Urgent Duck Injury and Odd Behavior

[Jess0217]

Hi! I have 4 ducks (3 female 1 male) who were all hatched in April 2017. On Saturday night I found my blue swed named Chico with a good portion of her tail feathers picked out. We took her inside and found out she did it to her self. She picked out a lot of feathers off her butt, a little under the wings and near the base of her neck. She was bloody and shaking. We have had her in the house ever since keeping a close eye and applying neosporin once a day. None of the others have done it and today she has started hissing at me and my other family members when we get near the shower (where we put her). What’s left of her feathers will fluff up and she’ll come at us hissing and almost coughing. She is still picking st some of her feathers as well. Not as bad but it’s still happening. Any suggestions!?

 

[kesrchicky16]

No idea. Maybe the duck experts can help. @Ravynscroft @WVduckchick @casportpony @chickens really

 

[Ravynscroft]

Are you certain she did it to herself? Could be that others started it and she is picking at the irritations...

But it does sound like she might have external parasites bothering her... I would check her over very carefully for lice or mites...

 

[chickens really]

Sounds like. a predator got her..Now she is scared...Only thing I can think of is a weasel?...

 

[Jess0217]

Yes I’m certain she did it to herself. She continued doing it after we brought her in. And I’m not sure about the parasites, wouldn’t the others start doing it??? And no it’s not a predator. I live in Wyoming and I’m not sure we even have weasels at this elevation the only predator that is around right now is a Fox we’ve seen but he hasn’t gone near the enclosure and there’s no signs of him trying to get in either

 

[chickens really]

In Wyoming you do have weasels, mink, raccoons...She is preening herself not trying to injure herself..Try bathing her in a Luke warm bath...

 

[chickens really]

Is the run covered?...Ravens or other Birds of prey?...

 

[Jess0217]

Yes it’s covered and We did, we gave her a warm bath a few times and she is still nibbling on herself and the wounds. Not nearly as abd as when we first found her but

 

[chickens really]

Without seeing your set up its really a guessing game here on our end..