying. Only thing I can think of is infection...he flapped his wings one day while I was trying to dose him and knocked over the bottle of antibiotics. It had already been like 4-5 days of giving that one (plus a few days of one before in their water) and everybody seemed to be doing fine so I just let it go. So watch for anyone acting any worse at all than they had been...might be really bad.
In order to get the remaining ducks out of my house without losing my sanity worrying about them, I decided to dig up the entire pen 4-6 inches down, screwed in 2x4s in between my 4x4 uprights, and then ran hardware cloth all along the bottom, stapling it around the perimeter and zip-tying and overlapping the seams, then put all the dirt back. Boy was that a job! I also put 2x4s in front of the door at the top and bottom, so when the door is shut it's pressed against them. Basically there is absolutely nowhere on this thing now that has an opening bigger than my pinky finger, lol. They just spent their first night outside in over a month last night.

So sorry to hear your guy died after all. I’ve got the door secured, the game camera is set up and 2 large traps out. Very much hoping it’s not a weasel.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I’ll be doing my best to try and make sure they do.

This is my (and I'm sure everyone's) biggest fear when my babies go out in their coop permanently!

 

[Tilly6]

It’s a mink. I can’t believe we caught it in a raccoon trap, but it was a brand new trap and the release was very light. It didn’t get any more ducks, it went to the trap first.

The injured 6 from yesterday all made it through the night.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

It’s a mink. I can’t believe we caught it in a raccoon trap, but it was a brand new trap and the release was very light. It didn’t get any more ducks, it went to the trap first.

The injured 6 from yesterday all made it through the night.

Glad you caught him!

You should leave the traps out again tonight in case there’s more.