Injured Duck

[chris330r]

Of course the males don't want him around it's breeding season. Hopefully they aren't fighting since they have such a nice large area to stay away from each. Maybe he'll eventually get a little harem of his own. They like other things too romaine lettuce chopped up grapes. Chopped tomatoes.

I didn't think of that and it makes sense. The males seem to outnumber the females so competition must be high among them. Thanks for the food tips. A neighbor once told me white rice is good for them and it's also cheap. I have a 2lb bag stored away i'll cook up today for them till I can get to the store tomorrow.

 

[happy duck]

Sounds like he is doing really well! This is great! Him feeding and drinking are great signs! The other duck are just showing dominance. My male does that to my females...it is normal....

 

[chris330r]

Sounds like he is doing really well! This is great! Him feeding and drinking are great signs! The other duck are just showing dominance. My male does that to my females...it is normal....

I was wondering about dominance. Like perhaps the injured duck was the leader and as soon as the other males saw he was injured began vying for his top spot as the new leader? I wonder if there's a hierarchy among flocks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

There is and when there is more drakes than ducks the poor females suffer from over breeding and other injures not much can be done in a wild setting but your Muscovys are feral not wild. So somewhere along the way they were either dumped by people or hatched by dumpstees. So they are not accepted as a protected species in most of the USA. So they have to defend their territory and that means usually one or two drakes will be the dominant males and the others have to mate on the sly without the dominating drakes seeing’s them or fights start. They are lovely ducks it’s such a shame they get such a bad rap. I am just so thankful someone took pity on this friend of yours and helped him.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

such good news!

 

[chris330r]

He appeared again like clockwork at 7:30pm and was sitting in the sun next to another male and female, so they're letting him sit close to them. However, feeding him is difficult because they then push and chase him away and take all the food. And he becomes submissive and runs away.

So I managed to get him by the wall and poured parrot food for him and stood guard while he ate. The others are relentless trying to horn in on his food but I kept them all at bay while he ate. I'm sure he appreciated it as his tail was wagging like a dog while he vacuumed everything up.

Afterwards he went to the pond to drink and then sat in the sun and began preening his feathers. So I think he's going to be just fine. Being gone all day and only coming before sundown tells me he's getting food somewhere during the day. If he were starving i'm sure he'd be hanging around much earlier begging for food.

So it's truly a happy ending and he's recovering just fine! I'm also so glad I did a search to find this board as it really helped me through all this. I hate seeing any animal suffer and coming here was very therapeutic, so I thank everyone who replied with their advice or just well wishes. It really helped!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

We appreciate you sharing it all with us. I was heartbreaking to see him like that but also warms the heart that someone cared enough to help him. Bless you for caring!

 

[WindingRoad]

He appeared again like clockwork at 7:30pm and was sitting in the sun next to another male and female, so they're letting him sit close to them. However, feeding him is difficult because they then push and chase him away and take all the food. And he becomes submissive and runs away.

So I managed to get him by the wall and poured parrot food for him and stood guard while he ate. The others are relentless trying to horn in on his food but I kept them all at bay while he ate. I'm sure he appreciated it as his tail was wagging like a dog while he vacuumed everything up.

Afterwards he went to the pond to drink and then sat in the sun and began preening his feathers. So I think he's going to be just fine. Being gone all day and only coming before sundown tells me he's getting food somewhere during the day. If he were starving i'm sure he'd be hanging around much earlier begging for food.

So it's truly a happy ending and he's recovering just fine! I'm also so glad I did a search to find this board as it really helped me through all this. I hate seeing any animal suffer and coming here was very therapeutic, so I thank everyone who replied with their advice or just well wishes. It really helped!!

You did the hard work and kept at it. You didn't give up and now you are reaping the rewards. We reap what we sow. God bless you.

 

[chris330r]

You did the hard work and kept at it. You didn't give up and now you are reaping the rewards. We reap what we sow. God bless you.

Thank you so much. Just seeing him being ok again is the best reward I could ask for. It was a busy day and I forgot to pick up the dry cat food. I saw this on the Walmart website and have tomorrow all clear to head over and pick it up.
It's called "Friskies Seafood Sensations" and the first ingredient is ground yellow corn and has 30% protein. (it's also the cheapest at $4.99) It should be perfect for him to build up strength. I feel like i've adopted him lol. I even made him my profile pic.

He came back tonight and got more whole wheat bread from me. Then went down to the pond to drink and relax till sundown. The bottom of his beak where the hook was is black and it looks like a tiny part of the bottom beak is gone on the side towards the back of it. It's hard to tell clearly because it's all black in that area. I think after it all heals I should get a better view. But it's nothing that prevents him from eating.

I'll update tomorrow after I give him the cat food. I hope he takes to it.

 

[Jpat]

Thank you so much. Just seeing him being ok again is the best reward I could ask for. It was a busy day and I forgot to pick up the dry cat food. I saw this on the Walmart website and have tomorrow all clear to head over and pick it up.
It's called "Friskies Seafood Sensations" and the first ingredient is ground yellow corn and has 30% protein. (it's also the cheapest at $4.99) It should be perfect for him to build up strength. I feel like i've adopted him lol. I even made him my profile pic.

He came back tonight and got more whole wheat bread from me. Then went down to the pond to drink and relax till sundown. The bottom of his beak where the hook was is black and it looks like a tiny part of the bottom beak is gone on the side towards the back of it. It's hard to tell clearly because it's all black in that area. I think after it all heals I should get a better view. But it's nothing that prevents him from eating.

I'll update tomorrow after I give him the cat food. I hope he takes to it.

Thats what i feed mine for treats, Good and cheap

Are muscovie protected there? mabye you could make a little area and keep him, if hes not crazy and wild

Or mabye get some muscovy ducklings, They are the sweetest youd love em