Ducks got attacked last night

[Tilly6]

I'm still following. We're you able to get a baseline weight on them? I ask because once they lose 5-10% of their bodyweight they (vets) one should consider tube feeding. I know it sounds scary, but it is so much safer and less stressful than syringe feeding.
Here is someone else that went though a similar experience:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-ducks-attacked-by-mink.1294178
Can you call your vet and ask about tube feeding?

I can ask. They aren’t really very up on anything that isn’t a dog or cat, maybe a horse :/

 

[casportpony]

I can ask. They aren’t really very up on anything that isn’t a dog or cat, maybe a horse :/

To quote one of my vets who does cats, dogs, and horses "tube feeding birds is so much easier than mammals". Even though your vet might not know that much about poultry, they should know the tube feeding basics.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

You are very lucky then! It was like petting velvet, he was soooooo soft

Yes that’s how they are. But if you pet the opposite direction of the hair it feels like wire

 

[Tilly6]

My ducks wouldn't eat or drink til I put them in a tub ducks will dry out faster so water is a must I would try pain medicine then maybe bath so they can get there bills wey....if not I had to syringe feed water and vitamins...ect to them so they didn't die....

I was able to get them to take the pain medicine, if it tastes as bad as it smells I may not be able to get their beaks open next time! I then gave some water with a syringe and it was eagerly swallowed. I was even more encouraged when we put them in the bath and they were able to lay on the water and drink with no problem. I have raised the feed and added another feeder hanging from the side of the cage. I’m adding a second tub this evening. If I have to, I will segregate the 2 ducks and feed them in the ‘swimming’ water. The kids are out of school today sick, but they have been so great helping hold birds and carry them to the new area. The runners are much easier and calmer to handle than my male Pekin who just finished up treatment for a foot wound last week.

 

[Tilly6]

To quote one of my vets who does cats, dogs, and horses "tube feeding birds is so much easier than mammals". Even though your vet might not know that much about poultry, they should know the tube feeding basics.

Hopefully it won’t reach that point, they can drink from the tub, so I can feed them in the water too if raising the feeder doesn’t help.

 

[Tilly6]

Yes that’s how they are. But if you pet the opposite direction of the hair it feels like wire

He was 8 months old and such a charmer. He just loved up my son until he finally started feeling better

 

[Tilly6]

The time is wrong on the camera, anyway, picture 1 is the trap closed and an animal in front of it. Picture 2 is the muskrat the dog ended up catching. Do they look like they could be the same animal?

We are leaving the traps out for a while yet anyway.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

View attachment 1750426 View attachment 1750427

The time is wrong on the camera, anyway, picture 1 is the trap closed and an animal in front of it. Picture 2 is the muskrat the dog ended up catching. Do they look like they could be the same animal?

We are leaving the traps out for a while yet anyway.

I say yes, that it’s the same kind of animal, the tail seems to match. Not sure if it’s the exact same one in both pictures but it seems likely.

 

[Tilly6]

Here are the girls in their expanded quarters. The pop up pen has a door on the other side so I can add another section when they start feeling better and need more room.

I can open the garage door and if the rest of the uninsured ducks are at the top of the yard they can see each other, it’s too windy today so I am keeping it shut. I’m staying out of there until this evening so hopefully they will relax again and start to clean up

 

[yickenscarf23]

I don't know much about doctoring them up. But I am so so so sorry losing them is heartbreaking.