Injured Duckling - Am I doing the right thing?

[mamdoe]

At some point today, one of my ducklings was injured. They are just 4 weeks old and beginning to get wing feathers. It looks like one of the other ducklings or possibly a chicken bit her wing and pulled the new part of the feather out, leaving a bleeding quill. It didn't look too bad, so I've just been checking on her. But the last time I checked on her, it was bleeding more and the other ducklings kept biting at it.
So, I brought her in and cleaned it up. I then put her in a dog crate in the duck coop with food and water. I added some electrolytes and probiotics to her water.
I have all the ducklings in the coop with her, as she was stressed being away from them. She is just isolated in the dog crate. She is calm now and eating/drinking. Is there anything else I should be doing. I'm hoping within a day or two the wing will heal up and I can let her out again. I just don't want the other ducklings to make it worse!

 

[Miss Lydia]

At some point today, one of my ducklings was injured. They are just 4 weeks old and beginning to get wing feathers. It looks like one of the other ducklings or possibly a chicken bit her wing and pulled the new part of the feather out, leaving a bleeding quill. It didn't look too bad, so I've just been checking on her. But the last time I checked on her, it was bleeding more and the other ducklings kept biting at it.
So, I brought her in and cleaned it up. I then put her in a dog crate in the duck coop with food and water. I added some electrolytes and probiotics to her water.
I have all the ducklings in the coop with her, as she was stressed being away from them. She is just isolated in the dog crate. She is calm now and eating/drinking. Is there anything else I should be doing. I'm hoping within a day or two the wing will heal up and I can let her out again. I just don't want the other ducklings to make it worse!

You are doing the right thing these kinds of injuries bleed alot so keeping the little one separated but still with everyone is best. Hopefully keeping her over night or longer depending on how it looks will give this time to get started healing but keep an eye on everyone that they don't go after it again.

 

[mamdoe]

Thanks for the reply! It is already looking much better. No longer bleeding or red. Do you think overnight will be long enough To keep her separate?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the reply! It is already looking much better. No longer bleeding or red. Do you think overnight will be long enough To keep her separate?

Well all you can do is let her back out and see how everyone acts, as long as it isn't bleeding maybe they'll leave her alone. Also there is a product called Blue kote maybe you already have some, i got mine at TSC it turns a wound or injury purple when you spray it, helps not on to disguise but also to heal so you might try some to distract the rest from messing with it. Just make sure you wear old clothes and gloves when applying or you'll be purple for a while till it wears off.

 

[mamdoe]

Well all you can do is let her back out and see how everyone acts, as long as it isn't bleeding maybe they'll leave her alone. Also there is a product called Blue kote maybe you already have some, i got mine at TSC it turns a wound or injury purple when you spray it, helps not on to disguise but also to heal so you might try some to distract the rest from messing with it. Just make sure you wear old clothes and gloves when applying or you'll be purple for a while till it wears off. 

Thanks. This morning I went out and brought them some peas. I let her out of the dog crate so I could get a closer look. Her wing looks better, but they did start pecking at it right away, so back she went. I'm going to buy some blue kote today. But I'm wondering..is this a common thing? I saw another post about feather eating, is that what's happening?
Thank you for your help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks. This morning I went out and brought them some peas. I let her out of the dog crate so I could get a closer look. Her wing looks better, but they did start pecking at it right away, so back she went. I'm going to buy some blue kote today. But I'm wondering..is this a common thing? I saw another post about feather eating, is that what's happening?
Thank you for your help!

It happens when they are confined more than if they have space to move around more and forage like ducks would do in the wild, and she may be low man on pecking order also so of course she's going to get pecked on. Hopefully the Blue Kote will do the job and get their minds off of it. How are you keeping them? if they are confined to a run try hanging heads of cabbage out for them to eat it takes them a while and keeps them occupied,I do this more so in winter but mine have a half acre to forage in. Put their peas in the pool and let them dive for peas, just some things to occupy their time so they aren't thinking of feather pulling or eating. Right now I'm giving my 2 gosling heads of Romaine hung up to munch on, gosling are known for grazing on each other if bored. If they need more protein some use good quality cat kibble to add the extra to their diet. Mine didn't care for it so i use dried meal worms. but then someone mentioned putting the kibble into a bowl of water, not much kivbble maybe a small hand full to see if they like it TSC has their own brand and it's small and round which I may try next time I go there to pick up feed. .

 

[mamdoe]

Than

It happens when they are confined more than if they have space to move around more and forage like ducks would do in the wild, and she may be low man on pecking order also so of course she's going to get pecked on. Hopefully the Blue Kote will do the job and get their minds off of it. How are you keeping them? if they are confined to a run try hanging heads of cabbage out for them to eat it takes them a while and keeps them occupied,I do this more so in winter but mine have a half acre to forage in. Put their peas in the pool and let them dive for peas, just some things to occupy their time so they aren't thinking of feather pulling or eating. Right now I'm giving my 2 gosling heads of Romaine hung up to munch on, gosling are known for grazing on each other if bored. If they need more protein some use good quality cat kibble to add the extra to their diet. Mine didn't care for it so i use dried meal worms. but then someone mentioned putting the kibble into a bowl of water, not much kivbble maybe a small hand full to see if they like it TSC has their own brand and it's small and round which I may try next time I go there to pick up feed. . 

Thanks so much for your help!
The blue kote seems to have done the trick. Tho I think your right that she is on the bottom of the pecking order. She's also terrified of me now but at least she's not bleeding!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Than
Thanks so much for your help!
The blue kote seems to have done the trick. Tho I think your right that she is on the bottom of the pecking order. She's also terrified of me now

but at least she's not bleeding!

Aww good to hear the BK is working, and try some treats that will bring her around.