Scalped Duckling (photo)

[kim27]

Got a new duckling and it quickly got scalped with a cracked skull. What do you think the poor fellows chances are?

 

[Stiggy]

If its still eating and drinking, with no nurological damage/ infection then good. however I would advise taking it to the vet just to be sure, also the vet will recommend on how to treat it/ clean its wounds and what to feed it etc. It will need antibiotics most likely to keep of any infection, and it will need to be dressed to keep it clean.

 

[kim27]

Thanks Stiggy. It is a bit surprising what creatures can live through.

 

[hollykaster]

We had a chicken that went through the sale thing - we ended up changing her name to scalp! She did fine. ... It was pecked just as much or more than your duck. We kept her away from the others until it was totally healed and then very slowly reintroduced her. She never grew feathers back on the top of her head but she was healthy and pretty, even bald!

 

[buckbye]

Sorry, I'm no help, but how did that even happen?

 

[kim27]

Sorry, I'm no help, but how did that even happen?

I think it was an aggressive chicken, but the wife thinks it was our dog. We didn't see it happen, so we aren't positive on how it happened.

 

[Stiggy]

How is the duckling looking now?

 

[kim27]

The little guy seems to be doing okay.

 

[happyhens1972]

I rescued eight red legged partridge from a roadside ditch after their mother was killed by a car. They were only days old. They all got along just fine until I put them in the outside coop at around 6 to 7 weeks. Then there was some bickering and one poor lady ended up looking just like your duck....I was horrified! I assumed the vet would insist on euthanasia but actually, he sprinkled her head with an antiseptic powder and that was it, not even any anti biotics. She healed in a few weeks and went on to be a very happy, healthy (bald) adult partridge who finally flew the coop and went back to the wild when she was around 4 months old. She was the last to leave admittedly and she hung around for a while, occasionally coming back into the pen to take advantage of the food supply but she went eventually and I've not seen her since.

 

[kim27]

Duckling seems to be doing quite well.