Fox Attack

[Lloy-D2788]

2 days ago a fox got into our little call ducks. It should never have happened but the person looking after our ducks (as I visited my terminally ill grandmother) misunderstood our instructions and they were left in their pen at night. It took our two females but our male managed to escape and hide in a bush till morning. We sped home to tend to him and he’s able to walk and swim, he’s inside and has improved hugely but he’s just so quiet and seems so lost.

He had been grabbed, he has missing feathers from his neck and a small wound at the front of his chest and a cut on his beak. We have cleaned the wounds and they have scabbed up nicely. We are trying to organise company as I think this would help, but I’m worried about his neck. He will allow us to move his head to stretch out his neck it without any struggle or fuss, but he keeps it tucked down pretty much all the time. It’s looks slightly odd, but then he has a huge chunk of feathers missing. He’s still grooming and drinking, and eating a little. Should we go to the vet? I’m more than happy to take him, the only reason we haven’t is that none of them are bird specialists and we don’t want to throw money away. We need an idea of what we’d need to be asking for so I can make sure he gets what he needs. We are so worried about him.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I am sorry fo your loss, @Isaac 0 has usually got some great care advice. Pictures would definitely help.

 

[Isaac 0]

As, Seth, mentioned, could you post a few pictures of the duck and his injuries?

Could you post a picture of his feces as well?

To your knowledge how long was the wound left unattended without any treatment?

 

[Lloy-D2788]

Okay. So we were called at about 12:30 in the afternoon, and had packed and left by 2:30. We got home about 7. I’d guess he was untreated (other than being put in a crate with food and water) for at least 8-12 hours.

Then wound was washed immediately, but looks more like bleeding from feathers being plucked. His neck is my main worry, as it seems odd. He’ll allow us to extend it (and is grooming and drinking as I’d expect) but he’s generally in the same position with it tucked in. We are happy to take him to the vet, they’ve just admitted they know very little so we need help on what he’ll need.

We have been offered two Cherry Valley females, and will go get them today if you think this will help, or does he need more rest first?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I am so sorry.
I hope he gets better.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I am no expert, but i think if this fox attack was a preventable thing (meaning its not a situation that needs addressing before getting more) I would want to have them and have them acclimated to their surroundings. So when he is ready to go back he has friends to meet.

 

[Lloy-D2788]

I am no expert, but i think if this fox attack was a preventable thing (meaning its not a situation that needs addressing before getting more) I would want to have them and have them acclimated to their surroundings. So when he is ready to go back he has friends to meet.

Yes, this is essentially true and I think you’ve got a really good point. I will message the guy and go get them ASAP.

 

[416bigbore]

So sorry for your loss, what an awful thing to have happen.

 

[Lloy-D2788]

I am so sorry.
I hope he gets better.

Thank you. Me too. :’(

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, this is essentially true and I think you’ve got a really good point. I will message the guy and go get them ASAP.

Getting him a few females should perk him up but keep an eye on the girls being he isn't feeling his best they may pick on him. He's such a pretty drake. Very sorry for your loss.