Old fashioned Broody thread for ducks 2013 edition

[Miss Lydia]

At 4 o'clock this morning I awoke to Francine squawking. I ran out to her pen to find a skunk inside with her. I couldn't get to her the skunk was in between us and Francine couldn't get out!!! I had to go get my husband to help. We finally got the skunk to leave the pen but not before the damage was done. We brought Francine into the house, she is very bloody and I can't tell where she is bleeding from. I checked the nest this morning for the remainder egg and it too had "hatched" but died sometime last night?

Holly I think you might be onto something about the snakes. We do have bull snakes and rattlesnakes out where we live and Francine built her nest in the middle of an evergreen bush so I'm sure she has had some visitors, what you're thinking makes sense. This is Francine's first time to sit, I have read about using the plastic totes for nesting now and I am going to put some in the main pen just in case I have another duck get broody. I wish I had done that sooner, I was under the impression runners don't typically go broody(not under that impression anymore). I sure appreciate every ones help over the last week or so, I'm just sick about what has happend. When Francine recovers, if she wants to try again, I'm game but I'm not letting her nest outside of the main pen EVER again!

O h my gosh I hope she is not injured to badly.. please keep us updated.. and yes NEVER let a duck brood outside, sorry you had to learn the hard way.. and sorry for the loss of the ducklings.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Aww, you have been thru it. You're going to want to get Francine into a bath, do Epsom salt water in your sink and inspect her closely. You might want to start a new thread so more duck folks see it. The Natural Chicken Keepers have great advice on dealing with wounds too, you might get ideas from them too.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I gave 3 ducklings to a man with a pond for him to raise along with his daughter. He is poultry experienced and had the set up so I felt confident that they were going to a good home. The 3 still here are super funny, there is no way to keep them and mom separate from the flock anymore. They seem to be fitting in just fine.

 

[Buckas]

Aww, you have been thru it.

You're going to want to get Francine into a bath, do Epsom salt water in your sink and inspect her closely. You might want to start a new thread so more duck folks see it. The Natural Chicken Keepers have great advice on dealing with wounds too, you might get ideas from them too.

Thanks Holly, I found a thread yesterday about a skunk attack (5yrs ago) and asked about the outcome and what she did to help her duck through. I am waiting for a response but I think I will do what you advise with the Epsom. I have been letting her rest in a quiet room in the house, she is even more freaked out than usual and I figured she needed time to settle down before I start messing with her too much. She wouldn't eat or drink yesterday, hopefully today will be better. I can clearly see a puncture wound on the back of her head, that's not good.

 

[Buckas]

Francine Buckas 7-29-12 to 8-23-13

 

[Blondiega1]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Francine Buckas 7-29-12 to 8-23-13

She died?? oh my gosh I'm so sorry

 

[Buckas]

I went to get her to try the Epsom bath like Holly suggested and found her resting peacefully. Big hugs to all of you who helped me through her broodiness. I was hoping for a much happier ending that included ducklings but I'm sure this won't be the last time I visit this thread for advice on Old Fashion Brooding.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I went to get her to try the Epsom bath like Holly suggested and found her resting peacefully. Big hugs to all of you who helped me through her broodiness. I was hoping for a much happier ending that included ducklings but I'm sure this won't be the last time I visit this thread for advice on Old Fashion Brooding.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

So sorry Buckas... Had hoped it would turn out so differently for you & Francine.