Fox Attack

[Lloy-D2788]

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.

This was my worry, but then I thought I could keep him crated so he can see them first for a while. He’s is so unlike himself. It breaks my heart to see him like this.

 

[Isaac 0]

Most of the damage that I can see appears to be superficial and should heal on its own. Application of an antibacterial ointment and intimate monitoring of the ducks feed, and water intake may be a precautious measure. The others have provided some good information.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

This was my worry, but then I thought I could keep him crated so he can see them first for a while. He’s is so unlike himself. It breaks my heart to see him like this.

We have a dog pen and it is wonderful. More room than a crate, folds flat and they get to be on the ground and everyone can visit. Perfect sick bay.

 

[WindingRoad]

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.

I think maybe he is just traumatized and holding his head down. He's sad about his flock mates and maybe still a little scared. TLC goes a long ways. Sometimes just as needed as ointment. Good luck.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

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.

They said their pet sitter misunderstood and left them out at night. So yes.. preventable but it wasn't the op's mistake.

 

[Lloy-D2788]

Most of the damage that I can see appears to be superficial and should heal on its own. Application of an antibacterial ointment and intimate monitoring of the ducks feed, and water intake may be a precautious measure. The others have provided some good information.

This was my thought too - it looks mainly to be trauma from the grabbing and plucking of feathers. We’ve bought purple spray so will apply this regularly. Currently he’s drinking fine but hasn’t eaten a great deal, hopefully he perks up soon.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I think maybe he is just traumatized and holding his head down. He's sad about his flock mates and maybe still a little scared. TLC goes a long ways. Sometimes just as needed as ointment. Good luck.

I agree with you. There is definitely some superficial injuries but for the time being he may be down in terms of behavior. Getting some girls when he is ready will help him. In the mean time lots of TLC

 

[Miss Lydia]

This was my worry, but then I thought I could keep him crated so he can see them first for a while. He’s is so unlike himself. It breaks my heart to see him like this.

Good way to introduce, I have a dog X pen that I use for things like this.

 

[Lloy-D2788]

I’m starting to worry more about his neck. It definitely is odd and while he can open his wings he only does so slowly and for very short periods. He’s certainly improving - he’s more active, he’s eating regularly and he’s grooming, but the angle of the neck is off when we watch him. If this is a neck injury, can he live with it? Or will he be in pain? We really want him to live out his life a happy duck, but we don’t want to hold onto him if he’ll suffer. Surely, if he’s managing this and eating well he should be fine even if he doesn’t get full range of use of his neck?

Hopefully, this will help to show what I mean...

 

[Lloy-D2788]

Good way to introduce, I have a dog X pen that I use for things like this.

I think we have secured two ducks to join him. We can collect on Monday. So relieved.