Predator attacked Duck

[BigTexChick]

Our family has been hit hard this week. Our beloved dog got very ill, but is now on the mend. Today we had a predator attack and it looks like we lost a guinea, a Wyandotte, and an English Orpington. These drakes are our boys’ pets and one was severely injured by whatever got the other fowl. The wound is very deep, seems to involve the muscle. The drake is moving around, albeit slowly, and he leaves his head tucked, but drank electrolyte solution and could pull it out of the bucket independently. Tonight, we have them inside, warm and dark. We need to be gone a big chunk of the day tomorrow (6-8 hrs). Can we leave them like this with their food and water replenished?

I cleaned the wound with saline and put NuStock in it. Feeding damp medicated chicken feed. (Should we use All Flock Raiser, like normal?)


@casportpony @WVduckchick @Eggcessive @Miss Lydia

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get a picture of the wound? For the wound, I would get either some chlorhexidene (Hibiclens,) Betadine (Equate First Aid Antiseptic,) or Vetericyn Wound Spray, and us on the wound twice a day, followed by plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment applied to the wound. Those would be better for deep wounds.

For the care of the ducks themselves, that advice would be better given by @Miss Lydia or someone else who knows duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for your losses and the injury to your drake. Yes they should be fine inside the tub while your gone. I’d stick with the all flock since that’s what they are use to. It’s amazing what ducks can heal from so hopefully your drake has a really good chance main thing to watch for is infection so I’d pluck or trim the feathers around the wounds so you can see real good what’s going on. And get pics of the wounds. Please do what @Eggcessive rec for cleaning and treating. I have Nu Stock but don’t think I’d use it for deep wounds. Warm water in the feed will be good with a dash of ACV to help keep it fresh. Please keep us updated on how he’s doing and work on getting what ever your birds were in secured what ever got them this time will surely be back. I like to call on @casportpony for more info on wound care too.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@BigTexChick - Firstly, I am so sorry for your prior losses. I HIGHLY recommend you invest in a game camera and identify this predator culprit, so you know how to go about handling and potentially dispatching the problem. We have a Wildgame Innovations camera picked up from Walmart a few years back- found a cheap camera card on sale and it runs on AA batteries. Works like a charm and don't regret having it.

@Eggcessive mentioned Vetericyn Wound Spray. Personally, we had a hen years ago adopted as a rescue because she was unwanted after a severe dog attack. This stuff took some time, but combined with other care treatments she recovered and got her feathers back even as bad as it was.

But yes, hopefully other folks weigh in and provide you with more helpful info than I can. I wish you the best of luck in catching the predator, and treating your sweet ducks.

 

[BigTexChick]

Here’s the wound. To orient the photo, you can see his right eye and part of his head and right foot.

He is more lively this morning and even quacked. He stood up and lifted his head like normal. He ate food on his own when I put it near his mouth.

I applied triple antibiotic ointment, changed to his regular food (wet and +ACV). I’ll pick up more supplies today to follow the other recommendations. Thank you so much!

They’ll be having a “spa day” in the tub while I have to be out.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to trim feathers around the wound to keep them out of it, and make it easier to treat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds very positive! Thanks for pics. Hopefully with your care (TLC) he’ll be good as new soon.

 

[casportpony]

The wound care advice you have been given so far is good, and keeping him inside like you are doing is what he needs. May I suggest that you get a baseline weight on him now then start weighing him daily to monitor for weight loss?

 

[BigTexChick]

@Miss Lydia @Eggcessive
I appreciate everyone’s encouragement. I did not think there was hope for him and was resigned to let him live his last hours with his brother in their pen last night. Then I thought to jump on here and was so encouraged by another injured duck post, I completely changed modes.

@casportpony
I’ll start tracking his weight this morning. I have an infant scale. Good idea!

@HomesteaderWife
I set traps this morning. Something bothered the chickens at 3:10 AM but I didn’t catch a glimpse. They have a strong secure coop and run. The ducks run may need more attention.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good for you! And sounds like you mode change really got him where he is now!