Injured ducks won't eat

[nathanmouse]

I have three pekin ducks, four days ago a mink got into their coop and slashed their necks. Luckily they have all made it this far and their wounds are healing, the vet has given antibiotics and pain killers taken daily. They are living in the house right now so I can keep them clean and monitor them, and they are drinking and seem to be in decent spirits. Problem is they arent eating. At least not much. Ever since they got back from the vet I can only coax the drake to take the odd nibble, and all of them (i think) are doing mint green liquidy poops. I am rather worried. I put some peas in their water and so they do get the occasional pea, but thats the best Im able to do.

Ps - the mink was surprisingly easy to catch. We started finding dead mice in the laundry room and were quite upset to know that it had found its way inside the house, the sneaky bugger. But we set a live trap and it was caught in less than an hour.

 

[Pyxis]

Poor guys are probably not feeling well, but they do need to eat. Did the vet give you anything to give them for pain? Have you tried to entice them with something really delicious, like live mealworms?

If it comes down to it, would you be willing to tube feed them until they are eating on their own?

 

[nathanmouse]

As I said, they are on painkillers, and I have tried enticing them with peas, but with only a little success. I would be willing to do a feeding tube but I would like to keep that option as worst case scenario. I shall try bugs or slugs, something moving, it might attract their attention more.

 

[CarleeAnn]

Are you feeding dry or wet food? Maybe serving them a mush would be more enticing/easier for them to eat. Even with painkillers they may be somewhat sore or stiff and have trouble eating hard food.

 

[nathanmouse]

Are you feeding dry or wet food? Maybe serving them a mush would be more enticing/easier for them to eat. Even with painkillers they may be somewhat sore or stiff and have trouble eating hard food.

I have though about that tonight, I cant believe it. They have injured necks and I have been giving them food and water in trays on the ground. Of course they dont want to bend their necks down to it. Ugh. What type of mush would you recommend? Duck food mixed with water? Baby food?

 

[chickens really]

Duck feed with warm water like a soupy mess...

 

[CarleeAnn]

Duck feed with warm water like a soupy mess...

Ditto^

Just make sure to add just enough water to where the food turns mushy- my ducks don’t like if there’s too much water because their food will settle at the bottom and the water changes color, I would just do an equal amount of water as food, maybe 1/4 cup more water. And set it up on some rocks or something so the don’t have to bend down so much.

 

[nathanmouse]

Update - so sir francis (drake) can reliably be coaxed to eat - just has to be fed from my hand for some reason. I have got jemima to try a nibble too. Georgiana is still quite reluctant. All are drinking though.

 

[CayugaJana]

Maybe try putting some warm water and meal worms in a blender for the reluctant one?