need advice on treating ducks that were attacked

[WunnySharbit]

warning *graphic*
If the head has a gash and the beak damaged/broken, injuries under the wing or around the tail--you have a raccoon. They grab the head to crush the skull, failing that, they will grab any part of the bird they can hold on to, be it the wing, feet, tail until they can hold it down and crush it. Raccoons will also drag their victim to a secluded spot to feed. Mink/weasels may cause head damage as well, but they usually grab the back of the neck or the jugular and pre-feeding body damage is usually scratches and feather loss from the paws (front and back) gripping the body. Their kills also tend to be piled up (cached). Weasels and raccoons also tend to be solitary, but, especially this time of year, littermates that have overwintered together may hunt as a group. Depending on where you live, there could be many transient raccoons just passing through or scouting new territory. Raccoons can also squeeze into very small spaces.

The one that doesn't want to extend its neck probably has a sprain from fighting, as well as the bruising, as the raccoon will also grab the neck as it's trying to crush the head. When mine had this problem after an attack, I got a good-sized syringe from the feed store, loaded it with yummies, and fed it. When she looked for more yum, I loaded some of the medicated water with the treat. Ididn't medicate the drinking water; I wanted her to drink up to stay hydrated. I also used/made gatorade/pedialyte in the syringe-nom nom to help with electrolytes. At this stage hydration is crucial-peas are mostly water, watermelon, anything to keep fluids moving

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Yep my friend when I was a child had a duck named Fred and they lost him and 2 weeks later they found him splashing in a pond lol! They knew it was him because they had tagged him (the band with the number on it) and it was on his foot with the exact same number.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

warning *graphic*
If the head has a gash and the beak damaged/broken, injuries under the wing or around the tail--you have a raccoon. They grab the head to crush the skull, failing that, they will grab any part of the bird they can hold on to, be it the wing, feet, tail until they can hold it down and crush it. Raccoons will also drag their victim to a secluded spot to feed. Mink/weasels may cause head damage as well, but they usually grab the back of the neck or the jugular and pre-feeding body damage is usually scratches and feather loss from the paws (front and back) gripping the body. Their kills also tend to be piled up (cached). Weasels and raccoons also tend to be solitary, but, especially this time of year, littermates that have overwintered together may hunt as a group. Depending on where you live, there could be many transient raccoons just passing through or scouting new territory. Raccoons can also squeeze into very small spaces.

The one that doesn't want to extend its neck probably has a sprain from fighting, as well as the bruising, as the raccoon will also grab the neck as it's trying to crush the head. When mine had this problem after an attack, I got a good-sized syringe from the feed store, loaded it with yummies, and fed it. When she looked for more yum, I loaded some of the medicated water with the treat. Ididn't medicate the drinking water; I wanted her to drink up to stay hydrated. I also used/made gatorade/pedialyte in the syringe-nom nom to help with electrolytes. At this stage hydration is crucial-peas are mostly water, watermelon, anything to keep fluids moving

Don't see any graphic pictures...

 

[WunnySharbit]

Oh, I just meant that some more soft-hearted readers might be disturbed by graphic descriptions. I toned it down, so it wasn't quite so bad. Raccoon damage is horrible to see and even think about.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are your babies this evening @cymbaline

 

[cymbaline]

warning *graphic*
If the head has a gash and the beak damaged/broken, injuries under the wing or around the tail--you have a raccoon. They grab the head to crush the skull, failing that, they will grab any part of the bird they can hold on to, be it the wing, feet, tail until they can hold it down and crush it. Raccoons will also drag their victim to a secluded spot to feed. Mink/weasels may cause head damage as well, but they usually grab the back of the neck or the jugular and pre-feeding body damage is usually scratches and feather loss from the paws (front and back) gripping the body. Their kills also tend to be piled up (cached). Weasels and raccoons also tend to be solitary, but, especially this time of year, littermates that have overwintered together may hunt as a group. Depending on where you live, there could be many transient raccoons just passing through or scouting new territory. Raccoons can also squeeze into very small spaces.

The one that doesn't want to extend its neck probably has a sprain from fighting, as well as the bruising, as the raccoon will also grab the neck as it's trying to crush the head. When mine had this problem after an attack, I got a good-sized syringe from the feed store, loaded it with yummies, and fed it. When she looked for more yum, I loaded some of the medicated water with the treat. Ididn't medicate the drinking water; I wanted her to drink up to stay hydrated. I also used/made gatorade/pedialyte in the syringe-nom nom to help with electrolytes. At this stage hydration is crucial-peas are mostly water, watermelon, anything to keep fluids moving

Shew...yeah, after yesterday that is hard to read. The three injured but living ducks all only have wounds on their heads to upper neck - no bill damage, according to the vet, no wing injuries either. I honestly couldn't bring myself to look closely at the ones that were killed, but from what I saw it was about the same, not a lot of blood... I guess it just broke their necks. Poor Rocky's almost definitely was the way his head was hanging out of the pool By the time I found Roxy in the creek I took one look and just collapsed and lost it, so I totally have no idea with her... I didn't even see her head and neck, only her bottom sticking out of the weeds. I don't know what I would've done without the good friend who gathered them and buried them for me... there's no way in the world I could've managed that, even now.
So...*whew*... I'm still leaning toward mink/weasel from your descriptions (which info I am grateful for even if it is horrible to think about). I haven't even seen any feather damage or loss on these three past the bottom of their necks.

Anybody have any idea how much water they should be drinking each day? I'll Google it too, but if anyone knows when I should start to worry, please let me know. I gave them a fresh 3 cups of medicated water this morning, probably 10am or so, and last time I glanced it looks like they've maybe drank a cup of it? I'm about to try bathtime, I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@casportpony has that info I am pretty sure. Hope they enjoy their bath tonight!

 

[cymbaline]

Bathtime for the girls was a success. They both nibbled at the lettuce a few times, and I think Rose actually ate a piece. She also got her feathers cleaned off very well. Blanche tried some, but she's really got a lot of matted bloody feathers. She let me clean on her for a while afterward (you can see some of the spots aren't as dark), but when she was done of course I quit.
Tony wasn't that interested at first but then he really got going. I think he's got at least two punctures/small gashes. I'm curious to see how his head looks when he dries off because the whole back was a matted mess before. And I take back what I said about nothing below the neck - there's a little spot on his rump. Couldn't get a good pic, he was drying off. Also, that is probably the first time since he was a baby that he has sat in my lap unrestrained - he's a great big scaredy-duck. It didn't last long, maybe 8-10 seconds, but still...

 

[Miss Lydia]

That head looks bad or is that just the dried blood? I bet they are very sore too. Poor little things. Sounds like this bath time was much better!!

 

[Cayuga momma]

View attachment 1705256
Bathtime for the girls was a success. They both nibbled at the lettuce a few times, and I think Rose actually ate a piece. She also got her feathers cleaned off very well. Blanche tried some, but she's really got a lot of matted bloody feathers. She let me clean on her for a while afterward (you can see some of the spots aren't as dark), but when she was done of course I quit.
Tony is in the tub now - I'll add more in a few.

Awe the poor babies. I hope they heal up fast for you!