Injured muscovy

[DotandDave]

@DotandDave we need more people like you!

Thanks Miss Lydia !!!

 

[DotandDave]

So an update...Simon has moved back outside at night now. He has his own box inside the chook house, where he won’t be pecked at. I’d rather him with his ducks but there’s no room for his box in the duck house. His wound is healing well. His wing is still angel- like but okay.

His leg is still dragging - sadly no improvement. Does anyone know where I can get one of those neoprene boots for his foot pls? I’m in Australia.

Anyway, I’m trying to reintegrate him back into his flock slowly. The others pick on him and he’s frightened. So he’s still pretty much separated but can see the others.

I hope he can improve enough to be loved by the others again. But I have the space and time to help him if he’s not.

The story has taken a new turn. And there’s a small chance I can use it to help poor Simey.

After Simon’s attack, I wanted to get another drake to help the 2 juveniles, which was what Simon was doing. So we got another duck, on the advice that we should have all males. Great. Well it turns out our new drake is a hen....but the 2 juvenile drakes haven’t worked it out yet.

We’ve had the new hen (Penny) for a couple of weeks now. She’s about the same age as Simon. She gets along great with the juvenile drakes. Anyway, today Penny is starting to nest, getting ready to lay. She’s also expressed interest in poor Simey, who just freaks when they go near him. I let Penny ruffle Simon a little. He freaked but I want him to learn it’s okay. I get that he’s still recovering, getting used to 1 good leg and being picked on. I give him occasional brief moments with the others and watch him like a hawk.

I don’t doubt it’ll take him a long time to recover and that being amorous is the last thing on his mind. But is there a chance I can use Penny’s affection to allow him back into the flock gradually?

Any advice on reintegration would be much appreciated. Thanks heaps

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think Penny is going to be trouble for your 3 drakes and Simey especially. Him, being lame is going to make him a target for the other 2 drakes because when testosterone hits them and there is a female there will be fighting and poor Penny she'll be over bred too having 2 amorous drakes and 1 lame one after her. Maybe you should consider just giving her and Simon their own space together since in his condition he couldn't over mate her like the 2 other drakes can. Drakes are not gentlemen when it comes to mating.

The ratio is always be at least 2-5 females to each drake. The more the better

 

[DotandDave]

Thanks Lydia. I know drakes can be rough, esp with a lame duck and 1 hen betw them. Penny was meant to be a boy - just my luck lol.

I’ll give Simon some more time separated and just introduce Penny slowly - without the others. I gather Simon will be lame for the rest of his life and will need his own house.

When I realised Penny is a girl, I figured she can’t stay with the 2 juvenile drakes forever. I’ve still got a little time left up my sleeve. So am hoping to pair off Simon and Penny in their own space eventually.

The chook house is open during the day for the hens to come and go when they want to lay. So Penny can use the nesting boxes there for now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like a good plan. Hope Penny and Simon hit it off great.

 

[DotandDave]

Thx me too

 

[DotandDave]

All has been going well for Simon. Wound healing. Even slight movement in his leg today. He was starting to be accepted again.

Major setback this arv. Someone has pecked him savagely. Wound has reopened and pecking on his good wing too.

So back to square one for the poor bloke. Back on antibiotics and kept inside so he doesn’t get flyblown again.

I had just made a follow up vet appt for this Tues coming. Looks like we start again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Poor guy, I hope he can make a come back again. He may just have to be kept separated for good but where he can still see the flock. Hopefully with a buddy.

Seems when one is down they all pick up on it, like in the wild they would most likely run off a sick or wounded one to keep predators at bay.

 

[DotandDave]

Yeah thx he’s picked up again today. Wound healing well again.

Some great news - movement in his leg!! I saw him stretch it right out today.

Off to the vet on Tues to see if we can splint it better for him. Get him walking again. I’m really thrilled he may get his leg back in time.

He may have to spend a long time isolated from the others. But I’ll get him healthy again.

I’d really love more land - so I can provide a respite home for injured animals. I just love healing animals.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great news!!
Hope the vet can help.

I'd love to do the same, I'd love to be able to be a rescue.