Lost Flipper to Unknown Predator

[Duckworth]

They look very much better. Poor Nipper, can be see out of that eye?

I think she can. The vet said he saw no actual damage to their eyes. Apparently, their eyes can sink into their heads some to avoid damage.

 

[Duckworth]

It’s amazing actually after what you found that night. They look great! If you have deep bedding in their house they should be fine sleeping out tonight.

They do have deep bedding and it isn't terribly cold tonight. I keep going out to check on them. A little PTSD reaction on my part. They seem happier outside. Tomorrow, I will put up the last of the new wire on their pen so they can be secure during the day and into the evening if we are out past dark.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can imagine I have never had an attack like that and I have woke up after midnight and had to go check and make sure I closed the pop door knowing full well I did but I just can’t help myself. Hoping all is well this morning when you go out

 

[Duckworth]

I can imagine I have never had an attack like that and I have woke up after midnight and had to go check and make sure I closed the pop door knowing full well I did but I just can’t help myself. Hoping all is well this morning when you go out

They all look happy this morning. We got another egg, but had to trash it. One more week until we can eat them.

Nipper and FG this morning.

FG's head looking like new

I thought I took some of Flipper, but apparently not. She looks like her old self.

We put water in the house with them last night, since they have been used to having it all the time while indoors. When I changed it out and put it back in their pen, the hole in the straw where the bucket had been frozen in place makes it somthe bucket top is close to ground level. As soon as I put the newly filled bucket back in the hole, Nipper waddled over and started drinking and presented herself and FG mounted her. The survival instinct is very strong in these ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Isn’t that the truth. And they are beauties. Look great! And ready for a fun day outside! You’ve done a fantastic job labor of love getting them back to where they are today!!

 

[WVduckchick]

Beautiful ducks! Glad they are recuperating well.

 

[Duckworth]

Nipper is looking amazing, given that everything from behind her eyes forward was a mass of blood.

 

[Duckworth]

A couple of update pictures of Nipper. She is either still swollen around her right lower jaw or she had a crush injury to her upper right face. She still sputters and blows a bit when she dunks her head in the water, so I’m guessing that she either has swelling around her sinuses or has a structural change due to the injury. Either way, she still looks amazingly good.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She does look good. No drainage from her nares? How does this place feel? Just hoping infection isn’t in there. Do you have follow up at the vet?

 

[DaSouthernYankee]

There’s been a narrow gap at the bottom of the door since the ice has built up. I noticed it this morning, but couldn’t get the ice scraped away to get it to close tighter. That may have been it. Flipper was always our guard duck, so she probably died trying to protect the others.

Omg my heart just broke at this thought! Sounds like my bonbon, protecting the pack (because a quack is a pack) there is a special place in ducky heaven for your sweet solider!!! I’ll be praying for the rest of your flock and hope you start feeling a little better!!