Fox Attack

[ducky333]

I have a mallard duck who was sitting on her nest and was attacked by a fox, he tore her eye out and some of her feathers, i notice her feathers are starting to grow back, i let her out with the rest of the ducks and she wont swim in water, she stays around the ponds edge, is this normal because of the missing feathers? and has anyone else had a duck survive without being able to see out of both eyes?The attack was 12 days ago.I cleaned her eye and applied antibiotic ointment and treated her 7 days on pencilin, and it is now looking like it is almost closed completely like grown over.the fox ripped out a few feathers under her wing and on her back, those areas were never bloody wounds but i also cleaned the areas and treated with antibitic ointment and they are now showing black in the skin, the new feathers are starting to grow back there. I let her out with the rest of the gang today to see how well she would be out of the the cage since the attack but she appeared to be cold and wet this evening, she walks off to the water but then comes back in and hangs out at the waters edge, i'm wondering if it is because of her missing feathers? she is now in my shed with food and water and some shavings so she can be safe for the night and warm. any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Great job taking care of her. I would think she could survive perfectly well with one eye. I'd give her some time to adjust and let those feathers grow out. Maybe she's just trying to get her bearings after the whole ordeal. I have two fully feathered ducks that refuse to go in the pond, but as time goes on the one will try to sit in it, but freaks herself out haha. Hopefully some other people will have more input.

 

[RPAtkins12]

Lock them in at night! I learned the hard way six weeks ago...I lost two ducklings and my favorite egg layer hen to a predator attack! The ducks were in the pen but not locked in the house. All I found was feathers and the pen torn open. My other ducks were scattered in the yard, hiding under brush and bushes. I wanted to be sure who my enemy was, so I bought a Bushnell night vision camera. Here's what the camera recorded...but this time, no dinner for Mr. Fox! My ducks were locked up tight in the duck house! I do let them free range in a fenced in wooded area between 10 AM with my dogs but bring them back in no later than 4 PM. I have had other visitors on the camera too...an opossum, crows...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMI5whUgwxk&feature=youtu.be

Good Luck!

 

[ducky333]

I didn't have them locked up because we just rescued them about a month ago and they are used to free roaming but we are trying to get a house together to get them in at night, thanks for the quick reply. she seems fine now eating well...she prefers cat food lol, but wont go in water, i guess with missing feathers will she avoid water because she might get chilled? Anymore info would be greatly appreciated!