Injured Duck

[chris330r]

I don't have a net, but do have a very large cotton blanket I can throw over him. But i'm only one person and I doubt i'd be successful at it. When he was eating out of the bowl in my hand I wondered if I went really quick, I could just grab it quick and yank it off him, but I didn't try as I don't want to injure him any worse. But if there's no one else to help, should I try that as a last resort?
When he opened his beak earlier to try and shake off the hook, I saw inside where the hook was is all black. Does that mean it's infected? I just can't stand watching this poor animal die a slow painful death like this.
And I have a newfound hate for careless people who fish. This is a small pond....it's not even a lake. The only fish in there are tiny little fish smaller than your hand that the egrets eat. Why on earth would you want to fish for those tiny things anyway?

I've seen water birds. (I don't know their names, but they have wings and live in the water.) They look half bird half fish, and ive seen them with their beaks tied shut with fishing wire wrapped around them. Once I found someone to cut the line off one and he flew away free of the line.
I just don't know why people who fish don't take other water animals into consideration. It just seems so irresponsible and needless harm.

 

[chris330r]

Man that looks real painful. It is so good of you to try to help this fella. I hope you can find some kind of wild life place to come take him. It was a great sign that he ate from the bowl you had. Keep doing that and maybe get a small bag of all flock food just so that it is giving him some better nutrients. I don't know if this would be a good idea or not but once he gets a little more comfortable then try to grab him and take him inside and work on that hook. Watch his toenails..Muscovy's have sharp nails!

I have a screened patio that he comes right up to. If I could snag him and drag him inside here, I can better help him and that hook being an enclosed area. That's a good idea. Next time he gets that close i'll try and bring him inside here.

 

[happy duck]

I don't have a net, but do have a very large cotton blanket I can throw over him. But i'm only one person and I doubt i'd be successful at it. When he was eating out of the bowl in my hand I wondered if I went really quick, I could just grab it quick and yank it off him, but I didn't try as I don't want to injure him any worse. But if there's no one else to help, should I try that as a last resort?
When he opened his beak earlier to try and shake off the hook, I saw inside where the hook was is all black. Does that mean it's infected? I just can't stand watching this poor animal die a slow painful death like this.
And I have a newfound hate for careless people who fish. This is a small pond....it's not even a lake. The only fish in there are tiny little fish smaller than your hand that the egrets eat. Why on earth would you want to fish for those tiny things anyway?

I've seen water birds. (I don't know their names, but they have wings and live in the water.) They look half bird half fish, and ive seen them with their beaks tied shut with fishing wire wrapped around them. Once I found someone to cut the line off one and he flew away free of the line.
I just don't know why people who fish don't take other water animals into consideration. It just seems so irresponsible and needless harm.

I would definitely not pull it our but if you are quick put your hands on his back(to keep his wings down) and grab him. It probably is infected..depending on how long it has been in. If they have used this hook before and got fish guts on it and now that hook is in a ducks bill/mouth...infection.

 

[happy duck]

I have a screened patio that he comes right up to. If I could snag him and drag him inside here, I can better help him and that hook being an enclosed area. That's a good idea. Next time he gets that close i'll try and bring him inside here.

Or when he is eating as fast as possible grab him.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I have a screened patio that he comes right up to. If I could snag him and drag him inside here, I can better help him and that hook being an enclosed area. That's a good idea. Next time he gets that close i'll try and bring him inside here.

You probably won't be able to just yank it out. Like @Jpat
Said. . there will be a barb on the end.
It's possible the black is just muck build up from him eating and stuff getting stuck around it. Your best bet is to catch him. Wrap him up like a burrito in a blanket or towel so you can remove the barb and it should just come right out.

 

[happy duck]

Also if you have a blanket to cover his eyes when you are working might help him stay a little more calm..but really just depends on the duck.

 

[DuckyDonna]

If it's a treble hook, 3 pronged, 3 hooks in one, you will have to cut the barbs off one at a time and work the hook out. You need another helper! My Destin sea captain husband just looked at it and said that's the only way to do it. Believe me he knows! Surely there is someone around that will help you!

 

[chris330r]

He ate 2 slices of wheat bread and got it all down. I realized he can only put down the bread if it's really tiny pieces. So I kept breaking off pieces for him and he ate both slices and went to the water to wash it all down.
The other ducks see he's injured and are trying to take advantage by trying to take his food or chasing him away. It's sad to see, but I managed to shoo away the other ducks so he could eat. Until I can help this little guy, i'll keep giving him food like this in tiny pieces.

 

[chris330r]

If it's a treble hook, 3 pronged, 3 hooks in one, you will have to cut the barbs off one at a time and work the hook out. You need another helper! My Destin sea captain husband just looked at it and said that's the only way to do it. Believe me he knows! Surely there is someone around that will help you!

Sadly, i'm getting no responses over on the Florida board and I really have no one who can help me with this. If he gets weak enough I think I'd be able to do it myself. I just have to pick up a pair of wire cutters.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

If it's a treble hook, 3 pronged, 3 hooks in one, you will have to cut the barbs off one at a time and work the hook out. You need another helper! My Destin sea captain husband just looked at it and said that's the only way to do it. Believe me he knows! Surely there is someone around that will help you!

I just looked back at the picture. .oh my. Yes that is a treble hook.
Ya.. There's no way that is coming getting removed without cutting off those barbs.
I so wish I could come help!