Straw frozen to ducks butt

[Dancinbaer]

Sorta funny but not. My male has a clump of straw frozen to his butt. He must have been laying in the straw and pooped, then it froze to him. I tried pulling it off but didn't want to pull any feathers out. He and the female keep biting on it.

Can I cut it off by using a scissors to the feathers? I guess I could let them in the house until it's loose enough, but would rather not bring them in. May take to long to thaw and they always poop in the house if allowed in for an extended time.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[Going Quackers]

hmmm.. you know i'd probably be inclined to take a small basin and see if you can loosen it, if the drake is tame you should be able too.. i would then dry him down, or a damped cloth, cutting? i wouldn't want the feather loss if it's cold plus you likely cannot see underneath the feathers so cutting the bird is a risk.

 

[Dancinbaer]

hmmm.. you know i'd probably be inclined to take a small basin and see if you can loosen it, if the drake is tame you should be able too.. i would then dry him down, or a damped cloth, cutting? i wouldn't want the feather loss if it's cold plus you likely cannot see underneath the feathers so cutting the bird is a risk.

Good points about the feather loss (temps are dipping in the single digits) AND cutting the bird. I'll try the small basin. Maybe put some water in the laundry sink in the basement and let him sit in that for a few minutes. Thanks for the idea!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good points about the feather loss (temps are dipping in the single digits) AND cutting the bird. I'll try the small basin. Maybe put some water in the laundry sink in the basement and let him sit in that for a few minutes. Thanks for the idea!!

Hopefully he was dry when you put him back outside or he'd be frozen again.

 

[mothergooz]

I'd have somebody hold him still and turn on a hand held hairdryer and blow warm air on his butt. That should warm up whatever is frozen to him and it may drop off or you can losen it with some additional warm water.

Then blow dry him off and send him on his way.

 

[Amiga]

I think a lukewarm bath would be the least stressful solution, and give him time to dry off before setting him back outside.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I think a lukewarm bath would be the least stressful solution, and give him time to dry off before setting him back outside.

X2

 

[Dancinbaer]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Went out this morning to check on the ducks and found the female also had a big clump of straw and poop froze on her butt. So......duck bath time. Soked them till the clump came off then dried them with a towel the best we could. And I thought dog and cat owners were a little excessive.

 

[Going Quackers]

Hey we do what we have too! that is what keeping animals is all about.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Went out this morning to check on the ducks and found the female also had a big clump of straw and poop froze on her butt. So......duck bath time. Soked them till the clump came off then dried them with a towel the best we could. And I thought dog and cat owners were a little excessive.

best to keep it amongst ourselves.