Preening gland damaged...

[crc310]

She’s staying in our basement for a few weeks. Then should I put her crate in the garage to slowly get her adjusted to the cold again, before putting her back outside?

 

[Kkrista123]

I'd actually let her into the water when it's warm. She's a duck, it'd be cruel to never let her near water at all. Getting wet won't hurt her any as long as she can dry out and stay warm after.

x2 when it is nice out, let her swim. If it's warm out she'll dry off normally.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You think something got into you pen and attacked her? What about hardware around the sides and top ? There are ways to fortify then you won’t have to build a roof or you could place a solid structure over part along with the hardware cloth. All the money you have spent getting her through this means you care. But if you don’t make your coop and pen secure what ever got her this time will be back. Do you have friends or family who have scrap building material laying around? When we built onto our coop I was amazed at how many said you can have this and that if you just come and pick it up. Plus I believe there are places like Craig’s list etc that list free stuff. Pallets behind Lowe’s or Home Depot?

 

[crc310]

We found out we had a rat that chewed a hole in the shed a few weeks ago and have been trying to catch it since. I believe it was a weasel or mink that got in and attacked her (I found a very fresh weasel like poop and blood near the hole). I have been trying to catch the rat without luck (haven’t seen evidence of the rat since the attack). I’ve since covered the hole it chewed in the coop. The vet said I would need to keep her in a weatherproof enclosure which is why I need a roof. I usually use a tarp but last winter, I didn’t get the snow off fast enough and it collapsed the top fence (I’ve made a temporary partial roof but need something permanent. The ducks/ chickens are free range. This was the first time something got them inside the coop as it is very secure. The pen is only used for daytime shelter when the weather is bad. I may have to do a tarp roof again this year. As long as I clear the snow before it gets too heavy, it works.

 

[crc310]

I was given old wooden fencing which is what I’ve used for some winter protection and a partial roof and walls.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Same happened here we put a shade cloth over our small pond because in the summer the sun about boils our gold fish well I forgot to take it down and after our last snow which was only 10" but it about collapsed the lattice under the shade cloth so now we have to replace the lattice before putting the shade cloth back up. There always seems there is something to fix or do when we have animals to keep them safe. Go on the Michigan thread and get to know your neighbors I bet there are members who would love to help you out. That's what were here for.

 

[crc310]

I’ve been in contact with a duck rescue since I got ducks a year ago about some issues. He offered to take her. I’m seriously considering it... I need to think about what is best for her. She will live in a large (new) barn that was designed for the old, injured or any duck that wants to be inside! They get all medical care and he rehabs wild and domestic waterfowl. If she does recover fully, there’s a huge pond outside. They are amazing people! That leaves me with 2 drakes and 3 hens... I really don’t want to add another single but feel adding 2 would be too much for the space I have. I have some major decisions to make now. Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So nice you have that close. Please keep us updated on her.

 

[crc310]

I will. I need to decide soon... the sooner the better. They are about 1.5 hours each way, not too bad. Drove just as far to find a home for a lost pigeon someone found

 

[Miss Lydia]

Would they take the drake that came with her so you won’t have more than one drake?