My girl Mildred - ninja duck

[newbyduckmom]

Yes, the milk jug definitely helped. Although a week in and she figured out how to splash out of the one I cut first, so we now have a smaller one (hole for head is smaller). The bandage stayed on last night.

Not attached to this duck, we were just in doing the "good morning" head bobbing and singing to the duck thing. If you keep in mind this human does not sing, you get an idea of where this duck is on the list. She seems to love it. So I sing! Off key....but hey, the duck likes it! Have to cheer the patient up - not sure how that doesn't it. I think it's pretty scary myself! LOL

She still won't eat out of my hand. I keep trying. If she appears to be heading for treats in the hand - she takes a bit out of me instead - and leaves the treats.

 

[newbyduckmom]

It's a very nice afternoon - sun and no rain YAY! So I took Mildred out in the grass for awhile. Then I put "sick bay" - her kennel on the back deck in the sun. She's quacking like crazy. I didn't let her in the run with the other ducks, as the drakes were aggressively pacing at the fence. Ciscoe even tried to grab her through the fence....took a few feathers. Not sure if that was a breeding thing or that she''s been away from the flock for too long. At least she got some exercise, foraged a bit, and is getting some sun. The sun does wonders for us humans, so bound to make Mildred feel better too!

She gets a swim when she comes in and rebandaged. But going to let her stay out for awhile.

She, of course, wanted in the run with the flock and then made a break for the pond. None to happy when I wouldn't let her in the pond!

 

[Marty1876]

Hi new duck mom!
I'm glad you sing to mildred!

How did her foot look this morning? Any drainage? Any swelling? I sort of feel a sense of responsibility for her now, so I like to know how she is.

Hows the Duck Mama doing? I have a baby duck with hatching issues I'm tending, but hopefully he'll take a tip from Mildred, and hang in there in hopes of futre peas. LOL.

I take it as a positive that Mildred cheers up outside. I'm sure she'll be happy, like you, to be back in the flock. What kind of duck is Mildred?

 

[newbyduckmom]

Mildred is a Khaki Campbell. Loud, high strung, and demanding. Don't be late letting her out of the duck house or she will be standing on the waterer, looking out the window, and quacking at the top of her little ducky lungs! I am missing that those days and will be so glad when she can do it again. Even if it is only 7:03 am and I am normally letting them out at 7 am...QUACK QUACK QUACK (always a sequence of three)...LOL

Just changed her dressing. Some drainage, hard to discern as very little color to it. No swelling in the foot - top or bottom. Scabs on both wounds today. She got a healthy dose of bag balm on outer edges, neosporin, new bandage and some peas and is result comfortably after her outting and sunshine......I hesitate to say it, but this is day 7 since surgery.....

Each time I take the bandage off I am scared to look. But....it's looking...dare I say it after 12 weeks of this....good. The swelling that seemed to be there day before yesterday is gone today.


Hope your ducklings are okay! Someday I'd like to hatch a few too!

 

[Marty1876]

I think Mildred is on the mend. You are a wonderful Duck Mama, and desearve lots of Kudos!

I thought she was a Khaki, I keep them too. Yes, they are loud and demanding, excellent foragers (which leads to foot issues sometimes), but such dependable layers, and so good at catching snails! Do you have a Khaki Campbell flock? When Mildred is better, I'd like to buy some of her fertile eggs, and add them to my flock. It would be nice to have the eggs of a long distance patient!

Is Snohomish County anywhere near Coleville? My brother in law lives there. We'll be up in that area at Christmas.

I'd let her continue her swims, and continue the neosporine cream for about 3 more days, then just stick to the bag balm for a further week. I think, weather allowing, let her go outside days. In a week, if the scab is good and thick, or better, coming off, I'd surrendor your patient to outdoors in the dog crate (in the duck pen) to get them used to her again. When the scabs are good and solid, discontinue bandaging if she's barely draining- mostly clear-a REALLY GREAT SIGN! as soon as the first scabs come off, I think you can let her go, and just catch her every couple of days to check on her. If she continues in the clear, do a happy dance, and wait for eggs!

 

[newbyduckmom]

I have 4 Khaki's. 2 ducks and 2 drakes and 1 Magpie Drake, and 1 Magpie duck.

Colville is in the Northeastern part of the state. We are north east of Seattle by about about 40 miles north of Seattle. East of Everett.

I haven't done anything (other than eat) the eggs at this point, but would like to. The ducks are mixed so, I would have to arrange breeding pens to get pure Khaki eggs. Would like to do that with the Magpies for myself. But haven't done anything as of yet. Have to see if I can talk the spouse into it.

Will do coach! I SO appreciate your help. I was getting to the point of feeling pretty helpless when you chimed in and offered to help.

The bad news is my other Khaki looks like she is getting a bumble....bag balm and neosporin on the way. QUICK!

 

[Marty1876]

Maybe you should disallow the brambles as duck landscape. They are so tough, even ducks have issues. Usually, they aren't as hard as Mildreds to heal, just notice right away which end it entered from, so you can try to remove the matter quickly from the right way.

If you can keep your ducks seperated for three weeks, they will be pure then. Just hatch all the eggs from everyone (only sit them once or twice a week in groups in your incubator!!!) for a month or two, then back togather in time for high summer!

I wish I had magpies! Right now I sell my eggs, so I stick to Khakis (for us and a few customers) and Pekings for the oriental food store, and some private buyers who use them in special traditional receipes.... (don't ask

)

I also have some old friends in seattle.... small world. Best of luck with Mildred, I'll keep checking back just cause I'm curious about her outcome. If you should ever need any further duckie homeopathic guidance, just PM me!

 

[newbyduckmom]

I just went in to change Mildred's bandage. The scabs came off. No swelling. Could it be? Yippee!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Miss Lydia, Amiga, Marty, and everyone else who has helped through this very long process! I probably will keep her in for another couple of days just to be sure, but it looks like it's gone!
Honeslty, folks, I am so grateful. I have tears in my eyes!

 

[Amiga]

 

[Marty1876]

How wonderful! Great Work!