Injured Duck Please help!!!!

[Tallula1990]

I have (did have) a male and female duck approx 4yrs old who have lived with us free range (shut in at night) all their life.
2 weeks ago they got attacked in their field by what we think is either a weasel or stout-they both survived but had cuts etc (female was worse than the male) on them - we then kept them under surveillance so they where safe whilst out. Last weekend we shut them seecurley in again and when we came back the weasel had killed or male duck but hadnt touched the female. We have now move her into our horse wagon which the weasel cant get into but she seems very sedate and doesnt like to do much-she comes out in the field with us but tends to just wander round a bit then stop- shes eating a little bit of corn but just doesn't seem to be bouncing back .
Any advice on what to do? Or do they just take time to recover?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have (did have) a male and female duck approx 4yrs old who have lived with us free range (shut in at night) all their life.
2 weeks ago they got attacked in their field by what we think is either a weasel or stout-they both survived but had cuts etc (female was worse than the male) on them - we then kept them under surveillance so they where safe whilst out. Last weekend we shut them seecurley in again and when we came back the weasel had killed or male duck but hadnt touched the female. We have now move her into our horse wagon which the weasel cant get into but she seems very sedate and doesnt like to do much-she comes out in the field with us but tends to just wander round a bit then stop- shes eating a little bit of corn but just doesn't seem to be bouncing back .
Any advice on what to do? Or do they just take time to recover?

I'd seriously think about getting her a few ducks. They just do so much better when they have their own to mingle with. I'd also try giving her some poultry vitamins along with some other kind of feed besides just corn which has hardly any nutritional value. Most likely she is grieving and also afraid since she has been attacked in 2 places she probably felt secure. I hope the horse wagon is secure She has been through enough trauma.
Are her wounds from first attacked healed?
Very sorry for your loss too.

Welcome to BYC.

 

[Tallula1990]

Thankyou we did think about getting her another duck but wanted to make sure the weasel had gone before we did but maybe she would be happier and they can both be in the horsebox then out through the day when we are around to protect them!
Thankyou i looked at getting her some vitamins so will go get some.
Horse wagon is air tight so im hoping it cant get in aswould hate to loose her aswel!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thankyou we did think about getting her another duck but wanted to make sure the weasel had gone before we did but maybe she would be happier and they can both be in the horsebox then out through the day when we are around to protect them!
Thankyou i looked at getting her some vitamins so will go get some.
Horse wagon is air tight so im hoping it cant get in aswould hate to loose her aswel!

Be sure it isn't so air tight there is no ventilation [air getting in side] very important for their health they can have fresh air. Poop can smell like ammonia and that is very harmful to ducks respiratory system, ours too. Not sure what you mean by horse wagon[box] either. The weasel or weasels will always be there, same as here we just have to do all we can to protect them especially when they are in their houses for the night. Mine free range too during day light but thankfully my 5 dogs keep most preds away.

 

[Amiga]

Half inch metal hardware cloth, secured firmly, is said to keep weasels out. But it has to be half inch. And metal.

 

[Tallula1990]

Thankyou the vet is coming out to her as we dont want to distress her even more by moving her- the weasel will hopefully be departing on friday so we will then set her up a new safe place to be and get her another duck to keep her company.
Also got her some vitamin liquid to help her system recover

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thankyou the vet is coming out to her as we dont want to distress her even more by moving her- the weasel will hopefully be departing on friday so we will then set her up a new safe place to be and get her another duck to keep her company.
Also got her some vitamin liquid to help her system recover

Good for you, please let us know what the vet says and of course pics when you get her a buddy.

 

[Tallula1990]

Thankyou for all your help im hoping shes gping to be ok - the first few days she would just sit by us when we let her out but yesterday and today she wandered off on her own with me in hot pusuit so i tjink shes coming back round again

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thankyou for all your help im hoping shes gping to be ok - the first few days she would just sit by us when we let her out but yesterday and today she wandered off on her own with me in hot pusuit so i tjink shes coming back round again

you'll have to play like a duck till you get her some buddies. Whats going on Friday you said the weasel will be gone? open season? lol

 

[Tallula1990]

Lol yeah open season to remove the weasel- havent seen it for days now - it killed two chickens next door on monday and its not been back since! Think if she improves we will make her a safe run to go in