Lucy seems to be well healed from her ordeal with the raccoons or foxes (leaning more toward foxes) in May.
A little background:2 year old Lucy is the lone survivor of 6 ducks and 12 chickens taken out by either raccoons or foxes while being boarded at a neighbor's farm.
She molted while she was recuperating here in my home and has all new feathers. Crested black Swedish duck hen.
She is living in the house with me, and admittedly it is not as bright inside as it is outside. I am feeding her layer pellets, peas, greens, tomatoes, anything else she wants to eat, and lots of fresh water. She has enough water to wash her whole head daily, and she gets baths during the week. She loves to go outside and just sit in her pool and sun in the shade, but my husband doesn't want me to take her outside, even on a leash, because he s concerned that either our neighbors will complain that she is here, or animal control will see her and then we could get a fine for having her here and have to move her again (but not to the farm - it's not safe enough), so she doesn't go outside very often. She seems happy watching TV, chastising the dogs, bossing me and swimming in the tub.
It is legal to keep poultry and water fowl in our town as long as their 'enclosure' is at least 100 feet from the neighboring homes (not including the owner's home).
My defense is: Lucy is a caged bird, and therefore allowed. Caged birds are allowed without restriction. Since ducks are birds and this duck lives in a cage in my house, she is a caged bird and the 'enclosure' rule does not apply. She gets out of her 'cage' daily and has toys to play with and social interaction (probably more than most parrots actually get) I also found out I need a mallard permit. I am in the process of getting the pet mallard permit (it IS required in Florida if you own any duck besides a totally white colored duck or a cairina [muscovy]), so I will be legal that way, too.
I discussed Lucy's living arrangements with FL FWC director, since her living arrangements vary considerably from the FWC recommendations/requirements. He said we should be ok. If a FWC inspector shows up to inspect Lucy's living arrangements, just put her on the leash and walk her for him, and explain about her house pet status. He feels the rangers have bigger fish to fry than one person keeping one duck in the house under lock and key or walking a duck on a leash. So, I feel prepared in case the authorities show up.
The Problem: Lucy has not laid any eggs since May 4, 2012. She is 2 years old and laid eggs very regularly last year until June, then stopped until November, and restarted. But no eggs since the attack. I can tell her eggs from other duck eggs, because hers have a color change at the small end that looks like a bull's eye mark.
I felt her abdomen, but it feels soft with no lumps or anything. She is eating, drinking, bathing, pooping and sassing just fine. She even flies out of her playpen and follows me to the kitchen when she wants peas and I'm not fast enough for her. She even demands her favorite shows on TV so she seems like she is healthy. No avian vets in our area that I can afford.
Should I worry?
A little background:2 year old Lucy is the lone survivor of 6 ducks and 12 chickens taken out by either raccoons or foxes while being boarded at a neighbor's farm.
She molted while she was recuperating here in my home and has all new feathers. Crested black Swedish duck hen.
She is living in the house with me, and admittedly it is not as bright inside as it is outside. I am feeding her layer pellets, peas, greens, tomatoes, anything else she wants to eat, and lots of fresh water. She has enough water to wash her whole head daily, and she gets baths during the week. She loves to go outside and just sit in her pool and sun in the shade, but my husband doesn't want me to take her outside, even on a leash, because he s concerned that either our neighbors will complain that she is here, or animal control will see her and then we could get a fine for having her here and have to move her again (but not to the farm - it's not safe enough), so she doesn't go outside very often. She seems happy watching TV, chastising the dogs, bossing me and swimming in the tub.
It is legal to keep poultry and water fowl in our town as long as their 'enclosure' is at least 100 feet from the neighboring homes (not including the owner's home).
My defense is: Lucy is a caged bird, and therefore allowed. Caged birds are allowed without restriction. Since ducks are birds and this duck lives in a cage in my house, she is a caged bird and the 'enclosure' rule does not apply. She gets out of her 'cage' daily and has toys to play with and social interaction (probably more than most parrots actually get) I also found out I need a mallard permit. I am in the process of getting the pet mallard permit (it IS required in Florida if you own any duck besides a totally white colored duck or a cairina [muscovy]), so I will be legal that way, too.
I discussed Lucy's living arrangements with FL FWC director, since her living arrangements vary considerably from the FWC recommendations/requirements. He said we should be ok. If a FWC inspector shows up to inspect Lucy's living arrangements, just put her on the leash and walk her for him, and explain about her house pet status. He feels the rangers have bigger fish to fry than one person keeping one duck in the house under lock and key or walking a duck on a leash. So, I feel prepared in case the authorities show up.
The Problem: Lucy has not laid any eggs since May 4, 2012. She is 2 years old and laid eggs very regularly last year until June, then stopped until November, and restarted. But no eggs since the attack. I can tell her eggs from other duck eggs, because hers have a color change at the small end that looks like a bull's eye mark.
I felt her abdomen, but it feels soft with no lumps or anything. She is eating, drinking, bathing, pooping and sassing just fine. She even flies out of her playpen and follows me to the kitchen when she wants peas and I'm not fast enough for her. She even demands her favorite shows on TV so she seems like she is healthy. No avian vets in our area that I can afford.
Should I worry?
